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Considering A 20-40 Watt Stereo SET Amp

I just got over a 16 day illness (not Covid) where it was touch and go for a few days. I am thinking of rewarding myself with a 20-40 watt stereo SET amp. The speakers I will use are a pair of the new JBL L100 Classic speakers that I bought at the end of 2020. The speakers are rated at 4 ohms @90db sensitivity.

Presently, I am using a McIntosh integrated and I do not listen loud. The meters on the Mac usually sit between .20 and 2 watts at its loudest. I have not started looking yet but I do know I want something with 1 pair of outputs so I can use my SVS powered subwoofer with it. I would also need 3 high level inputs. I don’t want to break the bank as this would be a secondary amp to put into rotation as the mood strikes me.

I do not want a flea powered amp so it has to be 20-40 watts and under 4 grand new. Used would be even better. I am hoping I can be steered in the right direction so I can start my research. I do not want to have to buy other components to accommodate the amp. Source components are a McIntosh SACD player, McIntosh FM tuner and a Sony HAP-Z1ES music player. Nordost interconnects and Canare speaker cables, Shunyata power cords and a Furutech power conditioner round out the system. The amp must be stereo, no monoblocks please. 99% of my listening will be through my Mac FM tuner. The system is also on its own dedicated 20-amp circuit.

128x128stereo5

Showing 4 responses by aricaudio

aricaudio's avatar
aricaudio
269 posts
 

True SETs (single-ended triode) amps cannot do 20-40 watts unless they’re big transmitter tubes such as the 211 or 845 and they use over 1,100 volts. An SEP (single ended pentode), running in ultra-linear or triode mode can get 20 watts per channel however. A good example is at the link below and can be driven directly from a DAC, CDP, etc. Volume control can be added as can additional inputs for right around your budget:

https://aricaudio.com/products.php?product=SPRKT88120

Prices are not higher for what you get, considering prices for an Audio Note 211 amplifier start at $20k, Air Tight's 211 is $10K, Thomas Mayer's is $27K, and my Super 211 SET is $11,800- so comparable in price. Since a 300B is incapable of 20-40 watts, and 2A3 has even less power, 45 half that, this basically leaves pentode/tetrode single-ended amplifiers for the kind of power you’re looking for unless you go push-pull.

 

 

Best regards, Aric

aricaudio's avatar
aricaudio
269 posts
 

@stereo5 You're welcome, and thank you as well. Yes, as I had mentioned above the Super KT88/120 can be outfitted with additional inputs and a volume control and when used with 6SL7 Input tubes, can be driven to full output directly from a source. I can add a set of RCA line level outputs as well to allow driving a powered subwoofer. I'm not sure if you need remote capability for volume as well? If you'd like, please contact me using the Contact Us (through my website) and let me know what options/features you may like and I can try my best to help. 

 

Best regards Aric

aricaudio's avatar
aricaudio
269 posts
 

@speedthrills The customer's budget was observed when I replied, and I do custom work to fit budget and feature requirements. While what you stated would seem logical, it doesn't hurt to send an inquiry and find out for sure! Best regards, Aric

aricaudio's avatar
aricaudio
269 posts
 

@stereo5 You're very welcome man, and I wish you the best of luck!

 

 

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