New SET Amp

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

Pawlowski,
I ve owned and try just about all the cary SET out there.for the money,it ll be tough to get something better then the cary.I think it s time for you to try the welbornes experience.I think you ll love it. try to find the older moondog orlaurel if you can..there s something about the new DRD design that just didnt click with my ear.

Thanks for that link, I would have never thought Headgear could need that much current. Learn something new every week around here.

Since I have zero experience with headphones, take my suggestions with a big grain of salt. But, if you found the Cary somewhat satisfactory in the current/drive department, then an Art Audio will knock your socks off.

Consider the Art Audio Carissa which uses an 845 transmitting tube to deliver 16 wpc of rich, luscious, and powerful sound. Guanranteed to trump the Cary 300SEI in every respect. It sells for $4k new, but used amps pop up around here every month in the $1.7k-$2k range.

6Moons review

Positive Feedback review

Enjoy The Music Review

I dunno, in many ways I think Cary is the right choice for tube consumer types rather than us afficionados.

That said...

I would suggest an Airtight, which will be other varieties of tube SET; namely KT88 and EL34. Unfortunately it's definitely more than your Cary. I think the Airtight integrateds can go for eight grand, and no one ever seems to sell them (hmmm...). Airtight I have never heard "rocking" but I suspect they are capable of it.

Or maybe also as Moebius says, a 45 tube amp, like a Yammamoto. I have heard with the right speakers you don't absolutely have to go horns at 2 watts - I read a review in which a pair of Harbeths were used to good effect with the Yamamoto, and I suspect they would also work fine with Joseph Audio's RM7. Or your Zu's. You can find more info on them at 6 Moons, or look the Yam up on the internet (or on 'gon). They're imported to the States by a guy that owns a record store in Michigan. That's why I say things like, not good for the average consumer...

EAR also makes a 12AX7 integrated - actually uses the tubes as power tubes in parrallel, and with the "English Sound" and Groove Tubes reissuing Mullard reproduction 12AX7/ECC variant/6922's, how can you go wrong?

What about something like a used Graaf or going separates with an OTL if you are interested in seeing a different type of "date" entirely? OTL's are wildcats with the right speakers. And the Zu's are them.

These are all "used" suggestions as they are slightly above the stated price range. If you really want to date a number of girls, what about George Wright's pretty great equipment at a reasonable price? He does 2A3's and a number of others, and you could have them new, and sell when you want to move on to the next victim.