Tube amp suggestions for Divine Acoustic speakers


Hello all. I’m in the market for a tube amplifier that will be powering Divine Acoustics Proxima 3 speakers. Here are the specs:

  • Impedance: 8Ω
  • Efficiency: 89dB
  • Frequency response: 45Hz-22kHz (-3dB)
  • Recommended amplifier power: 2-90W
  • Recommended listening room size: 12-30m2

The preamp being used is an Aric Audio Unlimited all tube preamp. I’m definitely considering Aric’s amplifiers but I’m also exploring other options as well. Specifically 300B tube amps.

Do you think a 300B tube amp would drive them sufficiently? What other tube amps would be a good match in your opinion? Budget wise I’m around $4K new or used. I'm also curious if tube rectification on a power amplifier is important or not to sound quality. Thanks for any suggestions.

128x128ten_ton_bass

Dont.

I have no idea how they say a 2 wpc amp will drive 89dB speakers. I’m using 2wpc on my 96dB speakers.

I generally don’t recommend tube amps for insensitive speakers. Many do it but I don’t think they get the advantages of a tube amp like they would with a sensitive speaker and end up with a compromise.

I’d go with a 25 wpc class A solid state amp.

Jerry

@ten_ton_bass I just wanted to provide my experience here and say that a 300B SET amplifier will not be able to drive your speakers very loudly, so if you're listening at 70-75db levels, it might work. Otherwise I really like push-pull amplifiers for speakers that are in the 89 db range, and in fact I've had clients successfully drive Magneplanar 4 ohm speakers using my Transcend Push Pull, even with only 35 watts per channel and EL34s. So you could definitely use that to drive your Divine speakers to healthy, and even loud levels. In fact, a push pull tube amplifier is pretty much perfect for these speakers and SET starts to really shine when using speakers at 93 db and above. There will be opinions all over the map here I'm sure, but I have had more than a few customers express they're very happy with such a pairing.  All the best, Aric

triode/ultralinear gives you optional power ratings; and mono capability gives you the opportunity to double up in the future. You might limit your search to amps with those features.

I agree, I would want 35 wpc or more for instantaneous peaks.

 

 

I really would not want to try driving 89db speakers with just 2 watt as others have echoed. 

A used AirTight ATM-1 or Leben CS660p would be good match. Brand new I would get a Lab12 Suono or Suara.