Integrated for Cornwall IV

Well, my Sugden didn't do so well with CW4's, as one channel had a buzz, but it could just be my particular amp.  I have found my best choice is a Moonriver 404R integrated.  I like it better than the one tube amp I've tried (Dennis Had Inspire), and better than the Pass XA30.8, IMHO.  I'd like to try my AN Oto but the CW's are at another location, and the Oto doesn't travel well.

Aric Audio makes tube amplifiers that have volume control. If one's only sources are digital and switching between them occurs at the DAC they could be a great option. He incorporates variable damping (feedback), auto bias, and accommodate several tube types.  I encourage you to give him a call. I own the Transcend PP and have used it sans preamp with a DAC having 2V output into a pair of Tannoy Sterkings..

Just paid for a Jolida 1000RC integrated that I’m picking up after my Vegas trip late next week. Local and good price. Really liked the couple Jolida pieces I’ve had in the past so we shall see. Much less than I was planning to spend. For the price I can unload it easily and break even if not make a hundred or two. 

Has anyone had experience with an Octave integrated on the Cornwalls? 

I would strongly suggest something with tubes. 

@mofojo if SS is in the cards, I’m guessing the latest Krell integrated, think it’s the 300i would be a great match.

It has the first 90 watts in class A, should pair really well with the Cornwallis.

Good Luck.

BELLES with Klipsch...Beautiful.  This combo is like going to a live concert...Tones down the brightness but leaves all the detail...That's what you want.

Another vote for the Accuphase E-280. I own the E-380, and I’m very pleased, though don’t run Klipsch (Totem Forest Signature). The high efficiency of the Cornwall should make the E-280 plenty powerful. Enjoy the misc.

You have speakers with 102db at 1W which means you can use amplifiers with only 0.7W. You have a lot of choices, class A amplifiers like the Sugden (also check the INT25 out) but also valve amplifiers. I also like the philosophy behind the FirstWatt SIT-4, which has SIT transistors (they have characteristics similar to valve triodes).

I have a sugden a21 se signature with Cornwall IIIs and it’s sublime.  Incredible synergy.  Clean and open yet warm and full.  It’s a superb match.  

Not the same, but I have a pair of Cornwall decorators that are modded with a lot of bracing, Crites Xover and Crites super tweeters. 
 

I drive them with a low watt EL84 SE amp, a low watt single ended SS VFet amp, Push Pull EL34 tube, 100 watt class A/B SS, some misc class d amps and a Class A SS amp. The SS Class A 30w amp is by far the most engaging, with PRAT, dynamic/tight bass,  a 3D soundstage and tons of rich texture/tone. 

Class A SS amp, tube front end works really well for me on the older Cornwalls  

Yeah I don’t always listen loud but need mid nineties db effortlessly. 

It also depends how loud you play it.  Cornwall are very efficient and are fast, dynamic, clear, bass authority, but subs help.

A 25W Pass will drive them or Luxman or Sugden.  The Pass integrated is pricy but excellent.  I had an 20W Aegir and it kicked out, thus the Pass.  I have a Khozmo passive because gain is not needed.  Some like flavor with a preamp.Personally those little 5W tube amps are fine if you don't go over 85dB or so.

I tried tube amps with my fortes, however, I found they didn’t really start coming alive/musical until I had very clean strong SS gear attached to it. Tube gear just didn’t give the base control. It also comes down to which SS amp do you use?

Klipsch are very efficient speakers however I find more power makes them better when it comes to dynamics and control

Well I’m not great at describing this stuff but here goes…. 

Big texture and tone.

snappy snare drums and punchy bass, especially mid bass. 
 

Realistic vocals on the deeper/darker side. 
 

Good Prat to keep up with fast music. 
 

Highs that are present but not overwhelming or sharp. Smooth I would say for the high end. 

If you don’t share what sound characteristics you’re looking for you’ll just get recommendations for what other people like and that may have little or nothing to do with what you like. Telling us what type of music you listen to is near useless and not sufficient to make meaningful recommendations. The more info you share here the better and more effective the recommendations will be.

It's a close call, but ultimately tubes, and you'll always have that doubt in the back of your mind unless you try a good tube integrated.  I ended up with a Rogue RP-7 and Stereo 100.

@ivickery ,

Do you prefer tubes or the Sudgen overall? I’m on the fence. 
 

thanks

The Sugden match is good, I had a A21SE Signature with my Cornwall IV's and loved it.  In hindsight I should have kept it.  One thing to watch is the volume on the Sugden is touchy.  Anything past 10 o'clock and it's too loud for me.  I ended up with tube separates and will most likely pick up a IA-4 integrated in the future.

Couple of pre owned Cary SLI80 and 300b integrated on AG and USAM. I’ve got an SLI80HS on my Volti and it’s a beautiful match. Also like the on the fly switch from Triode to UL whenever I’m inclined. My music tastes are right in line with OP. I also think the Sugden would be a great match. That was in the top 3 when I was shopping around.

Sugden should be quite good. Also, I'm told by someone whose tastes line up with mine that an Accuphase E-280 is like peanut butter and chocolate/peas and carrots, etc. etc., with the Cornwall's.

I’m interested in the Cornwall IV’s and have been researching them. My present system has both a class A amp (Pass XA25) and Quicksilver Mono 60 tube amps (which can run KT77s, about 25w each).

After doing a bunch of research on these very sensitive speakers, I see a lot of evidence that lower watt amps are the most musical match with these speakers. We’re talking less than 30 wpc. So, First Watt, Decware, 300b amps, that kind of thing. Such amps should be able to play all kinds of music, easily, and likely provide the best pairing with the Cornwalls. Again, this is based on my research.

If I go ahead and get the Cornwalls, I’ll be trying them with amps from 3 watts to 15 watts or so.

Just my two cents.

You might also look here or here or here, or on the Klipsch fora, here.

Really depends on what sound characteristics you’re looking for.

Coincidentally, I just put a post about how my Forte IVs sound amazing with my Luxman 505Uxii and 507Z however, the 590axII (I think that’s the right model number) is class A and I bet it would be amazing with your Klipsch. The tone controls are also amazing on these integrated, so would allow you a little tweaking if necessary, or you can disable and go line straight.

I had a Decware integrated, 6 watt on the Forte IVs, but the Luxman blew it away

That’s good to hear. If I go ss that’s the main one I’m looking at. 

Can't comment on the Lyndorf, but the Sugden is a match made in heaven.