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Considering a Raven Audio Blackhawk Integrated for Tannoy Sterlings

I recently purchased a pair of Tannoy Sterling speakers. Rated 91dB sensitive which do not drop below 5 ohms impedance. My room I about 12' x 15' x 8.5'. It is treated with absorption panels to my liking. 

I am currently driving the Sterlings with a BEL 1001 MK5 SS amp (50wpc), itself driven by an Aric Audio Special all tube preamp. System is digital based with an Audio Mirror Tubadour III DAC fed by Mac Mini or CD transport. 

The system sounds wonderful, however I am looking to simplify, and have not experienced tubes in the power amplifier stage. The Blackhawk is 20wpc. I auditioned the Sterlings with a Luxman 20wpc class A SS amplifier. That amp drove them very well in a room volume greater than my room. I am aware that Raven Audio allows a 45 day trial period with loss of shipping only if one wished to return the integrated. 

 I find the Tannoys to have a certain warmth that I enjoy. Not thinking that I need any more provided by an amplifier. Love the 'bloom' and 'air' around notes, soundstaging, and imaging provided by tubes.

Obviously, given the trial period I could audition the pairing in my own room. I am just looking for thoughts from members herein, some that own Raven or Tannoy. Thanks in advance. 






mesch
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,974 posts
 
@mesch Have you called Raven? Might be interesting to talk with them.

Also: what would you say the closest competitors are? Octave v40? VAC? Very curious.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
You want bloom and air, soundstaging and imaging without any added warmth. You will find what you want with Raven. I’ve narrowed my search down, and its been a long one, two years at least, to a Raven Blackhawk or Reflection. No indications anywhere that a Blackhawk will not give you everything you want.

I wouldn’t worry about the power. In my system I now have Moabs but I’ve been running Talon Khorus with 50 wpc tube amps for decades. The Khorus are supposed to be 92dB, and I could play them real loud in my 17x24 room. Real loud. Not nearly as loud as the 98dB Moabs but plenty loud.

Watts are not watts. They are not created equal. Those 50w tube amps were equivalent to some very good 150w SS, and I have no doubt the Blackhawks 20 is equivalent to my 50.

There’s only a few Raven owners here, willgolf might chime in he’s had quite a lot of experience with them. Picked his brain and ears real good in my search. I’m sure he will heartily endorse them too. 

Second hilde to call and talk with Dave. The man knows his tubes, has a huge selection, and should be able to set you up pretty good once he knows your taste in sound. 
dgcurtis36
23 posts
 
I have a Blackhawk MK3 driving the 91db Raven Audio Corvus Tower speakers and they are a match made in heaven. Before the Corvus I had a set of Salk SS8’s rated at 86db and the BH did just as well with them. I highly recommend the company and their products. 
sfar's avatar
sfar
1,758 posts
 
I have the Blackhawk LE with a pair of Nola Boxer S1 speakers and am completely satisfied after having the a Cayin integrated, Rogue Cronus, Cary/AES AE-25 and Cary Sli-80 F1. The Raven is in a different league, better sounding than any of those others, trouble-free, easy on tubes and it lets you in on the fantastic customer service from Dave Thomson. There is other great gear out there but I don't think you can go wrong with any of the Raven amps.
willgolf
936 posts
 
I have experienced the Blackhawk and owned the Raven Reflection MK2.  First off the amps have more power than the associated quoted figures and would drive your Tannoy's with ease.  Second, the customer service is one of the best I have experiences.  Third, Dave Thomson, one of the owners has the market basket of some of the rarest and best sounding tube collection in the world.  You definitely owe it to yourself to at least call Dave at Raven to listen to his thoughts.  Fourth, you will truly love the sound.  Call Dave!!!
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