Small integrateds: red wine, bel canto or wyred?


Hi, I am trying to match my tekton lore s speakers (95 efficient) to a small integrated amp. I don't mind if it has a dac or not, I can add one later. For powering the lores in a large room, what would be best? I like warmth and strong bass. I cannot audition as I live abroad and will have to order them. I am looking at the red wine 15, red wine 30, the wyred mint and the bell canto 300i or 5c3i. I like the idea of the red wine but have concerns about bass, the battery and power. Budget is 1500 or so, used okay. Thank you for any ideas.
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Showing 1 response by onemug

Re the Red Wine Audio amps:

I have owned the 30.2 for 5 yrs. I use tubes and class A ss in my main systems and got the RWA for mostly summer use as heat is an issue where I live.

I think it sounds great and enjoy listening to it and my ears are tuned to Triodes and Nelson Pass designed ss amps. 30 watts is what it is and will be more than enough for some/not enough for others but I think they are quality watts if 30 will do it for you.

Battery issues: Just like car batteries, you should get 3-4 yrs on them. I got 4 on mine. It is very easy to replace them yourself. I did. It takes 2, ordered them @ $16 each, out with the old/in with the new in 5 minutes and I'm NOT that handy. If $32 and 5 minutes are too much trouble to do once every 3-4 yrs then the 30.2 is not for you. SLA's do not like to be deep discharged but with their "smart charger" you never have to worry, it's fit and forget.

I have no experience with the Sig 15, don't even know if it's Tripath based like the 30.2 (kinda think it isn't). Now that I'm using SET's, with only 1 output tube per channel, heat is not so much an issue anymore, in fact, I didn't even use the RWA this summer. I think about letting it go from time to time. The one thing it can still do is isolate me from the grid.

So, my 2 cents FWIW. With your 95 db speakers you should be okay unless you like to disturb your neighbors.