2. amps-preamps
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Cornwall IV – tube (amp) choice

I recently bought the Cornwall IVs and even while running with my old and small Rotel amp they make me pretty happy. But having listened to them plugged to a tube amp in the shop this will be the next investment. And with no proper shop around where I can compare different models and different tube types I´m depending on other people´s experiences. I know that once I have any amp here tube rolling will be the next thing to try but for now I´d like to know if someone can tell me something about different tube types or amps that work well with the Cornwall IVs (or similar sounding speakers).

Of course I´m looking for the warmth that the current amp does not provide. Also it seems that the highs are a bit too pronounced, so I´m willing to trade some of those in if it means gaining more low-mids and lows. Having said that, I´m not looking for boom, just a little more cozyness.

Some tube amps I came across:

lab12 integr4 (KT150)
Primaluna evo 300 (EL34 – I´m a bit afraid of the evo 400, 8 power tubes are a bit intimidating when it comes to rolling or exchanging broken tubes)
Willsenton R800i (300B / 805)

My desired price range is up to $3.000 but well, the primaluna are already above that limit.
As you can see I´m not afraid of chinese brands. I´m living in Europe and dependend on what´s available here.

chmaiwald

Showing 3 responses by chmaiwald

chmaiwald OP
74 posts
 

Getting there. They were delivered in January.

chmaiwald OP
74 posts
 

Thanks for all the replies, it´s all very inspiring and is giving me lots to consider and think about. Which is a fun part of this whole audio thing. I take from what I read that basically there´s no wrong decision, so that´s a good starting point.

@darkscience There´s plenty of manufacturers outside russia.

@jasonbourne52 Sure, wpc is a factor, but if a powerful and affordable amp sounds better, there´s no problem for me.

@ezraslc What are you hoping to improve with the Luxman amp?

@retiredfarmer I haven´t found a distributor, so I guess not.

@sandthemall The idiot-proofness of the Primaluna and the lab12 is a definite plus.

@elliottbnewcombjr Think Long, Go Deep. – I sure will!

@danager Guttenberg´s enthusiasm sure was a one thing that made me want to have a listen to the CIVs.

Thanks again to everyone for taking the time to respond!

chmaiwald OP
74 posts
 

Thanks again for further recommendations. Luxman, Jadis, Enleum – they all seem great.

After reading and watching quite a few reviews of different amps I´m still wondering why tube types are not given priority over specific amps. Like for example: These speakers really go well with EL34s, because sound characteristic xy.
Isn´t the tube type in general shaping the sound more than the amp built around it? (considering high-quality brands only) And wouldn´t it make most sense to decide on a tube (or combination of tubes) first and then try to find a specific amp? I´m wondering.
Fact is I either mailorder blindly (deafly?) an amp with nice specs, reviews and recommendations or go for one of the few I can test in-store.

@gratefuldentist Oh yes, they like to be toed in. I have to move them to the wall during the day when the kids are around and listen to them like that sometimes. They still sound very good likethat, but toeing them back in makes a massive difference. I put the speakers on boards with tiny transport wheels underneath so moving them is no problem.

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