Why buy used? Give Mike a call at Quicksilver and ask him about these amps. My friend just bought them and thinks they are outstanding with his proacs!
http://quicksilveraudio.com/products/mono-120/
http://quicksilveraudio.com/products/mono-120/
Amp for SF Amati Homage? Rogue Zeus or 180, Jadis Defy 7, Quicksilver 88 or 90 or M-135
I need an amp for recently acquired Sonus Faber Amati Homage. Their impedance drops in the bass and treble, and the treble dip does not work with my Vac Ren 30/30 signature. Hate to part with the beautiful Vac but I must. After I noticed the treble problem (shrill shouting from 2500-4000 hz) I was told Amatis have a natural peak around 3k hz. This is likely exacerbated by the impedance issue and relatively low amp power.
I am looking for a tube amp (please no solid state recommendations) that can handle relatively low impedance swings... Not too extreme like planers, but below 4 ohms. I have a bit of an allergy to brightness and etch and am willing to trade off ultimate extension and treble detail to avoid etch or brightness. I listen to jazz, blues, classical and some older rock. I do have a lot of recordings that are not perfect so I am NOT looking for perfect "neutrality" but rather a slightly warm top end and a rich, full midrange. Bass is not my top priority. My system is a Koetsu Rosewood Signature, Sota Star Sapphire, EAR 834p phono, Thor Ta-1000 pre, and the Amatis. Cabling is all cardas golden cross (warmer stuff) ;) I listen to mostly vinyl.
My budget is under $4k used, inclusive of tubes. Could anyone give opinions on my shortlist, especially relative to one another?
- Jadis Defy 7
- Rogue Zeus or 180
- Quicksilver 88, 90 or M-135
Thank you for thoughts!
I am looking for a tube amp (please no solid state recommendations) that can handle relatively low impedance swings... Not too extreme like planers, but below 4 ohms. I have a bit of an allergy to brightness and etch and am willing to trade off ultimate extension and treble detail to avoid etch or brightness. I listen to jazz, blues, classical and some older rock. I do have a lot of recordings that are not perfect so I am NOT looking for perfect "neutrality" but rather a slightly warm top end and a rich, full midrange. Bass is not my top priority. My system is a Koetsu Rosewood Signature, Sota Star Sapphire, EAR 834p phono, Thor Ta-1000 pre, and the Amatis. Cabling is all cardas golden cross (warmer stuff) ;) I listen to mostly vinyl.
My budget is under $4k used, inclusive of tubes. Could anyone give opinions on my shortlist, especially relative to one another?
- Jadis Defy 7
- Rogue Zeus or 180
- Quicksilver 88, 90 or M-135
Thank you for thoughts!
10 responses Add your response
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis95ejf-allnic-audio-m-3000-kt-150-monoblock-amplifiers-tube If you can extend your budget to 5,500, then this will drive your speaker well with 140 tube Watts. I was also looking at this amplifier but I am satisfied with Line Magnetic 508 (48Watts) with my Lansche 4.1 with 99db/W. Your speaker will need more power. I have nothing to do above listing. |
So you are looking for a tube integrated amp? Well.... I was going to recommend you the Audio Research Reference series but with your under $4k budget used I'm not sure if even a used ARC Ref series integrated can be had unless if it's a much older model. Or try a used McIntosh tube or SS integrated amps. Even McOntosh SS amps are warm like tubes. |
+1 on the ARC Ref 110 amp. Sorry I thought you were looking for an integrated amp. Yes the ARC and McIntosh tube or SS will pair really well with your speakers. Like I said earlier that even McIntosh SS amps will have a warm tubey sound. See if you can find a used MC302 or MC452. Not sure what they are selling in used markets cause used Mac gears sell pretty high. Mac has very good resale values. |
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis96e7h-balanced-audio-technology-vk-75-se-tube If you can not stretch your budget, then above will be pretty good choice. Your speaker has a sensitivity of 92db/w. https://hometheaterhifi.com/volume_7_4/bat-vk-75se-tube-power-amplifier-12-2000.html |
The only thing I worry about with ARC or BAT is the possibility that the top early won't be warm enough. I really don't like amps that are referred to as neutral or detailed, in the typical HiFi vernacular. And i have a long-held prejudice against ARC that they tend to be a little dry. I like weighty, liquid mids and treble that doesn't hurt, even with mediocre recordings. Of course I want to get the most detail and extension I can, without crossing that magical line! Given above, do you still think the BAT or ARC are recommended? |
If I were you I will go for Allnic by stretching budget or negotiating the price. It is in the class with 20k amplifiers. http://www.theaudiobeat.com/equipment/allnic_audio_m3000_mk2.htm VA910s, I would say that both they and the Allnic amps lack a little in ultimate high-frequency extension and airiness. The KR Audio amps have more of the revealing ruthlessness of which I spoke above, though they also sound more clinical. Both amplifiers throw a huge, room-filling soundstage, but only the Allnics do the "woodiness" -- and the internal timbral detail thing. Which one is best? For long-term enjoyment, I would choose the Allnics. |
If you can stretch your budget a little bit this would work nicely: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis95fh7-air-tight-atm-2-classic-tube A really nice 80 watt $18,000 amp for $4950. I had its little brother the ATM-1 some years back and it sounded lovely. |