Tube Amp for Devore O/96

@flipturn

I have taken into consideration what you said you are sonically looking for and the size/volume of your listening space. As noted previously, you’ve received some really commendable recommendations. I admittedly lean toward DHT-SET options.

However given your stated budget and various factors discussed in this thread I believe that the Jadis DA 50S is a very compelling amplifier for your room and Orangutan-96 speakers.

Ample power in class A.

Push-pull topology with the KT 120.

Highly respected brand that’s very solidly established.

Their components just seem to consistently produce beautifully engaging sound quality.
I don’t believe that you could go wrong with them. Again, I really like the New Audio Frontier DHT push-pull amplifiers but these are quite outside of the stated budget range.

The Conrad Johnson amplifiers are an excellent alternative. Just my opinion but I think the Jadis class A amplifier will yield more of that elusive sonic/musical “magic” (Totally a gut feeling). And, they are so aesthetically elegant.😊

if your listening space weren’t so open and large, I’d push more aggressively toward SET such as what @davehg has.

Charles

I forgot to add that my listening room is a very large open space,; with high ceilings and no walls, so I will need a decent bit of power. With that in mind, would the Jadis still be more amp than I need for my efficient speakers?

@flipturn 

I have been thinking more about your description from an earlier post. You have a lot of cubic space in your listening environment and as a result power capability requires consideration (Even with the efficient O-96).  Certainly the safer more predictable choice is a push-pull amplifier.

I don’t know if you have a budget ceiling or not. The NAF amplifiers with DHT tubes running class A push-pull have been mentioned several times for good reason, but they are pricey. The Jadis DA 50S you originally inquired about are less expensive, yet still a highly regarded amplifier from a very established manufacturer.

You will get 30 watts of pure class A power from the KT  120 pentode tubes. Also very stout and good quality output transformers and probably a “bit” of NFB in the circuit (I could be wrong about the addition of NFB). As had been said previously, you have many really good options to contemplate over.

Charles

@davehg 

I think the transformers made a big difference for the bass but initially the bass felt like it was soft. We swapped in larger Mundorf caps and wham! It was like adding half an octave of bass, and brought the performance within spitting distance of the EL34 amp. The caps added $600 to the build, but well worth it. Total cost was about $4k including the Gold Lion tubes.

I'm 100% in agreement concerning the vital importance of output transformer quality and better quality capacitors. I'm surprised that a SET of your amplifier's build was only 4K, seems quite the bargain from what I see. This is an amplifier that you'll have and enjoy for years I bet.

I've owned my 300b SET mono blocks for more than13 years and quite frankly my appreciation and admiration of them continues to grow.

Charles

@fsonicsmith

 I tried my O/93's with a very good SET no feedback amp, an Ampsandsound Nautilus with 8 watts and the sound is sweet but the firmness of the low end and the extension of the treble disappeared.

I can understand that outcome depending on the particular SET amplifier. Looking at Dave's pictures it's clear that his amplifier has very robust power supply and he mentioned custom quality output transformers. So for him, no problems controlling the bass .

Charles

@davehg 

That's a serious looking300b SET amplifier. Thanks for the pictures.

Charles

@davehg 

You've had first hands experience with quite a number of good amplifiers driving the Orangutan 96 speakers. I lean more toward SET amplifiers generally if applicable by circumstances. In this scenario given the OP's large and open listening space I can appreciate the recommendation for a push -pull amplifier with typically additional power.​​​​

In addition with push- pull  you will usually have a lower output impedance and increased damping factor. Depending on the speaker's bass characteristics this may/may not be desirable.

Charles

@flipturn

You are welcome. Don’t worry, as you continue to read and explore your knowledge base will steadily expand and deepen. Curiosity and motivation will take you far. Vacuum tubes are actually pretty basic devices but there are so many variations and applications with regard to function and utilization.

They have stood the test of time for very good reasons. When used properly in audio components they’re capable of exquisite and authentic music reproduction.

I am not an electrical engineer and @atmasphere (Ralph) can provide a much better explanation. Essentially linearity refers to the degree of disruption/deviation/distortion of an applied audio or electrical signal. The closer the output signal resembles the input signal (Less deviation) the more linear or pure a device is said to be.

This in part explains why DHT type tubes can be used without the need for applied negative feedback (NFB) compared to indirectly heated tetrode/pentodes generally speaking. No doubt other factors are in play.
 

You will often see DHT SET amplifiers with zero NFB. There are pros and cons to everything. It all depends on what is sonically being sought.

Charles

@fsonicsmith

I do believe that DHT (Directly heated triode) is technically speaking a more “linear” tube than the pentode tube. However I do agree that the Orangutan-96 can sound fantastic with a good pentode tube amplifier. Thus my strong endorsement of the Jadis KT 120 integrated amplifier as an alternative to the NAF DHT models.

No question in my mind that the CJ,VTL or ARC etc pentode amplifiers are terrific options as well. Obviously I believe that we all appreciate it hinges on the implementation.
 

Beyond that, it depends on what one is seeking sonically. I have an attraction to good DHT amplifiers. However, no doubt much musical success is obtainable with indirectly heated pentode/tetrodes tubes driving the Devore O-96. As I said earlier, the OP has numerous really good choices available.

Charles

@flipturn

You have some very compelling choices and have received some strong suggestions. There is no dog in this group of amplifiers. The Conrad Johnson is an example of the traditional/popular class AB ultra linear push pull circuit using indirectly Pentode output tube with solid state rectification.

The Jadis is pure class A push pull using pentode tubes . Jadis has a reputation for utilizing exceptional quality output transformers. I think the 30 watt power rating is conservative given two KT 120 per channel. Jadis has the knack for consistently beautiful music reproduction.

New Audio Frontiers (NAF) is a very well regarded Italian audio manufacturer. They have a reputation for very high quality transformers wound in house. Given your large listening room they offer two potential pathways with them. 211 or 845 SET (DHT) and they are tube rectified. Or as mentioned previously the 2A3 or 300b (DHT push pull ). I do not doubt @bonzo75 reported listening impressions.

No doubt that there are other very viable amplifier options with the Devore Orangutan 96. I just happen to believe that Jadis or certainty the NAF amplifiers would sound particularly special paired with the O 96 speakers.

Charles