Need amp suggestions for Hedlund Horns....

If I went with any of these great 2A3 amps, what preamps work with them?  I have with me a VTL dual mono tube amp, and use it to power a musical fidelity A3cr 210 @ 4ohms to my Martin Logan Ascents.  

I have a feeling these lower power SET amps need a different type of preamp.   Suggestions?  

@ramoneo14 I assume you meant a VTL preamp and not amp? I see no reason that preamp wouldn't work you should at least wait to try it out with your new amp. No need to upgrade until you see how the pairing sounds. SET amps don't require any special type of preamp, try not to overthink this stuff.

zuio
I due subscribe to AS, I think they had a review on referenced pre-amp either last June or July.  Due to some paint projects in the home, I have some magazines , including that issue packed away. When the opportunity presents itself, I will make it a point to see what the review has to say.
Thanks for the info.

charles1dad
Thanks for the info, at this point in time, I think if  I decide in the future to opt for a Coincident amp, it would only make sense to me to pair it with there pre-amp for the best senergy.

Ramoneo, ,
Jond is correct, SET amplifiers don't have any special preamplifier requirements, just use one of good quality and you'll be fine. 

Brad,
As you'd expect the Coincident siblings are a superb pairing.  I've also heard my amplifier with the Atma-Sphere MP-1 and the VAC  Signature MK II and they were excellent matches. Brad which coincident amplifier are you interested in?
Charles, 

@jond  Yes sorry VTL Dual Mono Preamp going to a MF A3CR SS amp.  
OK I'll try using that first.  Thanks for the heads up- trying not to get too deep in the rabbit hole.  

charles1dad
If some time in the future I decide to assemble an SET system, the 300B mono's would be a primary consideration.

BTW I did view your system photos, WOW.  Besides all the superb components you have, your listening area is probably one of the better ones I have seen. I think it would be a valid hypothesis to conclude how accurate your components and room reproduce music. I am sure it's very enjoyable.

Brad,
I decided to finish a section of our basement and make it my music listening space. This allowed me to listen to music àt any time without disturbing other family members.  Its been 18 years since we built our home and I'm still enjoying the listening room very much. 

If you do purchase the Coincident Frankenstein amplifier one day I believe that you'll be quite happy with their performance. I consider them the heart and soul of my system. They have a special organic breath of life quality. 
Charles, 

My current VTL Dual Mono Preamp will be relocated downstairs to power another system.  

Any Tortuga LDR3.v2 owners out there looking to sell?  Of all the passive preamps out there, this Tortuga intrigues me the most, wish I can audition one around here to see how it mates with a SET 2A3 amp.  

Ramoneo,
Have you made a specific choice  of the various available  2A3 SETs?

@charles1dad any room in the rest of your basement and if so may I move in?  My 800 sq ft condo  is not really conducive to imaging! :-)

Hi Jond,
Actually I have plenty of room these days. My kids have graduated from college and have moved on with their careers and life. My wife and I are empty nesters 😊. Life truly does pass by rapidly. 
Charles, 

Charles I know what you mean it does fly by, so if I get fired and my GF kicks me out I will definitely be over thanks. :-)

@charles1dad  + Yes I placed a bid for the Tube Audio Labs Western Electric Clone 2A3 Stereo Amplifier for $525 and it was accepted.  Did some reading before and read all the happy owners of Min's builds.  I now have some extra cash to put in a nice preamp.  Was thinking of several options:  Some type of passive preamp like a Tortuga LDR3.v2 /Lightspeed or if there is another recommendation in the sub $1k.  

I know system synergy is what I'm after.  My speakers are AER MK1 loaded in a Hedlund horn at about 102db efficiency.  My sources will be: VPI Scout II to a Sutherland Ph3D Phono Pre, a Marantz DV8400 multi player, and an Original DaVinci CD player.  I'm not sure of specs for the coming Tube Audio Labs 2A3 amp.  

Any suggestions? 

Hi Ramoneo,
Congratulations on acquiring the amplifier. I’ve  read good comments on the Tubes Audio Labs products over the years. Based on Min’s reputation I assume that the transformers and parts are of good quality. If so you bought a quality SET for quite a good price 😊.

Your intention to try a passive preamplifier makes sense and could be an ideal match, you won’t know unless you try. At some point you can compare it to your VTL and see which one is preferable. You’re definitely putting together a very nice system.
Charles,

@ramoneo14 awesome news congrats on the new amp! And what a great deal at that price I would've bought it and I love my amp! Let us know how it sounds when it gets there. I don't know a ton about passives but this looks like a pretty good unit.
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-luminous-audio-axiom-2-passive-preamplifier-walker-mod...

But of course see how your VTL works first, the most affordable gear is what  you already own! Happy listening!

Since your considering a passive pre-amp, you may find the following link on the Lightspeed Attenuator interesting and a preamp to consider.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/lightspeed-attenuator-best-preamp-ever

Are the speakers in your profile picture hedlund horns??  Hedlund horns are massive (close to 7 feet tall).  Anyway, do you live in southern CA?  I would love to match my amplifier with your speakers.  I have a Woo Audio WA-5.  It's a 300B SET with Takatsuki 300B tubes.  It cost a lot, but I'm really impressed with the build quality and sound so far.  I have my eyes on a set of Medallion IIs with Lowther drivers.  You really have a nice set of speakers. 

Rvnye,
I've haven't heard the Woo Audio 300b SET but it has a very good reputation for sound quality. I used a Takatsuki pair in my amplifier for 3 years and know their excellence. I'm confident that your Woo would be a wonderful match with the Hedlund speakers. 
Charles, 

I'm in Minneapolis MN sorry otherwise I would.  You up for the drive? :)

Yes the picture on my profile are the Hedlunds.  And yes they are massive.

@ramoneo14 Don't forget to update us when your new amp arrives.

Ramoneo14,

I am a little late to the party here and  I am not familiar with your speakers but I will echo some of the previous praise for the Triode Labs/Finale amplifiers.
I am lucky enough to be local to Triode Labs/Finale.
Frank the head honcho there, was kind enough to lend me several of his amplifiers to try with my speakers (DIY Cornscalas, sensitivity about 102db).
I tried:
http://www.finaleaudio.com/f108/
http://www.triodelab.com/el-84/
Both of these EL84 amps sounded very nice, I would not have been disappointed with either.
I also tried them with my single driver Frugalhorns with great success.

I ultimately went with Frank's 2A3iS and could not be happier!
That is not to take away from either of the EL84 amps, for the money I cannot see much that could beat them.
As with all of Frank's amps, they are DEAD quiet, have very high build quality, and can be tailored the the customer's speakers and needs.

I would second the recommendation for the Frankensteins. They are among the best sounding amps I've ever owned, and I had quite a few. Beware of customer service though. I had a horror story. One day as I turned one channel on I heard a loud noise. I immediately turned it off, called Israel Blume, explained the "symptoms" and got the diagnosis: you burned the power transformer. I can send you a new one for $550 in three weeks. It took three months, but that was not the issue. After three months I turned the amplifier on again and miraculously it sounded well, no hum, no issues, no noise. The cause of the problem must have been something else--a bad cable perhaps? In any events, I asked Mr Blume if I could return the transformer--after all, he was the one who diagnosed it without hesitation. And after all, if he still manufactures Frankensteins, this part has some value for him. The answer: I am sorry but no. Pretty sad story for a company with this reputation and with such a high quality product.