Tube amps & warm speakers?


Hello again folks,

In my quest to try and get into audio again I had another post regarding good 2 channel pre's or integrated's. Upon browsing this forum and looking at all the beautiful used gear around I now find myself a little interested in maybe a tube integrated amp now. Seems like all the serious audio enthusiasts enjoy tubes more than SS. I really want to be blown away sonically when I choose to listen to my system. And...they're oh so sexy. :)

My question is this....I've heard before that tubes and warm speakers can almost be too much of a good thing. I realize listening is subjective but just trying to learn and save myself unproductive searching if I'm only going to be disappointed.

My speakers are Dynaudio Audience 50. I know, I know.... bottom of the barrel for Dyn's but still sound pretty good to me for the money.

Thanks for any insight.

AW
awilliams

Showing 1 response by mcpody

You may be able to drive the Dynaudios with a small integrated tube amp, but the 4ohm speakers are going to sound much better with a 75 watt solid state amp. I had a pair of Dynaudio Contour 1.8s and they were unbelievably musical driven by my Threshold T-200 amplifier. If I were you, I would pick up a Forte 4, Class A solid state amp. This amp has a really smooth sound, great dynamics, slam and timbral accuracy. It has none of the glare of transistors. Then, purchase a tube preamp to give you the bloom and soundstage...a Audible Illusions Modulus 3 will do just fine...you can land both for about $1,250, and they will blow away any tube integrated you can buy at the same price.