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Tube Amp for Avalon Ascendants

I have a pair of Sonic Frontier Power 3's that I've had (and loved) for at least 10 years (bought them used through Audiogon so not sure exactly how old they are). They both need work now and so trying to decide whether it makes sense to put the money into repairing them or replace them since i've also recently changed speakers (originally got the Sonic Frontiers when i had Thiel 6's) and now have the Avalon Ascendants. Also recently upgraded the rest of my system to:

Conrad Johnson CT-5 pre-amp
EAR Acute 3 CD Player (replaced the tubes with Siemens 1963 E88CC)
AudioQuest Volcano speaker cables and Sky Reference interconnedt

Looking for advise and comments as to whether people think its worth putting the money into the Sonic Frontiers (not sure what the problem is yet so don't know exactly what it will cost to have them repaired -- on one i keep blowing the fuses and on the other getting an audible hum coming from the amp) there is a better tube amp for my Avalons?

Always gotten wonderful advise from this board over the last decade or more so thought i'd check in again.

Thanks in advance for all comments.
dkonstruction

Showing 2 responses by czarivey

czarivey
5,946 posts
 

On Sonic Frontiers many would recommend sending it all the way to Canada to Chris(partsconnexion) as he was the owner of Sonic Frontiers. The shipping itself of 2 units to begin with. The total repair-shipping toll may run upto $1500

1. Check if your tubes are still good
2. Check bias voltage
3. Research if you can find local tech to restore your amp. It's not complicated and if you spot someone on Craigslist selling restored vintage tube amps, one might be able to try to fix it.
4. I repair vintage solid state and tube amps, turntables, RR and tape decks in Raleigh NC.

You should try at least for the time being using solid state to drive Avalons having following facts:
1. you've got tube sources and preamp
2. Avalons benefit more from solid states than tube amps.

Other than that I believe AudioResearch models may be a better match vs. SF power3.
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
I know audio nut who was using BAT VK75 monos and than switched to Jeff Rowland monos and never went back.
Avalons don't benefit from tube amps. Tube preamp with solid state amp is best 'menu' for'em.
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