Powerful Tube Amp for SF Strads?

I have owned the Stardivarius for sometime and I could not find a tube amplifier that mated well with them. Although they sounded nice with tubes, after you hear the scale and dynamics of these speakers with a good power amplifier such as a Krell FPB700 or a cj Premier 350 you find you regret what you are missing with tubes.
Since you have an ACT2 I would suggest a Premier 350 - they can be found at nice prices at audiogon. Also consider factory upgrading your ACT2 to series 2 - it is expensive, but worthwhile. The new preamp is more musical and is even more spatial than the previous one and will match perfectly with the Stradivarius.

Hi Microstrip

Thanks for your advice. I will upgrade to Act 2.2 at some point. I have recommended to audition the Gryphon Antileon Signature.

Though SS, it is 150wpc pure Class A, and apparently "ends the discussion" about tube v solid state. I am starting to consider select SS models now having spoken with many people about certain SS makes.

Lloydelee...I have two Cary V12 tube mono's I'll let go for $4500 if interested...David

Lloyd

Have you got anything yet??

Have had my Strads for about four or so years and used them with a LAMM L2 Reference/ML2s from the outset, but about 18 months ago I really felt that ultimately this was not the best match in my medium sized listening room.

I also have a pair of McIntosh 275IV's (with LAMM LL2 DeLuxe Pre) and a pair of Audiovalve Baldur 70's (with Eclipse Pre) - both these more high powered alternatives are excellent with the Strads as well......but the Unison Research Reference Preamp and Monoblocs wth Strads are to me simply something else.

The URR has never been mentioned on Audiogon other than by me prior to my receiving my units (one lone reply from a dealer!!). They are really worth checking out if you are seeking a new tube amp for your Strads.

Perhaps this follows the fact that they have only been reviewed in Italian and German publications, with just the one in Hi Fi Choice (The Collection 2007).