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Tube Power Amp Suggestions

I have been looking for a tube power amp. Ideally I want to have about 40 to 70 watts output power, with sound qualities as close to a delicate SET amp as possible, with lots of details, fast, good tone (a tiny bit on the warm side) and imaging, yet with good bass and dynamic. Budget is about 10,000. Second-hand is fine. I know I am asking really too much and will probably get negative response because of this. I just want to get the best within my budget.    
      
My initial considerations are EAR 890 or EAR 861. What do you think?      
    
I heard people saying that push-pull amp can be better than SET if it is implemented well, but push-pull is more difficult to make than a SET amp.    
      
My speakers are measured 91db sensitivity, but it needs power to perform well. I have tried both a SET 300B XLS output at 13W and a push-pull EL34 at about 35W. My impression is as follow:            
      
- SET 300B XLS output at 13W: more delicate and smooth, better resolution and density, lack bass and dynamic       
- Push-pull EL34 at 35W: much more bass and dynamic, sounds a bit coarse, less 3-dimensional and delicate     
    
Thank you in advance for your input. 
   

bigdish

Showing 9 responses by charles1dad

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Big fish,
In your original post you seemed attracted to the tone, nuance and 3 dimensional qualities of the 300b. I’ve heard the Soulution amplifiers on several occasions and it quite a different sound from a good 300b amplifier. You may like the Soulution as much or even more than the 300b. Just know they’re different. I hope you’re able to audition the Soulution. As I had earlier posted,  a 211, 845 or 805 tubed SET or push pull amplifier would likely be a good compromise given the sonic character you seek.
Charles
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Hello Ralph, 
As always your comments are technically sound  and logical.  The problem is just as you acknowledged.  The old outdated technology  (tubes) just refuse to fade away.  For many listeners they just as you say sound more natural and thus more emotionally involving.  That's very difficult to ignore 😊.
Charles 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Soundsrealaudio, 
Those are 3 really good examples.  Many good choices are in existence. 
The sector of low to moderate power tube amplifiers flourishes  with quality. 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Octave is a very good sounding push pull tube amplifier as is the Zesto,I've heard both. Generally speaking PP and SET are two different pathways to excellent sound in your home.  I own both types of amplifiers.  A listener has to determine what it is they are trying to achieve.  For my taste the SET is my favorite amplifier yet for others a PP would be their preference. The key is,  know what you "really "want. 
Charles 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Bigdish,
The EAR amps you’re interested in are very well regarded. Of the 2 and given your stated preferences I believe the EAR 861 (EL 519 strapped in triode) are likely closer to SET in character. The VAC REN 70/70 mentioned earlier is an excellent example of push pull 300b topology. A very similar option is the Canary 339, 300b push pull 50 watts per channel.

A fine SET amplifier that meets your power requirements is the Line Magnetic 508ia which is 40 watts per channel via 805 tubes. I really suspect their 219ia SET 24 watts using 845 tubes would be an option as well. This is a massively built true dual mono amplifier that uses the 300b as the driver tube for the 845 output tube. Both these amps have earned terrific owners word of mouth.

It would be very helpful to know what speakers you have. All 91 db sensitivity speakers aren’t equal when it comes to ease of load characteristics (impedance).
Charles
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Inquiries regarding the  speakers have been made several times. This is obviously important when trying to successfully match with a power amplifier.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Big dish,
I bet yours is a very good sounding speaker (Feastrex driver!) and if it’s truly a flat 6 ohm load that shouldn’t be a difficult load to drive. 50 watts is the recommended maximum amplifier power. It seems to me that a good quality 845 (or an 805) would be an excellent choice if you want to go SET. For your budget (new/used) you have ample options.
Charles
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Big dish,
The Zero transformer will allow your 13 watt SET amplifier to drive a higher impedance thus an easier load for it to drive. I use an 8 watt SET amplifier driving 14 ohm load speakers and it’s an ideal match.

I believe that in your case a 845 SET with a very good power supply and quality output transformer with 4 ohms speaker taps would be sucessful for your desire to have excellent SET performance.
Charles
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Bill (Grannyring),
I mentioned the Zero transformers based on their "theoretical " potential benefit. I’ve read comments from other users who had the same experience as you regarding the Zeroes. They did adversely affect the sound quality. I’m confident that a well built and implemented amplifier using 845, 805, 211 or the Russian 6c33c used as SET or PSET with 4 ohms taps will pair well with these speakers. The essential key is high quality power supply and output transformer as previously discussed . A few examples are  the Line Magnetic 219ia, 508ia or the Coincident turbo 845, also a used Viva Solista 845 SET. All of these are well within the stated price range.

Of course there are very viable options for push pull amplifiers, it really depends on the type of sound character Bigdish is seeking. He has a variety of good pathways to pursue.
Charles
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