Need Amp or next component upgrade advice

A lot of things come to mind. One, if the Black Ice repair is the guys in Maryland (the old Jolida importer), I had bad luck with them. Long lead time, said no time to look at it. Then said they didn’t touch it. I got it back to look at and it was just a bad tube. It was an amp I bought for my Dad, had to ship it across the country so I could look at it.

Second, I’m not sure what the Black Ice sounds like but on your budget I would stick with it and maybe try some Gold Lyon EL-34s.

I think your best system upgrade would be a loudspeaker upgrade. Might want to start a new thread.

BTW, why does this amp need a check up?

Looking forward to your response.

Edit: I like the Triangle bookshelves. They have a good product in all price ranges. And they play well at low volumes.

I wouldn’t run your speakers with a tube amp — ATCs need some power to fully do what they can do even at low volumes.  I’d either switch speakers or sell your amp and get a hybrid integrated (like a Unison Unico) or a solid state amp and tube preamp.  Just my $0.02 FWIW.

I bought a Fosi V3 ( not the monos ) out of curiosity. I don't know whether it was working properly or not but it would not drive my Sonus Faber Sonetto V speakers. However the return was easy so it would cost you nothing to try it. 

Look into used Brystons. they built to work forever

Thanks a lot everyone. I appreciate you all helping me think through this.

@russ69, yes the shop is Black Ice HQ in Maryland. I live about 30 minutes from them. I would just drive it up there and hand it to Jerred. I have always had very positive experiences with them, and Jerred has always been very cool to talk with. My guess is that they have gotten more popular now, and I can understand how the backlog would grow. I do know that they are a very small outfit.

As for the check up, I just want him to look it over, fix a buzz in the headphone jack, and give it a clean bill of health should I want to sell it (I purchased it used)... He told me to bring it to him a couple of years ago, but like I said, I just haven’t made that happen. So the amp works, and I am happy with it. But I do wonder about non-tube or hybrid options... (-: and if they are backlogged, then I either don’t take to him or purchase another amp/integrated to keep the music going in the meantime or make it my new primary. I was running KT150s and now I am running KT170s for power to max it out for the ATCs, and to provide heat for my little office in the winter. A good segue to soix’s point about the ATCs...

@soix, I agree, they need more power. One "motivation" to look at options. Or like you said, replace them, which is definitely an option in my mind as well. I am really torn on this.. Keep them and get a higher powered amp to set them free, or replace them. I guess it is a "good" dilemma. I can only make one $$ move for at least the next year... So, I want to make the investment count!

@mazian, Re the Fosi, as I mentioned, a few folks on Audiogon have been talking about them, especially the new monoblocks. Tricking them out with Sparko. So I thought, ok, I can have a cheaper option to "dabble" in amp alternatives. But once I factor in dual power supplies, add the Sparko upgrades, I am in the $700+ range. Well on my $$ way to other options. But, like you said, returns are easy...

One of the things I am very "nervous" about with non-tube is fatigue and shrill higher-end potential. My ears rebel very quickly. When working from home, I am listening for 12-14 per day.

@czarivey et al, I will look into your equipment recommendations.

Have a great rest of your respective evenings.

Well, first you must decide if you want to build around the ATCs. 

If so I agree with @soix that they may respond better to SS amplification. 

@bogbeat Wrote:

Regarding a pre-amp, I can’t afford one at the same time, unless I can get both for that $2000 max.

Look into Schiit Audio, maybe a Freya+ preamp $1049 and a Vidar amp $799.

Mike

Maybe a Wired 4 Sound mINT integrated here

Maybe a Wired 4 Sound mINT integrated here

Agree that the ATC needs more power than the typical tube amp can provide. So if want tube amplification, should change to a more efficient speakers

Curious, Anyone have any experience with the PS Audio Stellar S300?

I own the Stella S300. Using it to drive my Magnapan LRS+ speakers in a 12x15' room.  Preamp is an Aric Audio Super 6SN7.  I purchased the S300 off AG used for ~$900. It has 2 pairs of speaker outputs so could drive your sub(s).  It surly has the power to drive your ATCs in your room and would likely mate well with the Freya+ recommended by ditusa. As an alternative you might try a passive preamp to run between your tube DAC and amp while you have your tube integrated checked out.  

Best of luck in your quest.

Thanks @mesch .  

You are welcome.

My first thought was a used 4B Bryston.