Need help choosing...


Hi:

I am modifying my system, one step at a time, and I need a little input (so to speak):

My front end consists of an EAD 2000 CD player, a tuner and a CJ PV10AL preamp.

I have a pair of PS Audio Delta250 mono amps, which I am going to replace, connected via 6-meter Audioquest Rubys.

My speakers are NHT 3.3s (which I just purchased and have not installed yet. I also have two suwoofers (I can use either/or, or none) - an older, powered Velodyne 12", and a new NHT Sub Two powered dual 10". If I use one of the subs, I need input on cabling, too. Maybe I'll use my AQ Rubys, and get new cables for the mains.

My room is large, app. 25 ft x 40 ft with a pitched ceiling rising from 12 ft to 20 ft, one wall of all glass, carpeted floors.

I am in the music business, and for my critical listening, listen primarily to rock and pop music, VERY loudly.

My questions are these-

1) I LOVE the sound and feel of tubes, and would love to use mono tube amps in my system, but I am concerned about power, and about lack of bass extension/control/slam. Which used amps do you recommend? I have been looking at VTL (225t or 250s), Manley (Ref 350s), Melos (400 watt triodes), Sonic Frontiers (Power 2 or 3s), etc.

2) Should I go Solid State, and stick with Krells, MLs, Brystons or the like?

3) Should I biamp, and then get an external x-over, tube amps for the high end and use my PS Audios for the woofers? Or use one of the powered subwoofers?

Any thoughts??

Thanks - Jeff
jeffj

Showing 2 responses by travis

I think you need something that glows in the dark. I use Atma-Sphere to good effect. Sonic Frontier 3s would be a good choice, too. I don't have experience with the other amps you mention. Why don't you put some romance in your life? Toobs.
Oh, well. Too bad nobody (except me) thinks you can get the SPLs you apparently need from toobs. I guess I'm thinking if you can't get enough SPLs from 2-3 hundred watts a channel (Sonic Frontiers) of toob power, well, maybe you need a slightly more efficient loudspeaker. Good luck. Sure hope those NHTs sound good with whatever you feed them.