Mid-fi tube vs high-end SS

what efficiency speakers are you using?

contemplating less efficient speakers in the future?

What sound levels, how large a space?

Think 'prefered', not better.

IOW, I would expect to prefer the sound of tubes over sound of SS, unless not enough power.

Another thought is speakers that can be bi-amped, use SS for Bass only, keep tubes for mid/highs

I like your amp, would not consider it mid-fi, a very nice mid-powered tube amp, which I suspect sounds very nice. A bit more power than my Cayin A88T using KT88s 45wpc.

now, your BEAUTIFUL speakers, sensitivity 86 db is NOT easy to drive from a watts/sensitivity perspective, I think the designer is meaning, it's mostly constant 6 ohm impedance curve is not hard to drive.

Probably so, but I would want more power reserves for any speaker with low 86 db sensitivity, for instantaneous peaks, or bi-amp them.

IOW, unlike some KEFs, etc which are difficult to drive, with very low dips of impedance, yours's are consistently near 6 ohm, easy only by comparison to difficult speakers to drive..

So, I would consider the speaker, not the amp.

1st, I would try stuffing up the port. 

It is a transmission design, seems a nasty thing to go against it's method of achievement, however, perhaps it's bass ability is masking it's mids.

a. partially with soft diffuse material, across the face of the port

b. fully with some dense foam

Perhaps with some bass cut, the mids will be very nice.

2. move on to other speakers, higher sensitivity, and one not trying for too much bass which I think can be a mistake people make when reading numbers.

Where do you live, I wanna hear that amp and those speakers!!! I’m in Plainfield, NJ, 07062

I might try a graphic equalizer, to ascertain if either boosting the mids a speck, or lowering the bass a bit would get a preferable sound out of those speakers. People tend to try this and that with the controls, too much messing about. I had one, found just a touch here or a slight touch there was enough.

this one has a 32hz band, better when trying to tame bass, many equalizers start higher, i.e. 60hz lowest band.

used one, inexpensive, hear results, go from there. you can learn a lot for $45.

 

independent controls for L and R help if room surfaces, etc vary which is often the case.

.............................................

My speakers have 2 L-pads, I can adjust the mid horn relative to the woofer, then adjust the tweeter horn to that mix. Old days, they all came with level controls. Speakers didn’t know what space they would end up in. Adjust for your room, move to another space, re-adjust them for that space, or your preffered sound, or your individual hearing

I use an inexpensive SPL meter, combined with a Test CD with many 1/3 octave bands. After that, adjust for preference, your hearing, ... by ear.

Meter on tripod, ear level, listening position.

$20.

 

https://www.discogs.com/release/7290000-Various-Amazing-Bytes

tracks 9 to 38

expensive, I bet I could find you a copy.

I’m having fun looking on hifishark

DBX, rack mount, balanced connectors

 

This Sherwood starts at 16hz (scratched)

 

 

This one is also a line level input selector, has direct/bypass or EQ in, other features, also starts 32hz

 

 

same seller, black

 

he has new ones, not much more $, and he offers 30 day returns

This custom adjustable McIntosh unit is very interesting. Not for you, but others might find it tempting. 

Seems it is for BASS, either FLAT or boost, some or some more (not to cut bass)

 

review

https://www.kenrockwell.com/audio/mcintosh/mq-104.htm

 

Well, I skirt Boston when I visit my Mother and Brother in Maine. She will be 100 yrs old this coming Feb.

I appreciate the offer. How far in from 495/95 are you? Perhaps we could work out a short visit on the way up or down. 

Let's move to private messages.