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Low-Powered Tube Amp for Zu Soul MkII?

I'm totally new to tube gear, but I just got a new pair of Zu Soul Mark II speakers, and I think my old solid state integrated might need to be replaced with a tube amp. I've been reading that these high-efficiency speakers really like lower-powered tube amps, and I'm wondering if anyone here has experience with them. Here are my constraints:

I have a small room.
I'd love to get something that's made in the 'ol USA.
Preferably around or below $2K.
It would be ideal if it could fit inside our existing cabinet, which is 17.5" deep (this rules out the Cronus and maybe even the Sphinx, unless I make some huger changes).

I love the look of the Rogue Cronus and maybe the Sphinx even more, and these prices are conceivable. But one of my conditions is that I need to be able to hide all this stuff, and my cabinet's too small depth-wise for some of these bigger amps, sadly.

Thanks for any suggestions!
dungan

Showing 6 responses by dungan

dungan OP
6 posts
 
Thanks Bobheinatz, I'd not heard of Wright before. His stuff looks intriguing for sure. It's now on our list for an eventual, possible upgrade from the Sophia... but I think we are going to keep the Baby amp for a while!
dungan OP
6 posts
 
Thanks very much everyone for your suggestions, the board of domestic affairs is mulling them over. The idea of vintage gear appeals strongly to me, and I'd love to do that someday, but the prospect of another project on my hands might be out of the question (I have too many things that need a lot of tinkering to maintain already). The little Eastern Electric amp seems like it might be a solid piece too- and might be the way to go if we decide to change our handmade-in-USA-only-directive. I really dig the Decware stuff, and the Zen Triode integrated with its four inputs seems intriguing. The Quicksilver remote control integrated amp looks interesting too- anyone heard one of these?
dungan OP
6 posts
 
I think we might punt: get something smaller and cheaper (and maybe not made here) for now, and then move on up to something more serious and spendy later when we have more cash to do it right... Like a Cary or Melody. Eventually, maybe preamp/poweramp. I'll be watching this board for used amps, and thanks to the knowledgeable people who were kind enough to comment!
dungan OP
6 posts
 
Thanks again wise people. We've gone small and relatively frugal for the time being and bought a used Sophia Baby, which the new Souls seem to love. Super awesome. I'm not surprised that it's leaps ahead of the old Rotel integrated in every direction, but we are digging it a little more than expected. This is going to do us for a while. Will be fun to listen to things get better as the speakers/cables and some new interconnects break in.
dungan OP
6 posts
 
Just sent it in for some upgrades... and we miss it. It's really sparkly and lovely with the Souls, and it's plenty of power with those speakers and our small space. Having some bass problems, but I think it's our room that's the culprit, as we had similar issues with the previous speakers. Someday we might step up to something some powerful, but I think that might be a long time coming. Really love this little amp.
dungan OP
6 posts
 
Hi Mt10425,

I'm getting the RCA's changed out. I think the bass problems are due to the room, which is an L shape, and it's also the living room, which means speaker placement is not very variable. Have had some good results from changing the angle and changing the gap between floor and bass ports. In any case, there's plenty of bass in most of the room, the big exception being when you sit down where the sweet spot ought to be. Anywhere more or less at driver level and removed from speakers lacks low end pretty dramatically. But elsewhere in the room, including standing up closer to speakers, is nice and heavy. I guess we could add a sub, but I'm a little concerned about over-bassing everywhere but the listening position.
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