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Seeking advice on tube amps

So, I have decided that I would like to step on over to tube amps. So far I have 2 different amps in mind

1. Genesis m60 monoblocks
I have heard great things about these amps from personal friends, to a great review in 6moons, although I have not heard them in my system.

2. McIntosh MC275 v4 or v5
I have heard this amp at a mc dealer but not in my own system.

My speakers are currently paradigm studio 60 v3 91db 8ohm.
They are the next thing to be upgraded after the amps.

So of those 2 choices, does anyone have any input of the 2?, or more amps to add to the list the fall into the same price point / performance level?

I have also entertained the idea of looking into SET amps with high efficiency speakers, but I don't want horns or some really funky looking speaker. I know some exist out there, I have just been finding it hard to find the information on it.
tmesselt

Showing 4 responses by jmcgrogan2

jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
It appears that both your current speakers and most of your future choices would call for a push-pull tube amp. No SET or even 300B tube amp would probably drive these speakers in a moderately to large room.

That being said, of your two choices, I would choose the McIntosh MC275 amp. Any future reco's would depend on your speaker choice. Of you speaker choices, I cannot claim to have heard them all, but I was very impressed with a pair of Dynaudio S3.4's that a friend of mine owns. As always, YMMV.

Cheers,
John
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I don't know that I necessarily buy all of this 'you must pick the speaker first' talk. I know many who choose the speaker around the amplifier....SET fans for instance. They choose to enjoy the SET sound, then go out and find speakers that cater to the flea-powered amps.

In a system, one does rely upon the other, amp and speakers, however, which one is the priority is up to the system coordinator.

Cheers,
John
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Grant,

For the most part I agree with you. I'm just playing devil's advocate here, as I do know folks who have fell in love with the sound of a specific amplifier, and proceed to find speakers that best suit the amp. Granted, most do it the other way around, but as in all things audio, there are always exceptions to every rule......no?

Cheers,
John
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Grant (Tvad), you still may be scaring the OP from tubes (and we all know tubes rule).

From what he currently owns, and all that is on his list, he sounds like he is in the push-pull tube land. There really are very few speakers that some tube amp cannot drive.

For example, my speakers are rated at 89 db sensitivity, with a nominal load of 8 ohms, minimal load of 4 ohms. My room is 25X 15X 9. I find that a 80 wpc tube amp has PLENTY of power to drive these speakers in my room.

60-75 wpc should be plenty of power to drive his current speakers, and probably all of the speakers on his list, IMHO.

Cheers,
John
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