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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
lloydelee21 OP
1,202 posts
 
Hi Emre...great system!!! It would be fun to compare the sounds of our systems which share some components and 'themes' (Strads and Class A/very high quality SS) but have important differences as well (DCS/Valhalla vs Zanden/Transparent Ref). I noted your 'upgrade plan'...what are you thinking for speakers after Strad? I am contemplated (someday...) Alexandria 2, Rockport Arrakis/Hyperion. That said, there is something about the Strads at the moment where I am in no rush at all to upgrade. I was very impressed with YG but would be very careful to listen to system synergy for that one because it is so precise a speaker. Thanks for your thoughts!!!
polk432
1,142 posts
 
If you get Cary V12 mono's get the V12R. Be prepared for very hot running amps. They are very powerful! I just traded my V12R stereo amp in on a new Cary 120S and the sound is better than the V12R and a Mac275 I sold last year. Bias is easy to set on the 120S (just a screwdriver, the meters are on the front) and it can handle loads from 2-16 ohms. It also puts out only about 1/5th the heat. You owe it to yourself to listen to one. Good luck.
emre
8 posts
 
Well that's a tough call. I have listen to YG but didnot liked it, somehow it has not captured me in same comment is valid for Focal Gran Utopia Em. Rockport might be an option but I am more inclined towards Magico M5, MBL X-treme or the new Sonus Faber's flagship(hopefully they will announce for next CES).
lloydelee21 OP
1,202 posts
 
wow...there is a new SF flagship? now that IS interesting!!!

where do i learn more about it?
kops's avatar
kops
478 posts
 
@Lloydelee21 what is your preamp?
I use with my antileon Stealth Dream power cords, tried many , but Dreams are among the best, so far...

@Emre did you really liked the Magico M5 in Munich???

A more affordable amplifier is Spectron Musician IIImk2, which "killed" carry V12 in Sonus Amati Anniversario & Montana XPs

But I too think that Soulution, Gryphon Colosseum (and tube pre), Tenor, Accuphase monos, Krell evos, are among best SS amps for Strads.

Lamm, Cary, CJ, no!

IMHO
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