Ampli choice : tenor dartzeel etc need your exper


I'm searching an amplifiers (max 12000$ new or second hands)
that can feet my B&W802D (90dB efficiency).
It can be tube, solid state or hybrid.

I've made some research, i hesitate between:
-tenor 150 hps
-dartzeel (only 100 watts is it enough?)
-audio research VTM-200
-Manley neo classic 300

What would you choose?

Please if replies can be made if you have at least compare two of them, it will be constructive (no "i have this one, i never listen to other....but it's the best!")

I you have other suggestions,you'rewelcomebut be sure of what you suggest.

Thanx in advance for your help
samuel33

Showing 2 responses by samuel33

mikelavigne, thank you for your reply.
Excuse me in advance for further vocabulary and grammatically mistakes, i'm french.

My system is quite unusual, i compose with my speakers (i do some kind of expérimental music)
Before the 802d, i had monitors speakers, then i decide to improve my equipment. I had the choice to continue with monitors or to follow another path.
I work at home so i was listening music on the monitor speakers... that bring me to consider a way to work AND really enjoy hours of listening music.

So i decided to buy the 802D (because someone have them to sell for a good price and they have quite good reputation).
After that buy, i had to find an inexpensive amplifier that can manage these speakers so i bought the nuforce ref 9 and NO preamp.
So my system is now a laptop with prism dac/adc, no preamp, the nuforce and the 802D -i know it is a weird system and not in a good sense-
i rarely buy new product, i prefer to construct slowly but with the best i can afford (in the second hand market in general).

And it is time now to replace the nuforce amplifiers (a bargain for the price but definitely not what i want to listen from my speakers)and find a preamp -i think, maybe i'm wrong, that it is more logical to choose the amplifiers first and after the preamp that feet well with the ampli-

For the size of the room, i move out in 3/4 months (to Monreal) so it is a big -?- but it would probably be between 30m2 and 50m2 i need space to work.

After your post, i hesitate now between the dartzeel and the Tenor.
I have emailed Hervé Deletraz -I definitely love their way of conceiving audio gears AND the way they deal with customers : a reference- he told me that an english customer have made the mix Dartzeel with 802D and it match well, the only possible issue is the power (100w)... is it enough for a 90dB efficiency speaker to work with?

On the other side the tenor, it has more power but you say : "the Tenor is currently without any manufacturer's warranty as Tenor went out of business a couple of years ago. OTOH i have heard it is coming back in some form soon. service is avalible however and tech support"
it can be a crtical issue if there is no longer way to repair it in the future (for now it's ok but in 2 years?)

i hope i haven't been too difficult to read (?!)

Samuel
I have made my choice, the dartzeel wouldn't be enough powerful... and i'm going to live in Montreal where one of the creator of the tenor live (and continue to repare it and upgrade it).

The only point is what i have to be aware of when i purchase it, in the second and market. I know there was some issues with the 300 but i don't know if it is the case with the 150 hps.
Maybe somme tenor owners can tell me....