2. amps-preamps
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CAT or VAC for Shahinian Obelsik

I'd like to refute that prevailing wisdom that Shahinian speakers need high powered solid state amps and find a tube amp to drive my Obelisks. I was first considering the new VAC 160 Standard musicblocs - 160w per side using 4 KT88s. I've since found a possible deal on a CAT JL2 - my sense is the CAT would drive the Shahinians pretty well. Even though the CAT is rated at 100w I suspect it's a pretty imperturbable 100w. I'm leaning towards the CAT - seems like it would be a "last amp" purchase (actually very likely in this case). Any wisdom from the CAT and/or Shahinian experienced? System is Calypso, Modwright 3910, will have analog soon.
Thanks
samcclark

Showing 2 responses by samcclark

samcclark OP
16 posts
 
Thanks for the responses. I know that people have found SS works. My thought was that the CAT JL2 is a different tube animal, that wattage doesn't tell the whole story - it's how stable the amp remains under difficult load. What I've heard is that the CAT is quite stable and may be more so than many SS amps. Any thoughts? Gregm - you heard an actual JL2/Obelisk combo? Very interesting. Any other description of how that worked? Thanks again for everyone's responses.
Sam
samcclark OP
16 posts
 
I have Auditorium 23 speaker cables. Recommended by Joe Fratus of Art Audio (a great guy), review on 6moons. I think they sound really good but I'm still a neophyte at all this stuff. Hodgepodge cable repertoire includes Jena Symphony IC, Poiema!!! IC, Stealth PGS Gold IC. I admit that a gut feeling is a bad rationale for dropping the kind of money a CAT requires but my sense is that it would work great. But that's why I'm soliciting opinions.
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