Twl pretty much covered it...from my experience, I purchased a pair of 2A3 monoblocks from Wright-Sound last year for use with my DIY speaker project. I hooked these guys up to my Thiel 3.6 speakers (86 db effieciency) expecting to hear...well I didn't know. These guys simply shoved aside the Thiels' efficency and filled the 13x18 room with more than enough volume for small scale classical instrumental and jazz. As a frame of reference: with my ML 20.6 monos and the volume knob on the preamp at 10 o'clock, the 2A3's put out the same SPL at 1 o'clock on the volume knob. I have no doubt when my single driver Lowther is ready the walls will simply shake. The website for George Wright's stuff is www.wright-sound.com\ He has a new 45 based SET that looks interesting.
What would a 2a3 based amp. bring to the table?
Mispelling will follow, so please forgive my french. My newly acquired Virtuoso by Reference 3a, seems to be as sensitive as they claim,(92db). That fact combine with the proximity to witch I sit,(7feet) seems to point out that they would be 2a3 compatible as long as I listen without a desire for the music to go loud. I have had experiences with 300b based amps( Cary,Wavelenth), altought in a less favorable speaker situation. Before leaving beind the fairly safe territory of the 300b based amps, with its additionnal power over the 2a3, I need the imputs of peoples that have "been there,done that". What is there to gain? Is there a parametre of excellence that witch can only be attain with the 2a3? Witch one is it? Will there be compromises? Do you have an amp to recommende that stand out? I use analog and cd as sources and listen mainly to operas and the classics. Merci.