90db, 7ohm speakers: tube amp recommendations?


HI,

I have the new Tyler Acoustics Decade D1's, and they sound very, very nice (still breaking in, but so far, couldn't be more pleased). I was considering a tube amp with them, would be paired with my McCormack ALD-1 Revision Gold+. I was thinking about a lower-powered push/pull design, something with over 20 watts obviously, but I don't need a ton of power for these. Room is around 400 square feet. Any good ideas? Budget is $2000 or so (used). Saw a Canary 301 that had been upgraded (22wpc, lots of current capability) but it sold very quickly. I was also considering higher powered KT-88 designs, but have been told that I may do better with a a bit lower powered amp, vs, say a ARC VT-100 MKii.

Looking for a fairly full, musical sound, but not too bloomy or warm. These speakers are extremely transparent yet musical, and I want to continue in that direction; a bit of tube fullness, but with no loss of soundstage or detail. It will be more or less to try: my upgraded (by SMC) McCormack DNA-125 amp currently sounds superb, but it would be nice to try something else for a bit.

dawgcatching
I was told the minimum impedance is around 7ohm, nominal is 8ohm, with a flat curve that is "easy to drive". I haven't seen specs on them, but from listening so far, they are driven very well with my little 125wpc SS amp, whereas my previous speakers needed more juice.
Dawgcatching, most tube amps (including the M-60s) will drive that fine with no worries.
Agree with SBank. The Atma-spheres would work great. Or, for a bit less, and currently selling for only $1,450 on sale, the Music Reference MR10 MKII - 35 watts with EL84 tubes - both great designers and wonderful gear. Can't tell you which you would like better. But you can't go worng with either with those speakers.
Quicksilver Monoblocks - they're available used for within your price range. Really wonderful amps - even my relatively ancient KT-88 monoblocks are pretty amazing driving 89db efficient Studio 20's. Word to the wise - always retube used amps -have no idea why so many tube amps only have "around" 200 hours on the tubes - must be a pretty rough couple of hundred.
>>Word to the wise - always retube used amps<<

No don't do that.

Only retube if necessary.