alon model 5 mk 2

JM, I've heard Alon V MK 1 with VTL monos in triode mode with NOS tubes,and also at higher price point the Dehavilland GM 70 monos. Both amps sounded great with the Alons, both were using the Alon black orpheus speaker wire.

i do not have the black orpheus sp cable when i bought the
alon hence the custom made aq midnight 3
solid stste amps are my preference cause i dislike
tweaking
thanks norman

I'm driving a pair of Model V's with Antique Sound Lab AQ-1008. There's a warmth and spaciousness with this combo that I haven't heard with SS.

I heard a pair of Alon Circe's powered by a VAC PA100/100 not long ago. It was the most spectacular system I've heard to date. The sound stage was holographic and mesmerizing. The images were so solid you felt like you were in front of an orchestra.

But back to amps... Carl designs his speakers with tubes in mind. If you read any reviews where he set up the system, you'll see that he uses tubes. I've seen references to VTL, VAC, Conrad Johnson and Antique Sound Lab in his systems. There's no doubt that Alon's sound better with tubes. I've done it both ways. I drove a pair of Model I's with a pair of McCormack DNA-1's, but the magic wasn't there. It wasn't until I picked up a pair of Quicksilver Mid Monos (50 watts) that the midrange and vocals came alive. The Mid Mono's were wonderful at low listening levels, but ultimately didn't have enough power to reach the SPL I wanted. 100 watts is a good benchmark for 87 dB Alons.

If you won't consider tubes, check out this forum: SS Amp for natural vocals

My cable is pretty basic (Canare 4s11), but as far as I can tell, it hasn't hindered performance. Experimenting with other cable is on my list of things to do, but it isn't a high priority.

If you're bi- or tri-wiring, here's a quote from Carl in a 1993 Stereophile review:

I would like to point out the importance of tri-wiring the Alón IV for best performance. The Alón IV was developed as a triwired system and employs three separate crossover boards which provide magnetic, electric, and physical separation for the three sections of the loudspeaker. It is important to use identical lengths of identical cable for this purpose, so as to maintain the coherency built into the system. For instance, it may be "common practice" to use larger-gauge cables for the bass section, but this will invariably upset the tonal balance and coherency of the system.

CARL MARCHISOTTO