Amp suggestions for a pair of Audio Note AN-K/SP-e (part 2)


Dear Fanatics, Have arrived on a general outline that a 20-40 W pentode or triode PP is a good path for smallish speakers in a 12x26 room. I would appreciate feedback on two circuit designs which are both monoblocs: (2) 845's plus (2) driver tubes per channel VS (4) EL-84's and (1) driver tube per channel  -Scott

scottya118

After owing ANE’s for a few years I’d say make sure yo give them more power than you think. Audio note tends to over state their efficiency by quite a bit. I found my 300b amp (8wpc) was just not enough to really flesh out the bass properly, think one note bass here. Give them 20-30wpc and they are much happier IMO.

ps; I also have a 845 amp and that was a much better amp on them if not rather  hot and expensive to re-tube. 

Another option is a parallel SET this will give you more power and have the befits of the SET sound. 

Decware does a great job of running a pentode tube as a SET.  Given your speaker efficiency, should sound wonderful.  I have their integrated, but Decware also has monoblocks.  I am amazed at how good 6 watts/channel can be.  They run a el-34, but you have tube rolling options.  For example, ran some KT-88's to up the power but this did not do well for the sound.  Sorry, sounds like you had it dialed in and this is another direction. 

Otherwise, I would say go with the 845 in SET.  Given your room size and speaker sensitivity, I would be tempted also by a 300b SET. 

Good luck.