Audion Silver Night PX-25 vs. Almarro 318B vs....

Hi Greg,

The guy who I bought my JMR Twins from used a 2A3 SET with them and loved it, but I just cannot see 2-3wpc ever working for me. They will run out of gas on complex or dynamic passages of music.

I'm glad you gave a reference point of EL-84's. I have not heard the AN amp, but I have heard Almarro's A205A EL-84 SET and it is absolutely superb. I actually mean it is one of the best sounding amps I have ever heard, regardless of price. There is something just "right" about it's tonality and focus.

The A318B is going to be much closer to the EL-84 sound than not. The 6C33B tubes are incredibly clear and transparent, like a 2A3, but not as absolute. I like to think of it as tonal purity because there is almost no artificial coloration. To me, they get as close to literal reproduction as possible with seeming like a microscope. Yet, they still create that special tube/SET spatial environment.

The PX-25 will be kind of similar, but more vivid in it's tonal presentation. The best description I've ever read of the PX-25 was a magazine review where it stated that "Notes seem to be lit from within". It comes close to the focus of a 2A3, but just a hint more tonal warmth. It's different type of presentation.

Your OTO SE w/ the JMR's might be a terrific combination. At 10wpc, it will give you a good indication of how 6wpc will work.

A Manley Stingray would kick ass with the JMR's.

I suspect that you haven't really heard at all what an Almarro 318B can sound like until you put in Mullard Brown Base ECC33 and CV569 (ECC35) tubes (previoulsy it sounded dull to me) (both comparisons done with 6C33 Svetlana power tubes - better sounding than Sovtek)

I owned both the Cary 300SEI and Almarro 318B at the same time. For me, the sound with the Mullards was much richer than what I got through the Cary 300SEI with old stock Western Electric tubes. As for comparing the Almarro 318B with the Mullard brown base tubes mentioned to the Silver Night, I haven't made that one.

09-18-10: Plangco
I suspect that you haven't really heard at all what an Almarro 318B can sound like until you put in Mullard Brown Base ECC33 and CV569 (ECC35) tubes

You're right, can't say I heard that combination. I've only heard it with the stock compliment, but it was definitely not a "dull" presentation by any measure.

I owned both the Cary 300SEI and Almarro 318B at the same time. For me, the sound with the Mullards was much richer than what I got through the Cary 300SEI with old stock Western Electric tubes.

Wow, that is surprising to hear. I had the 300SEI for a very short period and it was so over-the-top rich sounding, that I eventually grew tired of it's hyper-reality and loose bass. The midrange was definitely luscious, or possibly even "over-ripe" depending on one's taste.

Returning to the Greg_p's question about tubed integrated amps to pair with Reynaud Trentes or Twins(I would take Trentes or even better Offrandes), Audiomat products have to be added into consideration. Check any of Bob Neil's online Enjoy The Music or Positive Feedback reviews for how they perform with Reynauds.

There is an Arpege Reference and a Prelude Reference for sale here in Audiogon right now(I have no connection).