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Need A 10-30 watt Tube Power Amp, Lower Heat Output, Which Sounds Great, Under $1500 Used

I am in need of a mid-spring to mid-autumn power amp. This is for my office system that gets a LOT of use and is therefore very important, in terms of sound quality. I have been using a great SET amp, but the 845's it's based around simply heat up the smaller room space too much during warmer weather, even when running central air. I've been in the tube audio game a long time, though, and know there are amps with designs and tubes that run far cooler and wouldn't present the room heating issues. 

I pondered something solid state, but there simply isn't much in the power range, which is also within my price range. Also, I would want an amp with at least some tube-like sound qualities, which makes it even more difficult. In a perfect world, something like a First Watt F7 would be ideal, but its twice my budget, used. 

10 watts would do it, but anything up to 50, or so would be fine, of course. It will be powering Omega, single driver speakers of 94.5 sensitivity and be paired with a Zesto Leto preamp. 

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! 

nightfall
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,666 posts
 

All tube amps make heat so not sure if reducing it by 25% is going to make that much difference. also at your budget your definitely into used/vintage if you want something good that will last.

Also your SET makes a lot of heat but anything with with a push pull configuration will make similar heat. The more tubes an amp has the more heat. I’d look for a SS rectified SET to eliminate another large heat source.

That said I spotted a vintage Luxman Tube amp in my local vintage audio shop for $1500can$ so there are some nice used/vintage amps out there, it will just take time and or luck.

chenry's avatar
chenry
184 posts
 

NuPrime IDA-8. Class A-D. Compact. Runs cool.

nightfall OP
188 posts
 

Thanks very much for all the suggestions, but integrated amps are not in play here. I'm not changing the rest of my system to accommodate one. 

dentdog's avatar
dentdog
498 posts
 

You may want to look up the Quicksilver Mid Mono amps. Plenty of power and use any of a number of output tubes. Sweet sounding. Was looking used and none available. Noticed on HiFi Shark they last about 3-4 days. New less than 2K.

akgwhiz
184 posts
 

Raven Audio. Avian Series amps, push pull, 20-30w.  2000-3000 used.  US made.

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