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Recommend a Tube Pre & SS Amp Combo

Hello,

Having been mulling and searching this over quite a bit and have come to the following conclusion:

My next upgrade will be a tube pre amp and a ss amplifier. I love the tube sound but also like lots of power as I find my current SLI 80 gets a bit compressed as the volume gets loud. I am also trying to make it work with a HT system, which is another reason for the ss amp piece of the puzzle.

Current speakers are Dali 400mkii.

Looking for recommendations on the combo with the following "needs":

Warmer sound than lean
Lots of power
HT bypass on the pre (req.)
Prefer to stay with a single brand for both, but am open to suggestions
Prefer made in north America
Improvement over the SLI 80, if you have experience here

Thanks in advance!
juggernaut850

Showing 3 responses by lloydelee21

lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
Hi Juggernaut,

I really like the latest CJ preamps a lot. i am biased having owned 3 diff CJ amps consecutively for over 12 years. But they do have theater loops, are made in North America and warmer sound than lean as you seek.

On the SS side, i would suggest for ultimate SS power made in America: Boulder is probably my favorite, but you [may]have to go class A to get a natural level of tonality that you seek, as i am told that the Pure class A boulders tend to have purer tonality (ie warm). Though warm is not a typicaly word used with Boulder, i have heard their Class A stuff and was surprised to find it neutral but so pure that i was quite happy to listen.

There is also Clayton Audio. Made in America, pure Class A all the way (no A/B)...very high powered and a lot less costly than Boulder, Krell, ML, etc.

good luck and hope that is helpful. pls keep us posted.
lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
Hi Juggernaut,

I am glad to be of some help. I have been fortunate to receive help from AGoners in the past and happy to share it.

Regarding your budget, that is a good one. I will say that Class A tends to be quite expensive. But (for me) i have had very good experience with nearly every SS Class A i have heard/owned/auditioned. This includes Forte 4, older Krell amps (which are within your budget for sure), Gryphon and Boulder (which cost much more). You could probably get an Antileon second-hand within your budget...and probably never look back.

OTOH, i believe that Clayton Audio could possibly be within your price new or demo. You'll see plenty of positive comments about them here.

I think Class A would be fine for home theater...plenty of power, headroom, etc....as these are typically SS beasts from the standpoint of having high current, generally very solid power specs.

Good luck and pls post with any questions or updates.
lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
Hi Soix,

Good comments and interesting to read. I also agree with your comments on CJ vs ARC and BAT. Gryphon does have switches for low bias on the Antileon and Colosseum...i think their other models are already A/AB? Specifically, the Antileon have 3 switches (lo, medium and hi/pure Class A all the way). The Claytons i believe have 2 switches (or certainly used to)...i am not as familiar with them.
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