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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
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,861 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
3,360 posts
 
Get an Atma-Sphere S-30 and don't look back.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,242 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.
onemug
784 posts
 
"what is an ideal tube amp"?

Based on the info in your post, maybe a pair of Cary 805AE monoblocks.

1. You get 25/30 watts of pure SET Class A power and 50/70 in Class A2 for those Classical Music peaks.

2. They have 4,8 and 16 ohm taps so you stay at that power instead of losing half.

3. They have been absolutely trouble free/fit and forget amps for me.

I alternate between them and my Pass XA.5's to drive my Magnepans. I can only imagine what they would sound like on your 97 db CAR's.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Albert, I don't care what John's answer is since I'm not going to buy the speakers and I'm perfectly happy with my Atma-Sphere M60s. I was asking Ramy if he had asked the question since he spoke with John and is seeking comparisons (the question was begged). I'm sure all the amps being mentioned are excellent; however I only heard these particular speakers with Atma-sphere and they sounded fantastic.
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