Advice or Experience with Tube Amps: 485's or KT170's?
I am looking at purchasing a new tube amp to match a set of speakers with 95db efficiency. In this particular setup, I don't think 300b's will give the needed power across the spectrum. This has led to looking at 845 and KT170 tube amps. Both seem to be answers to retaining some of the positive sonic characteristics of the 300b but with the advantage of gaining higher wattage power. I don't know the strengths or weaknesses of each of these, when comparing sonic attributes. Can anyone offer advice on this? Here are some models I have found in searching online:
Mastersound Compact 845 Integrated
Audion Black Shadow 2 Mono Blocks 845
Viva Solistino 845 Integrated
Allnic T-2000 KT170 Integrated
Ayon Triton EVO KT170 Integrated
Thanks in advance for any advice or experience with any of these or with the two tubes in question.
Greg
As @carlsbad2 mentioned @aricaudio I’ll mention that I own his Super 300B amp. It’s not exactly the data point you are looking for because my speakers are a lot more efficient than yours. I urge you to go to Aric’s website and look at his products. Hand built and point to point wired amplifiers and preamplifiers that are incredible. Depending on the size of your room and how loud you listen, 8 watts might be all you need. If so, I’d advise to go with an SET of some flavor over push-pull. |
@gregjacob - I’ll mention this only in the event that you are not aware of this regarding the Mastersound 845 "Tube bias is factory-set and mustn’t be altered, Ferro stressed, except when changing tubes. "Biasing ... is usually unnecessary for the 845 because these tubes usually work for a very long time. We have our own design of auto-bias circuit that maintains the tubes’ value constant during [their] life. Our triode amps are set at the factory and only need be set again when the power tubes [are] changed." Tubes should, consequently, only be changed by a qualified technician. ". I don’t know if not being able to set bias yourself is an issue for you. Also, the amp comes with the baseline Psvane HIFI series 845 which is a decent 845 , my Line Magnetic 518IA integrated (precursor to the 845IA mentioned above) came with it but their are better 845 tubes. Also, just simply for context I have Deadalus ArgosV2s which are 97DB vs the 95 DB of the Muse, and the 22wpc of either the LM518IA ( 845set) or 22wpc of my Finale Audio 7189MK2 7189A/EL84M (pp) integrated drive the Argos effortlessly so you shouldn’t have any worries with the Muse. Also, I believe that the Wolf’s have been driven at shows with New Audio Frontiers set integrated amps by Colin King of Gestalt Audio in Nashville. the NAF integrated amps are very well built and nice sounding. One last thing, Trafomatic's Rhapsody integrated amp is 20wpc 300B. I haven't heard it but below is a link to a bit of information on it from Atlelier 13's website should you be interested in taking a look https://www.atelier13-usa.com/trafomatic-tube-amplifiers Best of luck with whichever integrated or separates you choose. |
ozzy62 Thanks for that. I have been checking out Aric Audio and the Super 211 SET. It looks very good with the build I've been looking for. The review on 6Moons was thorough and inspiring. I have not wanted to have to buy a preamp, but the Aric Super 6SN7 Linestage looks like a nice fit as well. I'm adding this combination to my shortlist. Would not have found this without you and Carlsbad2. Thanks. This is what makes this forum so rewarding. Appreciate you guys. |
