audio physic virgo and valves

One of the most musically convincing systems I've heard in a store was a pair of Virgos driven by a VAC Avatar tube integrated. It generated 60/60 watts in pentode operation, and something like 28/28 in pseudo-triode mode. Great option. The room was sizable and in pentode mode, power was sufficient whenever triode mode ran out of oomph. The system blew away everything bigger and more expensive in the store at that time.

Phil

Probably the best, most musically realistic sound I heard in the entire decade of the 90s was a system with Virgo speakers powered by a simple VAC Avatar integrated amp -- 30/30w of EL34 push-pull tube beauty. Of course the power sufficiency depends upon your room size, acoustic space, surfaces, furnishings, habits, etc. but it was fine for me in a room approx 14' x 22' x 8.5'. Your amp should have 4 ohm taps.

This combination wiped out most far more expensive and elaborate systems in terms of simple sheer musical truth and it would still be quite remarkable today.

Phil

The thing to remember is the Virgo is designed for very wide spacing, and to sit well into the room, away from boundaries. Many people who loved the speaker just couldn't make practical use of it for this reason. But if you can accommodate the setup, especially along the broad dimension, it can be deeply convincing and simple too.

Phil