2. amps-preamps
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Low-Powered Tube Amp for Zu Soul MkII?

I'm totally new to tube gear, but I just got a new pair of Zu Soul Mark II speakers, and I think my old solid state integrated might need to be replaced with a tube amp. I've been reading that these high-efficiency speakers really like lower-powered tube amps, and I'm wondering if anyone here has experience with them. Here are my constraints:

I have a small room.
I'd love to get something that's made in the 'ol USA.
Preferably around or below $2K.
It would be ideal if it could fit inside our existing cabinet, which is 17.5" deep (this rules out the Cronus and maybe even the Sphinx, unless I make some huger changes).

I love the look of the Rogue Cronus and maybe the Sphinx even more, and these prices are conceivable. But one of my conditions is that I need to be able to hide all this stuff, and my cabinet's too small depth-wise for some of these bigger amps, sadly.

Thanks for any suggestions!
dungan
magnumpi205
504 posts
 
Sophia Baby amp is one of the better bargains in audio. Beautifully voiced!
Another great amp is the AES Super Amp. Easily modified.
isochronism
2,893 posts
 
Don't throw the Baby out with the bath water!!!
powder1
23 posts
 
Try Will Vincent- He makes gorgeous 45 tube push pull amps from Dynaco chassis. Around 10 watts/side. Really sweet, glorious sound. I use one to drive a Tekton single Fostek speaker. He is in your budget.
mt10425
1,138 posts
 
That amp already had the $200 cap upgrade. I'm curious, what other upgrades are you having done? Bass shouldn't be a problem, you're probably right about the speakers. Keep working with placement. Initially, it powered 90db 3-ways down to 32hz. Then 95db single driver speakers with a sub driven in parallel. Happy listening.
dungan OP
6 posts
 
Hi Mt10425,

I'm getting the RCA's changed out. I think the bass problems are due to the room, which is an L shape, and it's also the living room, which means speaker placement is not very variable. Have had some good results from changing the angle and changing the gap between floor and bass ports. In any case, there's plenty of bass in most of the room, the big exception being when you sit down where the sweet spot ought to be. Anywhere more or less at driver level and removed from speakers lacks low end pretty dramatically. But elsewhere in the room, including standing up closer to speakers, is nice and heavy. I guess we could add a sub, but I'm a little concerned about over-bassing everywhere but the listening position.
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