Amp and Pre-Amp suggestions needed


I just picked up what will hopefully be my end-game speakers. They are TLS-1's based on the old Ohm F design, produced by Dale Harder of HHR Exotic speakers. I will probably share more in a separate speaker thread later.

It's become readily apparent that my Rogue Cronus Magnum III integrated is not cutting it with these speakers. 

I am looking for suggestions on a tube-pre and solid state amp separates that will drive the TLS-1's to nirvana. 

Here are my must haves:

- I want tone controls (treble/ bass)
- Again tube pre
- SS amp
- At least 150 wpc
- Want to keep my spend under $5k (new or used)

Yes, I already have Dale's recommendation, but I'm looking for other points of view here.

Thanks,
Joe
128x128audionoobie

Showing 1 response by kijanki

Two points:

I don't like tone controls.  When I had lower quality receiver and speakers tone controls helped a lot.  With better amp and speaker I seldom used them, but now with good gear (I think) I don't need it at all.  Lower quality systems are prone to resonances or attenuated/uneven frequencies.  Perhaps thats why the cheapest boomboxes have equalizers and quality systems don't even have tone controls.  In addition, how to control amount of double bass without changing the sound of the piano in lower registers?  If it was recorded with more or less bass or treble then it was likely intended that way.  At my age I have increasing problem of climbing the stage to adjust tone controls to my liking at the concerts :)

Second point is what kind of sound you expect.  There are two camps - pleasing sound or accurate sound (called by pleasing sound people "sterile" and "analytic").  I'm in accurate camp with Benchmark AHB2, but my brother's system is warm and wonderful.  It does not have resolution (details are masked) of my system, but it sounds very nice.  There is no right or wrong here, but you must state your preference.  In accurate camp Benchmark AHB2 beats pretty much everything within $3k.