Hum level with Absolare amps

97dB horns with powerful tube amp isn't a good match at all.
You either need lower-powered amp or you need SS amp. Solid states are usually more quiet especially for very sensitive speakers.

not in agreement with Czarivey. I run a pair of 98dB/w/m, 16ohm nominal impedance horns with 2 x 15" woofer per channel. I've experimented with a number of SETs amps. best overall match went to a pair of 60wpc OTL amps - even though these cost significantly less any of my SET amps.

SS & horns are a diff matter altogether.

I heard Atmasphere amps are very great with noise floor just like solid states, but was generalizing rather than being particular. I also believe that Berning ZOTL amps that are substantially lower in power, but also have great noise floor parameters. I believe that >100dB is the number to go after when dealing with sensitive speakers.

The Absolare amps are very quiet and you should be fine. These amps sound wonderful, good luck with trying solid state, would not be my first option.

Agree with Charles1dad post above.SS amps would not be my option either.I have 96db horns and would jump for the Absolare if I could afford them.

Thanks for the replies, I am now using 18W lamm ML2.1 which is very quiet but Cessaro told me that the TAD 15' bass drivers actually could benefit with more power so I guess the Absolare could be a good match.

hi Luna, I have owned & have run Lamm ML2.1 with my speakers (Classic Audio T-1.4) which have field coil modified TAD drivers.

I've tried 2 other SET amps on my speakers (Kondo Ongaku, Shindo Lafon GM-70). each pairing has its own merit, but it did however take me a bit more power for the bottom end to come alive.

the ML2.1 generally gave a slightly analytical & recessed presentation which I'd personally characterize as "good hifi sound" (as opposed to a lively recreation of the musical event). its low freq was however more extended than the other SET amps.

regarding "more power" - really depends how large your room is, how far you sit from speakers, your choice of music & how loud you listen. your priorities & preferences will also play a huge role.

going back to your orig. post - you shouldn't be getting hum thru speakers (regardless of amp selection) unless you have EMI/RFI or grounding issues. white noise shouldn't be an issue either.

given a choice, I'd rather go with noisy but good sounding components over quiet but bad sounding components.

I have run the Absolare 845 amps with Coincident PRE's and ZU Def MKIV. Rated at 94 & 101 db respectively. There was basically no hum with the Coincidents and a slight hum at the speaker with the ZU's. No hum heard at the listening position. Also ran heavily modded Coincident Frank II's with both. The 8 watt Franks were a little quieter but not by much. The extra power, ease, bass and finesse of the 845 tubes are well worth it IMHO.

The 6SN7 tubes used in the Absolare need to be non-microphonic for sure. If you get good 6SN7 tubes, I doubt you will have any noise issues.

Hope this helps.