What s the best Class A integrated tube amp over 80W

@bifwynne

good advice given to op

speaker maker will know best what works well with their product(s)

they may not have tried every amp out there but they have tried what they have tried and hopefully are willing to share (most are) info on what works synergistically

at a minimum they will tell you what attributes of high compatible amps are for their speakers...

I have talked to Soundlabs and they don't have any specific preference, except for a lot of power. Soundlabs often plays Atma-S tube amp on shows. For SS, they have used JC-1's and others.

@chungjh,

I am surprised by the anecdotal advice Sound Labs gave you.  The part about lots of power is ok, but the part about Atmasphere versus JC-1 amps is curious.

As I explained above, Atmasphere amps have "high-ish" output impedances.  See for example  Atma-Sphere M-60 (atma-sphere.com).  Per the Atmasphere website, the M-60 has an output impedance of 4.1 ohms.  By contrast, most SS amps have near ZERO output impedance.  

I surmise that of you drove your Sound Labs ESLs with the M-60, the amp would attenuate the high end of the ESLs.  By contrast, I would expect that the JC-1 would augment the high-end harshness. 

In the end, YOU have to be happy with the match.  In an optimal world, you should plus each amp into your rig, ... in your house,... and take a serious listen.  

Given the advice given by Sound Labs,  maybe you should have another chat with Ralph. He will steer you in the right direction.

Good luck.

Bruce   

Bruce

I agree with you. But, these speakers have an EQ dial for treble (as well as Mid and low) to adjust this attenuation/augmentation. There is no Sound Labs dealers near me, but I have been told that most use tube amps. There are no Atma-Sphere dealers around hear either, but one dealer has one on trade-in. I will try to see when it will be ready for demo.