2. amps-preamps
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Low power tube amp for Sonus Faber?

I'm thinking of buying an Italian tube integrated Mastersound 845 compact for my SF Elipsa SE. 
It uses 2 845 Valves, single ended at 30W per Channel. Would really like to try a valve amp on the Elipsa. Is this a mistake? Has anyone tried this? I've listened to Mastersound pf100 which are 120W mono blocks and I was blown away. Unfortunately the price difference is nearly ten fold. Has anyone tried using a low power valve amp with SF? 
ei001h

Showing 2 responses by audiothesis

audiothesis
168 posts
 
Hello ei,

I am the US distributor for MastersounD.  If you would like to talk more about options with your speakers, please feel free to reach out to me.  There are many things that would need to be discussed to make sure you get into the right amp for your needs.  

Cheers,

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audiothesis
168 posts
 
The Evolution 845 is the amplifier I was hoping to suggest and it looks like it is already on your radar.  The Compact 845 is an excellent amplifier, but might not be right for every situation.  In this case, I do think the Evolution 845 would be the top contender.  The price is much higher, but so is the performance.

Like Charles has hinted at, the transformers are massively beefed up in the Evolution 845, bringing the weight up from 75 lbs to 117 lbs.  I have had a few speakers in house where the Compact 845 was just not the right bill and for every one of those speakers, the Evolution 845 lit them up.  

The Evolution 845 is a statement piece that I have yet to find a poor match with.  I'm not saying they aren't out there, but they haven't presented themselves yet.  Even on Martin Logans, the amp has performed magnificently.
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