Anyone own Linear Tube Audio Amps?

i have the current f/r lta zotl40 ref power amp, running various el34’s, i also have several arc power amps (ref110, ref75, and so on) but not an i-50

i would venture to say that my guess is that the i-50 will give a somewhat more overtly tubey sound signature than the zotl - which, because it does not have standard output transformers between the power tubes and the speaker load, has almost a solid state like degree of clarity, speed and frequency extension (but with better imaging, and more delicacy around voices) - also its el34 power tubes would have a touch more finesse than the 6550/kt88’s in the arc unit

neither will have anything near the bass grip of the pass xa25

hope that helps

nick is a really good guy, isn’t stupid, he of course would not focus on the main weakness of the lta vs the pass - bass depth slam and control 😂

that said, as one would expect in this high level of gear, we choose what we choose because we prefer one set of tradeoffs and attributes offered by one item, vs that of another

m series sapphire line of speakers need serious damping factor to sound their best, though the bass response is its towering strength as a speaker for sure, so even if not particularly well driven, its bass will impress many that come from more standard speakers with little woofers in boxes... but let’s be real... m series with their 2x 12 or 15 in woofers per side, doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see amp damping factor is going to be critical to success

as i stated earlier, i have the lta zotl ref power amp, now with the factory parts upgrade mod - i run mullard el34’s and have old stock small signal tubes up front

i think the last poster said it well, i concur

the lta zotl, at its best (with really good tubes in it) gives a kind of 'the best of both worlds' - tube magic bloomy dimensional midrange and holography in imaging, along with the speed and clarity that so much tube amps cannot provide... some will say that this is a negative but more detail and clarity without the attendant negatives of typical solid state (forward character, lack of soundstage depth, overt harshness and sibilance) is a positive, it is what we as listeners seek - to have cake and eat it too

that said, what the zotl does not do, is provide the slam and deep bass iron grip that the best solid state amps provide... so as usual synergistic matching to speakers is essential...