Demo'ing Class A amps, Appreciation Suggestions from those who recently been there


I recently sold my Cary S120MKll Amp in 2 days. It was 60wpc triode.
Filling in with Pass Lab, baby DIY Class A Mono blocks. Maxing at 7 wpc.
My speakers are rated 94 Sensitivity older FSMs by Tannoy.

I have sampled so far in order of preference:

-Pass Labs XA25 -Disneyland color the way I like it. $4,900 new
-Leben 300 Int. 12 wpc. EL 84s by Golden Lion-Like an Upscale call girl. Seductive. $4,000 new-Not in the running-

-Lejonklou Boazu Int.-40wpc S.S. Class a/b-Totally Pure. Almost hurts to hear a guitar slide. $4,000 new
-Sugden Masterclass IA 4 Class A to 33wpc. Very smooth but surprisingly not a great match with my Tannoys. $6,000?

What else would you think might be worth a listen?
I want to go Solid State this time. I enjoy the Class A resolution.
Yes the Leben is an outlier someone offered and I said "Sure"! Done with hum otherwise.


I listen from a low of 60 db to high of 75 db.
Room is irregular and medium sized in terms of cubic
feet. Treated as needed.

I want an amp that is satisfying enough to keep for the long run.
Someday I may add the others for a different sound or with less efficient planars, etc.

Price range $5k max.
Used preferred.
Willing to wait.

Brands I am have not heard but read positive comments about:
Ayre, Naim, Linn

Thank you all in advance for your thoughts.
Please do not feel compelled to respond if you
have not been here in the last few years.





chorus

Showing 1 response by ag3__

Edit: didn't read the thread but seems you made a good decision !

--

I’ve got a pair of the newer tannoy eatons. For low powered SS I’ve tried the XA25 (current amp) and several FW models (F7 and SIT3). The SIT3 isn’t a good match imo. I really like the XA25, I think it's a great match with Tannoys. 

Prior tube amps included the LTA UltraLinear (for sale) and the new PrimaLuna. While I enjoy tubes, i prefer a well made ss to tubes over the long run for the added detail, bass control etc. The LTA is no slouch but prefered the Pass head to head, although it bested both the F7 and SIT3 in my set up.

2 amps I’d like to try when funds permit are the Valvet e2se and the bakoon 13R

These amps are reportedly quite similar to the pass XA25. All low powered, ss. Bakoon is class AB I believe, from what I've read I'm expecting similar sound to the Pass. Valvet is class A and single ended and have several 2nd hand reports of people enjoying it more than the Pass