Member's recommendations for tube amplification


Your thoughts on options to consider:

- I'd prefer SET (open to DHT but not a requirement).

- I'm not looking for overtly warm, romantic or lush options.

- Minimum power in the teens to twenties, 10W being the floor.

- Open to higher power push-pull amps, but let's limit ceiling to around 60W.

- Single ended is fine though having XLR inputs would be nice (doesn't have to be true balanced)

- I'm cool with single chassis or monos.

- I have preferences for tube types, but leaving it open ended to get broad recommendations.

- I'm currently running an all solid state system, though have had tube based systems built around ARC, BAT, Ayon, Melody, Pathos, etc.

- Preamp will be a Pass XP-20 or the Metrum Adagio DAC direct to the amp.

- I'd like to stay around 3K used but can push the budget to 6K new/used.

- Speaker sensitivity is 94dB and higher.

THANKS!
david_ten

Showing 2 responses by rmasoni

Call David Berning directly and ask him to tell you about his 300B or 6B4G push-pull amp that he builds on request.  It is spectacular. His ZOTL circuitry, fully balanced, Class A.  He included 47 step Goldpoint attenuator when he built mine - so it can be used as an "integrated", albeit with a single input (either RCA or XLR). Will cost you around $7K, but there is nothing like it - check out Harley's double down on the Flagship 211/845. You get the same sound in a smaller package.
David,  glad that was helpful.  This is the same amp Berning uses (in the 6B4G configuration) in this personal system . . . and he is driving 87db speakers. The reason these are "affordable" is because he builds them in his own shop, cosmetics be damned (although there is relatively inexpensive solution to the cosmetics)!!   I have had for years the flagship integrated of Pathos Acoustics - the Inpol2, which is a hybrid design with tube input and MOSFET outputs, fully balanced, 45W Class A.  A new one will cost you $13k. I've got mine listed for $4K.  Its a wonderful amp, but the Berning is significantly better.

Best of luck in your search!

Rick