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Tube amplifier suggestion for 101 dB speakers

Hello All,

I've been using the Tyler Acoustics PD30s with Classé Sigma solid state preamp and amp combination.
These speakers have two 15" woofers and a horn tweeter, 4 ohm, sensitivity 101 dB.
The above combination is not the best, especially for complex rock music, the highs start to distort, they are harsh, just bad. Never had tube gears, but after reading a bit, these speakers apparently scream for tubes. Actually somebody brought over a hobbyist-made tube amp and yes, the speakers were tamed.
I'm willing to switch to a tube amp but prefer to keep the ss preamp.
Can anybody recommend a few good tube amp matches here, for a max of 3K new or used. Room is just a good medium size. I want something that I can keep for many years if possible and being somehow flexible to tube rolling.

Thanks.
128x128piramis

Showing 2 responses by atmasphere

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
7,068 posts
 
Even if your speaker has a high efficiency, I do not recommend small power SET amplifier to drive two 15 inch drivers.
I can't imagine why.

My speakers are 98 dB with dual woofers. My preamp has a fair amount of output and in a pinch, I can use it to drive my speakers and it controls the 15" woofer just fine. An SET would do just as well; the big problem is 'will an SET have enough power?' and if a more powerful one that does more than 7 watts then the answer is 'most of the time'.

I prefer a bit more power; much depends on the distortion that the amp makes- if low in overall distortion (in particular the higher ordered harmonics) then it will be relaxed and you will very naturally use the extra power.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
7,068 posts
 
Yes I'd like to keep the Classé Sigma pre because it has all the features I need in a preamp. But presently having no experience with tubes, I do not know which mix [tube pre + ss amp] or [ss preamp + tube amp] has more effect on driving my speakers or generally.
If you get a tube amplifier and you find that what everyone has been saying about them (smoother, greater detail) is true, then you will want tubes in the preamp too. You get the same benefit.
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