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Tube amps you have heard with Quad 989

I listened to Quad 989s being driven by the new Plinius SA 102 amplifier, a 125 Watt high current SS design. The combination was pretty special, and belies much of what has been written about the Quads. These speakers were astonishingly good to my ears.

I would like to find a tube amplifier that works better than the Plinius, if there is one. The 989s can sound hard and unpleasant when paired with the wrong amplifier - innersound being a case in point.

Has anyone heard the 989s with tubes and liked them?
Are atma-sphere 60 watt monoblocks a possibility?
Has anyone heard them with the Wolcott Presence?

If you have any listening experience, you could save me some steps.

Thanks
judit

Showing 3 responses by ivanj

ivanj
35 posts
 
Judit, I used the 63s for years with the Pass Aleph series with great results. Other correspondents have commented on the similarity of sound of the Plinius with the Aleph, perhaps with better bass.
ivanj
35 posts
 
As a longtime QUAD owner I am glad they are back on a good path with their new production. Just goes to show the necessity of system matching and experience with real music. Judit, do they do that funky thing in the midrange with pianos that you posted previously? Guess not, you like them.
ivanj
35 posts
 
Detlof, I'm glad you confirmed what I surmised. What input and driver tubes are you using in the Wolcotts? It seems for electrostats the Pass and Plinius rule in SS and Wolcott and Atmasphere are the arbiters of the thermionic realm...Bless Peter Walker and Dr. West.
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