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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 vthokie83

vthokie83
658 posts
 

Pani,

Your speakers are not exactly easy to drive at 85db 4 ohms. I'm going to echo what many have already said, and that is you night not be happy with a SET amplifier.....you may have to drive it hard to get what you are looking for, and that may take the "magic" out of a SET amp.

You have some really good recommendations, and I'll add one more. I'd give Aric Kimball a call at Aric Audio (Google search for information), to get his input. He gives very freely of his time, and sells a bunch of amps you may want to consider: a couple of 300B amps, a 2A3 amp, the Transcend "Push Pull" (is what I own), a KTand a pair of monoblocks.....several might be excellent for what you are looking for. He also loves custom builds, many of his current lines started out as custom builds

I know you said no solid state, but at least look at the specs of the CODA S5.5 class A SS amp......I have had one for about a month, and it's truly amazing; huge current delivery on hand

vthokie83
658 posts
 

Pani,

You have two of the best circuit designers I am aware of (Ralph and Lynn) tell you that tubes are not going to deliver what you are looking for with your hard to drive speakers. I'd believe them.

Class D GnFETs are one very good option (that I have no experience with), but I'd also make a phone call to Doug Dale at CODA regarding his Class A solid state high current amplifiers. He has the newest version of the System 150 WPC (100 WPC Class A) and System 250 WPC (200 WPC Class A) coming into production soon....his contact information can be found on the CODA website.

Since they are new products I of course have not heard them. I do own their baby brother the S5.5, and it is an absolutely brilliant amplifier with performance I never thought I'd be able to achieve in a "mid/hi fi" system.

vthokie83
658 posts
 

tvad and Pani,

I hope my post did not come off as aggressive, that was not my intention....apologies if it did.

Yes I was aware he is asking for a friend. I also see there is a lot of "square peg in round hole", that is diverting from where he should be looking for solutions. I am not an expert by any means, but I know that Ralph, Lynn, Doug Dale, Aric Kimball, Don Sachs, Alberto Guerro (AGD) et. al are experts. I have found all of them will give freely of their time, just as Ralph and Lynn have here.

Ralph, AGD and others make Class D SS amps that would work, and Doug Dale makes Class A SS that may solve the issue for for your friend. Best of luck.

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