Thanx everyone. So far I have Art Audio, Welborne and maybe Quicksilver. Also, It doesn't hae to be a 300b. 45s, 2a3s also OK.
I think.
I think.
New SET Amp
I currently own a Cary 300SEI. It's a single ended 300b tube amp. It's my first experience with SETs. I'm thinking about trying something different but don't see a lot of SET's produced by well known companies. I guess what I'm trying to say is; I like Cary because they have a nice reputation, have been around awhile and are made here in the USA. It'd be nice to try another SET by a similar company (Conrad Johnson, Mcintosh, VAC, Quicksilver, etc.) but I don't see too many. Any suggestions. Oh, by the way, I can't spend more than $500 over what I can get for the Cary. I'd guess I could get at least $2,500 for the Cary. It's the latest model with autobias, remote, etc.
Also, I don't need a preamp since I can go direct with my Cary 303/300 and am using AKG K1000 headphones for the forseeable future.
Thanx!!
Also, I don't need a preamp since I can go direct with my Cary 303/300 and am using AKG K1000 headphones for the forseeable future.
Thanx!!
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Well, I used to have a pair of Cary SLM-100s which I rolled 6250s and KT88s in and out of so...sorta been there did that. Will probably like to stay in the SET scene for awhile. Works well for my type of music (lots of styles of acoustic). However, when, I add speakers to my system, I plan on listening to more larger orchestral pieces. I have a feeling for the slam-factor and to give me more options in speaker choice, I'll have to move to a EL34, KT88,etc. model. Maybe the Mcintosh 275?? But, please, throw something out if you have it! thanx |
Sorry Pawlowski6132, For some reason, I misread the thread and thought you had the 101dB Zu speakers (acutally Warrenh). Now, I realize that you've gone to a headphone system. I have an Art Audio PX-25 amp (no volume control) and it is the greatest amp I have ever encountered. In my system, it is powerful, rich, textured, detailed, agile. Tonality and timbre are where it truly seperates itself from any other amp I've heard. Wood instruments have body and resonance. Cymbals have shimmer and decay. Percussion has snap. Whatever is asked of it gets delivered and it never runs out of steam. But, I think it might be serious overkill for a headphone system unless you are looking to seriously push the envelope. Art Audio's are 70 lb. stainless steel beasts built to have the current capability of SET's on steroids. In your situation, I would seriously look into an amp using a 45 tube or 2A3. Fantastic tonality in the 2 wpc range, yet still more than enough, I'd think. There is a used Fi 2A3/45 stereo amp(6Moons review) for sale right now at $1k that has "Sale Pending", you should seriously contact the seller to see if it is still available. If not, they sell for ~$2,650 brand new. For background info, here is Enjoy The Music's 2004 review of it's predecessor amp Fi X 2A3/45 by Ian White. I've traded quite a few emails and posts on Audio Asylum with Ian over the years on a range of audio related topics. He fervently believes that Don Garber's amps cut directly to the soul of the music in a way no other amp comes close. I think he described them as an "emotional experience". Here's a 2004 6Moons review of his Fi 2A3 monoblocks. TNT Audio's 2002 review of his Fi X 2A3 stereo amp. Don does business the old fashioned way, by phone and email strictly. Give him a call 718-625-7353 or dgfi@earthlink.net |
Darkmobius, thanx for all the excellent info. I'be doing lots reading tonight. BTW, please don't underestimate the AKG K1000s. Here is a thread I started today. Most people that understand the current requirements of the high impedance phones drive 'em with >100W Krells and Levinson's!!! And the headphones connect directly to the speaker terminals. http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=161561 |
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