2. amps-preamps
  3. 184301-117859

Looking for high power warming sounding tube amps

Right now running bottlehead moreplay into pass x350.8. Speakers are ns5000. The sound is great but my buddy let me borrow cj lp140ms and the mid range magic these amps brought was amazing. The pass had better bass and maybe detail. 

I wanted to see if I could get tube amps that had pass bass with romance of cj. I tried prima luna evo 300 but it was a step down from cj in terms soundstage and tone. 

 

I'm guessing I need more power.. maybe at least 100 wpc. Any recommendations looking to spend less than $7k.

smodtactical
smodtactical OP
967 posts
 

I spoke to Mike at quicksilver and he told me his amps are tonally neutral and that if I wanted a warm sound I should look elsewhere. 

smodtactical OP
967 posts
 

I think i should be ok with at least 50 watts. I am trying the CJlp70S and R800i right now, both drive my speakers quite well. The CJ is warm and HUGE sounding. The r800i is smaller but more clear and resolving.

honeyooi
121 posts
 

@smodtactical consider Manley either snapper 100w or mahi 40w both use EL34 that easy to find and have smooth sound in the mid range .

 

smodtactical OP
967 posts
 

Thanks honeyooi

bluethinker66
42 posts
 

@smodtactical - I'm using a Qualiton (Audio Hungary) 100 watt tube power amp. It's being driven with an Linear Tube Audio microzotl preamp with QLN Prestige Three speakers. 

For what you are looking for - warmth, tube goodness, and 100 watts of power - the Audio Hungary p200 delivers. I've been super impressed with it and find myself listening to music for long periods of time just engrossed in the music. 

I am playing around with the idea of Pass Labs mono-blocks or a Coda class a biased amp, but I then ask myself "Why? You already love what you have!" 

I'm afraid I have the same bug that seems to infect many on this board. The pursuit and insatiable lust for that elusive sound we've somehow put together in our heads. 

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