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Recommendation for higher power tube amp

AudiogoNers - I am interested in trying more tube power with my Thiel CS2.3s, which are hard to drive (~3 ohm load over 100Hz), budget is ~$3000-3500, used is fine as long as reliability is not a big risk, what would you recommend?

Currently running a BAT VK-55 and love the sound of tubes with these speakers, first thought was to get a second VK-55 and run them in mono, but realizing there are several other potential contenders in this price range, including Sonic Frontiers Power 2, Music Reference RM-200, a few VTL models, Antique Sound Labs Hurricane, Jolida Fusion, Manley Snappers, and more ARCs then you can shake a stick at, I thought I'd post the question.

thosb

Showing 2 responses by ieales

ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
+1 on VTA M-125.

I've owned several KT-88 amps since Citation II way back. These are gorgeous sounding. Drive 4Ω Spica TC-50 with ease.

If you are at all handy, buy the kit and assemble yourself. I'm an engineer, could have easily done, but couldn't be bothered. Now, I wish I had. The build was not equal to the images and cost 3x what it should.

PM for details
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
Update on VTA M-125s

As built by VTA, the M-125's were very noisy, but can be quietened quite a bit. In my case, almost 40db.

Complete instructions:
http://ielogical.com/Audio/VTA_M-125.php
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