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40+ watts SET, cost is not a problem

Friends,

Hope everyone is well here. I am visiting after a long time. I have a query on behalf of a close buddy of mine. He is using a pair of TAD CR1x loudspeakers. Gorgeous speakers for sure. The source is an EMT 927 TT & JPA66 preamp. For the amplification things are getting tricky. He has tried the TAD M700s reference power amp and while it sounds very controlled, it doesn't have the openness and dimensionality of tone that a good tube/SET amp provides. We are considering trying a good SET for this system. Given that TAD needs some power blossom well and expand on effortlessly, at least 40 watts of SET power would be needed. The quick choices are Kondo Kagura & Wavac HE833 Mk2. But I need more suggestions on these and other comparative products.

1. Has anyone heard the Kondo and Wavac gears to suggest a comparison? I am just a bit worried on the amount of Silver used in Kondo. I have normally found that silver takes away something from the flow and harmonics. Tell me more about it.

2. What other options can be considered in this realm? No SS please. Looking for SET options primarily.

 

Room size is moderate 17 x 13 feet. Music preferred are classic rock, jazz, pop and some classical

 

pani

Showing 3 responses by tvad

tvad's avatar
tvad
11,538 posts
 

Ralph, AGD and others make Class D SS amps that would work...

In a broad stroke, I agree.

Whether changing amplification will provide...

openness and dimensionality of tone

...is another question all together.

"Openness and dimensionality of tone" are characteristics I have heard primarily from speakers with high sensitivity, and easy-to-drive impedance curves. So, a loudspeaker and amplification change might be in order.

But yes, auditioning an AGD Productions or Atma-Sphere GAN amplifier would provide a good data point.

tvad's avatar
tvad
11,538 posts
 

Everyone realizes that @pani is asking for a friend, not for himself, right?

In his original post, he wrote:

I have a query on behalf of a close buddy of mine.

So, while the detailed advice is great, one wonders how much will be imparted, or if the buddy even cares.

tvad's avatar
tvad
11,538 posts
 

I auditioned Audio Mirror Reflection45 SET amplifiers a couple years ago. They might be the best value SET amplification in high end audio. I recall the retail was $5000/pair. Beautiful sound. Large, three dimensional image. I’m not sure Vlad still sells them, but if you reach out to him, he might have a pair available. Definitely worth a listen.

Audio Note Ankoru (or P4 Tonmeister Balanced) are excellent choices, but I wouldn’t recommend those amplifiers unless they’re driving Audio Note loudspeakers. Yes, they will work on efficient, high sensitivity loudspeakers, but the symbiosis with Audio Note amplification and loudspeakers cannot be replicated. One without the other is handcuffing the possibilities, and those amps are very expensive to not have them paired with speakers designed to match.

 

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