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Are mono tube amps my best choice?

I own a Denon 5910 multi disc player as my only source, which I’ve been running into a Burson buffer gain device, and then through two separate passive volume controls. From there I’ve been feeding my four B&K M200 mono amps to my Silverline Grandeur ll speakers. This setup actually sounds pretty nice.

Because my M200s are now over twenty years old, I’m thinking about switching to mono tube amps. I’ve never had tubes in anything I’ve owned. Because my wife and I watch movies (and listen to music), I don’t have space in the middle of the room for a single amp (only 4 inches of height). My stands, passive preamp, and wiring are geared for mono amps.

I live near Sacramento, California, and emailed Min at tubeaudiolab with my room specs and setup to see what he thought would work best. He recommended a pair of mono amps with Kt 88 tubes that produce approximately 60 watts per channel. From the reviews I’ve seen, it appears Min makes some pretty good equipment.

I’m hoping for some Audiogon wisdom to show me the way. Am I making the right choice switching to tube amps? I don’t want to spend more than $2000.
kevine
unsound
7,332 posts
 
Kevine,
The issue of tube Watts vs. ss Watts had been disussed ad naseum here, you might want to check the archives. Your speakers certainly appear as though you might not need the all the power you previously had, but your proposed change is quite significant.
rodman99999
6,171 posts
 
Even at a sensitivity of 93.5db(2.83V), I wouldn't bother with a 9wpc amp(or pair) for viewing movies with your speakers. There just couldn't be enough bass drive for any realism. You never mentioned what listening levels you enjoy(BTW). Yes- It's true that tube amps seem more powerful than SS, for a given power rating. Whether this is because they clip more gracefully(no square waves or high, odd order distortion), or have more reserve Joules(do to the higher operating voltages)in the power supply, isn't really fully understood. Something you might consider though: Using tubes for your mids/highs, and a pair of your existing amps for the bottom end. You're using two attenuators anyway. Are they stereo? If so- You could try that with Min's SET(though I'd still recommend something around 60wpc).
jig
160 posts
 
I think the person you should be asking is the designer of the speakers and not a tube designer you have taken a liking too. I would ask Alan Yun at Silverline what he thinks. Personally, I think 9 watts driving Dynaudio drivers is way to little.
kevine OP
38 posts
 
Thank you for your input.

I emailed Alan at Silverline, and am waiting for his response, which I will post as soon as he replies.

Thank you, Kevin
rleff
1,065 posts
 
Do you want to run tubes on the entire speaker or keep the B&K's for the bass modules and tubes on the mid and high frequencies?
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