2. amps-preamps
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what is an ideal tube amp

I have recently purchased a new pair of ClassicAudioLoudspeakers T-3,I believe there efficiency is about 105db/w-m .for my bedroom system.The impedance of the speaker is 16 ohms (varies between 10-20 ohms) I am presently powering them with a Gryphon Antileon Signature biased at 50 watts for class A.The sound is wonderful imaging is perfect in all three dimensions with fantastic clarity and non fatiguing,but very sensitive to sweet spot.I am told by that horn speakers sound best with tube amps,particularly set amps.
I have not had a tube power amp for over 25 years and that was a poor experience.Where I live there are not to much choice of audio dealers who support tube equipment.That means that I may have to purchase an amplifier without the ability to audition it in my system.I need help ,most tube amps I have seen looked at do not have a 16 ohms speakers tap,does that matter??I particular a 10watt amp with only output at 8 ohms I would lose half the power which may not be adequate?I would like to avoid mortgaging the house for cost of the amp,in other words those very unique Japanese amps with a price of $5,000 per watt are out.I do prefer balanced inputs as my Meridian 861V6 has XLR outputs,I use the Sooloos system extensively,however I can also use my Einstein preamp could with all my sources,Zanden transport,DAC or for sacd the Accuphase 800/801 combo.
I would also prefer a trouble free tube amp which does not require constant tuning or tweaking.I listen primarily to classical music.Your counsel will be greatly appreciated.
ramy
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Ramy,
Your speakers offer great flexibility with amplifiers as others have said. I`ve heard this speker with OTL amps and it will work out fine.I`d however pay serious attention to the suggestion of the Allnic 300b. This amp(or another high quality 300b amplifier)when mated with a top level 300b tube(Takatsuki,Sophia Royal Princess, EML) will sound simply fabulous,full tone and provide stunning realism.
Best of Luck,
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,308 posts
 
Rogue would be another option i would consider.

Probably hard to go bad with vac or arc also.

Ramy, gotta say i really like your collection of gear! Building around gp
and car speakers. Probably doesn't get much better than that!
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,841 posts
 
John also has an Atma-Sphere setup, with a fairly well-optioned MP-1. He has had Atma-Sphere amps since 1989 if memory serves.

I bought a set of T-3s in 1998. There has been no looking back. They have been updated with the dual woofers, new crossover and the beryllium field coil drivers. My room is 17' x 21'. The efficiency of the speaker is more like 98 db, not 105 (that is more typical of his Hartsfield reproduction). Any amp we make works very effectively on the speaker- keep in mind that such amps are what the speaker was designed with.

The S-30 does very well on the T-3!. I tend to play the system louder than most audiophiles as my front end is relatively impervious to room-borne vibration. What this means is that it is very relaxed even when driven well above 100 db, so I can occasionally clip the S-30. Not so with the M-60 and MA-1 :)
clio09
3,355 posts
 
Get an Atma-Sphere S-30 and don't look back.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,229 posts
 
The sound is wonderful imaging is perfect in all three dimensions with fantastic clarity and non fatiguing
Based upon this statement and your comments/experiences with tube amps, I suggest you stay with what you already have. You can spend a significant sum of money, get different but not better sound, or screw the sound up with an amp that requires more user care than you want to commit. Plus the amp will go in your bedroom where the tube glow and space heater aspects may not be welcome.

Completely ignoring the above, you might also consider a Pathos TT. It has balanced inputs and only uses 2 12ax7s tubes to drive solid state output devices. It should work well into the 16 ohm load.
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