High sensitivity bookshelf speakers to pair with SET amp? Nearfield romanticism.

@paulcreed

I run my de Capos with a 4 watt Decware tube amp  plenty loud  not concert loud :)

I second the Reference 3a Decappo be also but not sure if the 92 db rating is accurate. I am running it with a Conrad Johnson CAV 45 S2 with no problem but it is also a 60 watt amp. I will say it I’m really enjoying these speakers very nice full bass and not bright at all. I was reluctant with the be tweeter, Soundstage is huge and goes beyond the speakers boundaries, a very natural musical speaker.

Thanks guys.

@jasonbourne52 Ya it is a good system for sure. But I am looking the VA haydn grand, much more musical sounding and much more bass output.

I do wonder if a warmer tube preamp would pair better with the ATC.

I like the ProAc monitors the small ones, very natural sounding plus efficient and for near field I hate speakers that are bright, forward, edgy. 

I have not heard but Fritz are easy to drive. 

PS horn speakers may be a different color but not a bad color.

Omega speakers all the way... Go for the Alnico...

SET can be wonderful with large easy-to-drive horns or large full-range driver systems. I have pass gear, first-watt gear and SET as well as other amplifiers when using SET you need to greatly consider associated loudspeakers to get the best results. The comment all high-sensitivity speakers are way too colored is just wrong and is a faulty generalization.

Stick with your ARC/Pass/ATC system! Keep the Crack for use with your phones. No SET amp can equal the Pass amp for driving real world speakers!

Klipsch Heresy’s on a very sturdy shelf. No bass though! They roll off at 65hz. Excessively bright highs because of the EV horn tweeter. SET tube amps are only good for use with headphones. I have three: a 45, a 2A3 and a 6BG4 (1.75, 3.5 and 6 watts respectively). All the high- sensitivity speakers (EV, Klipsch, Lowther, Volti, Zu) are way too colored in sound!

Hofmann's Iron Law

three parameters that cannot all be had at the same time. They are low-bass reproduction, small (enclosure) size, and high (output) sensitivity." Hofmann stated that designers could pick two of these three parameters, but in doing so, it would compromise the third parameter.

The de Capos are worth a look, rear ported but great sound

(1) Review: Reference 3A MM de Capo BE monitors | What's Best Audio and Video Forum. The Best High End Audio Forum on the planet! (whatsbestforum.com)