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
alimartin
4 posts
 
Try the new Eternal arts OTL amp. Just got a rave review in German mag "image hifi". I bought one 6 months ago and it is simply amazing. Best of both worlds: tube sound with Dartzeel speed. Look it up at www.audioclassica.de. I run mine withg Audionote AN-E loudspeakers, Bliss.
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.
jskg
16 posts
 
What about a pair of CJ LP140s or push the boat out further with a pair of LP275s?
lloydelee21 OP
1,202 posts
 
Hi jskg,

thanks...i am a big CJ and SF fan, as apparently you are as well. As i have the ACT 2 preamp and CJ mv60 amp at the moment, i am very seriously considering either of the 2 amps...am leaning towards pushing the boat out, as you say, and getting the 275 monos.

Have you compared the 275 to the 140? would love to hear your impressions about what the 275 gives you. thanks!
tuboo
93 posts
 
Have owned and listened to different Stradivari set up at friends.
have listened with many poweramps and one of the best matches turned out to be the accuphase P7100.
have listened to Wavac 833 1.3 too, Lamm M1.2ref and some others.
the Stradivari needs the best, and it needs a dominant amp.
with Lamm M1.2ref it was nice as for sound, but this did not bring out what a Strad is capable of.
the big Zanden mono's are superb match soundwise, but if you really want fireworks: TENOR hybrid or Accuphase.
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