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Switching from solid state to tubes

Hello all, 

I am looking for advice regarding the purchase of a new (to me, not brand new) amplifier. I currently run a 5.1 home theater system with Sonus Faber Olympica IIs as my mains, Olympica Is as my surround, and an Emotiva center channel and SW. They are now being fed by an Emotiva XPA 5 that receives its signal from an Anthem AVM60 processor. I currently use the system 75% of the time for stereo music and the rest for 5.1 movies. And when it comes to music I do 50/50 records and streaming. 

I recently put together a Bottlehead amp and am really loving the tube sound and would look to bring that into my main system. But here are my questions going forward:
1) Would it be silly to bring in a tube amp to drive the mains and keep the rest of the system through the Emotiva SS?
2) If not, what power output should I be seeking for the stereo amp? (The Emotiva is currently rated @200 watts (8ohm)) 
3) Will the Anthem processor be able to properly match the output of the different amplifiers so the volume is nice and even across all channels? 
4) Do you have any suggestion for an entry level tube amp that matches the Olympicas well? 

Thanks!

-Al 

allforwill

Showing 1 response by elevick

elevick
2,638 posts
 
Theater definitely seems like the afterthought here.  To have really good sounding theater you need the LCR all the same speakers and same amps.  You could go with a smaller Sonus center that is voiced the same. 
But, your post here is for tube amps.  If you go with a 2 channel tube amp, you will further hurt the theater sound.  As long as you are aware of this shortcoming.
My solution should be cheaper than the rest:  Use your Bottlehead as strictly 2 channel with the Sonus Fabers since you love the sound.  Buy 2 more Emotivas for your right and left for theater.  The Anthem is a beautiful piece and can easily run 2 systems for you in varying ways.  (just make sure it can pass the analogue signal to zone 2).
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