I have fun highly efficient speakers with big amps and most will respond well to the power.
Sometimes the big amps have too much gain and you can get hissing with high efficiency loudspeakers.
A decent integrated amp under 2K ...
I'm looking for an INTEGRATED AMP. My speakers are Altec 620A (100 db efficiency) and my listening room is 14 x 21. I mainly listen to digital files from my DAC (Metrum) but sometimes I feel less lazy and put on a vinyl on my Garrard. I don't need a phono stage, I use the one from another integrated amplifier (Spendor D40). Here's my shortlist:
1) Belles Aria Integrated (slightly powerful for my needs)
2) Croft phono integrated (since I don't need a phono stage, I think it's a shame to burn tubes for nothing)
3) Rogue Sphinx V3 (too powerful for my needs)
FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS: I can live with tubes but only in the PREAMP section and I try to avoid Class A due to the heat. I'm open to Class D (proof: the Rogue) but the choice is limited and these devices come with a bunch of stuff I don't need. I rather spend my $ where it will make a difference.
regards
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I really don’t have any experience with the pieces you’ve mentioned that you’re interested in. Vincent makes some nice gear in that price range. They are class A up to the first 10 watts and have tubes in the preamp stage. Mine didn’t run hot. You would have to go pre-owned to get one of their top models. I’m not sure why you’re concerned about something being "too powerful". I have run highly efficient speakers with big amps and most will respond well to the power. If I were currently looking I would also consider Modwright’s integrated. You’d have to increase your budget a little for a pre-owned one. There’s currently one listed on CL in Seattle for $2500.
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@jimcrane How does it sound with 100db speakers? My guess is that your 85db Harbeth's are far more ideal match for that amp. Cheers, Spencer |
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With 100db speakers, you could go for a pretty low powered tube that wouldn't give off much heat. Are you concerned with too much heat in the room overall(not a worry) or someone touching it and burning themselves? Plenty of designs have cages that would prevent that. IMHO, if best overall SQ with those speakers is the priority, class A is the way to go. A couple to consider: Air Tight ATM1, Mastersound Compact 300 or Compact 845, many Shindo models Cheers, Spencer |