Looking for 50-100 watts of Tube Power (give or take) for my JBL 4349s


I’ve been looking at new and used 50-100 wpc power amps in the $5000 range to drive my JBL 4349s. I don’t have any experience in this price or power bracket when it comes to tubes, and could use some reccomendations.

Here are the amps I’ve been researching (the usual suspects I assume):

Rogue Stereo 100

Cary CAD-120s Mk2

Audio Research Reference 150SE

Audio Research VT80SE

Carver Crimson 275

Various vintage Corad Johnson amps

I’d love to hear why people would choose one of the amps from this list, or what else I should consider that isn’t on the list. I don’t have a preamp yet but will probably try a Benchmark la4 first.

For context, my main amp right now is a Torii Jr, but I also use the 4349s with a Muzishare X7 and a Denon PMA-1700NE. I love the Torii Jr and will continue to use it, but would occasionally like more power. The Muzishare is fine, but I want something of better quality.

My musical tastes are all over the place: rock, pop, jazz, world, electronic, classical. I listen to a lot of symphonic/orchestral music and would like more power to handle the dynamics, but prefer the soundstaging of tubes.

Thanks in advance for the recommendations!

 

 

rischa

I suggest you review Quicksilver and BAT amplifiers. I found them both to be superb.

Good luck with your selection!

Not on the OP list and worth considering - McIntosh MC275 with C2300. Amazing sound.

A pair of nicely restored pair of Dynaco MkIII's with 6550's! I have the rare Paoli version!

Just my two bits. There's been several really great suggestions already. I would like to pitch Cary products. I used to sell them in the 90's and always wanted an SLI 80 ever since I first set one up and played hundred of hours of musical enjoyment while "working" there. Regardless of what speaker combo i threw at it, Tannoy, Mission, Mordont Short, NHT, it was always engaging and musical. I finally ordered my own from Cary Direct last year and could not be happier. It's a great match with my Volti Razz. I also owned a very early Cary hybrid CAD 2500A, that was a nice and punchy 80WPC amp. I like the factory support, the fact they're still made in the US.