Tube amps for Eggleston Andra II

I am happily running my Andra IIs with 120wpc Dodd monoblock tube amps (EL34 based). They control the Andras just fine (in fact better than most SS amps I owned, and it was a bunch of them), and I get the superb midrange and blooming soundstage that only tubes will give you. No looking back for me, my amp search has come to an end!

The Andra 2's speakers are amazing, I just recently replaced my Wilson W/P 7's which I owned for two years with these and prior to that I had for 4 years Revel Salons.

This is a second system for me, not my main.

Tube amps, what I have found in the past in my systems is that no tube amp has done what a good solid state can in specific areas and the same goes with tube sound in other specific areas.

I seem to have more luck using good solid state amps with a tube pre.

I have only had the Andra's for two months now so I have not done allot of changes because I want to get use to their over all sound and presence.

Equipment that I do have is the McIntosh 501 mono blocks, Audio Research Ref300 mono blocks, Audio Research Ref3 pre, Audio Research Ref2 MK 2 pre. and VTL 7.5 pre.

Sources; Audio Research Ref CD7, ARC CD3 MK2 player, McIntosh 300 Music Server

I still don't really beleive what I currently have hooked up in my system right now. I have a Bel Canto Dac3 along with their Ref1000 mono blocks, no extra pre. I am using the Dac3's digital pre., my ARC cd player and Mac server hooked up via Stealth Sextet, AES digital cable for the ARC player and RCA digital for Mac. Server and the sound is shocking, solid state and tube sound.

I was exspecting the Bel product to be a joke and take it right back out immediately but so far this has not happened. The Bel set-up has about 50 hours on it and really impressing me wow! totally shocked.

I still have along ways to go though before prior to commenting and giving my opinion on the differences once I put other gear in and out. I will say this, if you know me personally and have heard my system set ups something has to be going on for me to say that I am impressed.

I really have to say the Andra's are amazing speakers, for my main system I sold the speakers and looking at replacing them.

I have in mind the Savoy's, MAXX 2'S, VON Schweikert but this is a tough call mainly because of the size of the speakers. If in the end you don't like them it's alot harder to sell plus the investment made is higher. I presently want to really get use to the sound of the Andra's with different gear and then I will go to the next step for the other speakers.

1markr, have you tried other tube amps before settling on the Dodds? Other than a few remarks on here, I have never heard of them.
Dev, thanks for your in depth thread, I too am astounded by the Andras. A friend of mine - another audiophool, has remarked that he's never heard a better system than this one with the 23.5 in. I bought the Andras a month ago from another a'goner & they've been a revelation. But it's missing that liquidity & presence that tube amps provide.

1markr:
Thinking of getting the same pre/power Dodds as well...

What tubes are you using all the way round?

Tried rolling tubes?

How is the treble, bass and tonality with your existing setup?

Omegaman, I have used other tube amps in the past, e.g. ASL Hurricanes, Joule VZN-100, Berning ZH-270, and a Canary, but when I got the Andras, I was trying to mate them with the "right" solid state amp. Nothing pleased (a BAT VK-500 came close though) but then I borrowed a friend's Dodd's, and I ended up buying a new pair, they were so good. I've listened to other's Andras being run by Viva and Art Audio low powered amps (25 wpc), and they sound extremely good, but not enough power for me and my bigger room. BTW, There's much more on Audio Circle re: Dodds than here.

F1a, yes I love to tube roll, at least until that "magic" combination is found. In the Dodd amps, I love the inexpensive SED "Winged C" EL34 power tubes, GE 7044 driver tubes, and Amperex 7119 input tubes. In the Dodd preamp, I have found favor in Amperex Bugle Boy 6DJ8s or white label US made PQ 6922. I have a few more to try, but haven't been in a hurry since this combination is highly musical and enjoyable!