Tube amp to drive Tyler Decade D1's?

My response to the question is a bit different. I own the Signature Speakers from Ty. My setup is the Audio Horizons 2.1 fully tricked out and two Classe CA-150's with a Audio Research CD-3 MkII as the source. I am extremely pleased with the music. I enjoy Irish music, rock and classical. I suspect that the Decades will sound better. I would encourage you to try tubes in the preamp and solid state for amps. Hope this helps. Steve

I have been using the 50 watt Mystere integrated (KT88's) with the D2's for several days now and the sound is beautiful but I think the D2's really benefit from an amp that can take control of the woofers. I liked the Mystere on previous speakers because it created a very full and spacious sound on less than full range speakers. With the D2's being full range speakers they are already very full and spacious on their own so I feel like the 50 KT88 watts are really not letting the bass response of these speakers live up to their potential. Everything else is great though. I loved the Mystere with my previous Tyler Linbrook Monitors and I suspect tubes would do great with either the D3's or D4's.

My suggestion for D2's (and D1's as well but I have not heard them) would be either a more powerful tube amp than what I am using, something that can really grab hold of the woofers, or solid state. I have also been using ice amps and I absolutely love that combination with the D2's. With class D the woofers are in iron fisted control. It's really astonishing what deep, quality bass will do in regards to a 3-dimension, enveloping sound. Keep in mind it's not just about bass response either, even in the midrange and high end I prefer the ice amps over tubes with the D2's because of the clear, resolving, un-etched sound. With previous speakers I preferred tubes over class D. With D2's I prefer class D. I don't have a class A or AB amp on hand to experiment with and I'm sure there are plenty of great combinations in that arena as well. Keep in mind too these comments are based on 4 days of listening with fully broken in D2's. Hope this helps.

I've got the Linbrook Signature system and have tried a few different amps, including a Rogue Audio 90 watt tube amp.

The best match I've found so far was using a Pass Labs X150.5. This amp delivers the control and power I need plus some of the tube characteristics that I like.

What is your budget? I have Ty's D4's and using a Rogue Tempest II with good success. My last speaker was Ty's Linbrook Signatures and I had on loan for about 3 months a BAT VK55 tube amp mated with a VK5i. It didn't have the slam or quite the dynamics of a solid state amp but the bass was full and the mids and highs were wonderful. If you could swing a VK-75 or 75SE or maybe a 55SE it may be worth checking into. I know the D1's would benefit more power than a 55 but I do know the BAT tube amps are fantastic or at least I loved them. Another option which I would not hesitate to try would be Rogue monoblocks (150 or 180) or a Zeus tube amp. I like the Rogue sound and the customer support is fantastic as is BAT.

Budget is probably $3k for an integrated or amp (my preamp is pretty darn sweet). I had thought about the BAT, looked like one to possibly try.

Erndog-thanks for the note on the Pass 150.5. The Decade line is somewhat easier to drive, so I might be able to get away with tubes. If I am just chasing my tail, then I will get my McCormack upgraded again, with the higher-current transformer. That will really take control of the speakers.