2. amps-preamps
  3. 1221604868

Powerful Tube Amp for SF Strads?

I am looking for recommendations for a powerful tube amp for my Strads. A powerful tube amp which truly excels at palpability, musicality but also has very good bass control (though bass control is not as 'mission critical' to me as palpability).

My current amp (see below) sounds great to my ears!...but runs out of steam much too soon.

My system today:

Zanden 5000S DAC
CJ Act 2
CJ MV60 (EL 34 tube)
SF Strads (4ohms, 92db sensitivity though impedence does dip to 2.5ohms)
Velodyne DD-18 (run in parallel)
Transparent Ref/Ref XL cabling throughout
Purist Audio Dominus PC

In addition to recommendations, any thoughts are welcome on Wavac, Audio Note, Zanden, VTL, CJ LP275...or monoblocking MV60 (EL34)? Thanks!

Lloydelee21
lloydelee21

Showing 4 responses by pubul57

pubul57
3,712 posts
 
CAT JL2 or 3 for sure, I think they can handle most any load and with 100 watts of Class A, Triode power they avoid what Raquel alludes to regarding high-power tube amps, they tend not to sound as good as their lower-power bretheren (assuming the lower power remains sufficient power to drive the speakers).
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
I agree with Raquel. There is unlikely to be a tube amplifier with the drive and current of a CAT, but I also agree that they are much like a Ferrari (a Cobra) too, they are super high performance, but they are not drop in and forget'em amps. But they are hard to beat for one of the very best sounding amps you will ever hear, espcially when you need High Watt SS bass with SET midrange delicacy. I would like fuse protection for tube failures, but then it wouldn't be a CAT.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
The XA.5 series is the best SS I have heard, and their 30 watt amp should be more than enough to drive the SFs plenty loud in most rooms for most people - I think it is very conservatively rated at 30 watts. THe .5 iteration is much better at delivering current into low and volatile impedance swings - should do very well with the SF in that regard. It worked superbly well with the Merlin VSMs (a much easier load the SF), and would expect the same with the SFs. Is it tubes, no - but it sure sounds good.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
I don't question the quality if the Eternal Arts - never having heard them, but I would stick with Atma-sphere for OTLs which are outstanding soundwise, U.S. made, very reliable, can repaired here in the US should it ever need it, and has a healthy afetermarket if you should ever tire of it. In fact you can by used here and sell back for roughly the same should it not be your cup of tea.
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