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Raven Audio Nighthawk MK3

Well, I finally did it. After about two years and looking at Vincent, Primaluna, Leben, Rogue, I decided to buy the Raven Audio Nighthawk. I've had it for about a week. Running NOS RCA Clear top tubes in preamp front besides the rest stock. My speakers are Klipsch Lascala II, Yamaha CD player S2100, Uturn Orbit turntable with Ortofon Blue, Cambridge Audio phono preamp, Tellurium Q cables/interconnects. Interested? Having already played several of my favorite Cd's and LP's I have been amazed, shocked, stunned, mesmerized, I'm running out of words. Probably a tad less expensive than I was planning to spend. My wife had tears of rapture as she heard her favorite Pink Martini CD. She asked, "How can it be this much better?" It is completely blowing me away. Power? Seems to have more than my previous 175 RMS at a mere 20 watts! Bass is so right before I added the Sunfire sub (HRS10) I've decided to leave it out. I really believed LaScalas couldn't do real bass. Wrong, Curious to hear more? 
allears4u

Showing 2 responses by charles1dad

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
@stonecutter54,
I don’t know the extent of your tube amplifier experience but I feel you’ll be pleasantly surprised. I own two tube amplifiers that are the common/popular circuit choice for tubes. Class AB, push pull using the typical group of power tubes (el34, KT88,6550 etc.). Raven fits this topology category.

A 3rd amplifier is 300b SET (thus class A by default). All 3 amplifiers sound terrific and authentic reproducing electronic instruments in general and most certainly electric blues and rock guitar. The key factor for you is to have a well suited speaker to pair with a good tube amplifier. You’ll be just fine. Tubes are superb with acoustic instruments but you are not limited to them.
Charles
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

allears4u.

Congratulations!  Your obviously successful pairing  of the Raven and Klipsch is an example of quality versus quantity  which is a frequent topic in High End audio. Your speakers are high sensitivity and have an easy impedance load so they aren't difficult to drive.

The Raven amplifier is 1/9 the power of your previous amplifier yet sounds much better to you and your wife. I'd have to assume this is the result high quality output transformers/parts/wire and a very stout power supply. 20 watts but very high quality watts for certain.


Many people familiar with Klipsch believe they sound their best when driven by a good tube amplifier. Your comments seem to support this perception.  I'm glad you took the chance and gave tube amplifiers a try in your home  audio system. Tubes are capable of presenting  a heighten  sense/feel of naturalness or as you put it, realism. I hope you enjoy your Raven for many years.

Charles

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