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Tube Power Amp Suggestions

I have been looking for a tube power amp. Ideally I want to have about 40 to 70 watts output power, with sound qualities as close to a delicate SET amp as possible, with lots of details, fast, good tone (a tiny bit on the warm side) and imaging, yet with good bass and dynamic. Budget is about 10,000. Second-hand is fine. I know I am asking really too much and will probably get negative response because of this. I just want to get the best within my budget.    
      
My initial considerations are EAR 890 or EAR 861. What do you think?      
    
I heard people saying that push-pull amp can be better than SET if it is implemented well, but push-pull is more difficult to make than a SET amp.    
      
My speakers are measured 91db sensitivity, but it needs power to perform well. I have tried both a SET 300B XLS output at 13W and a push-pull EL34 at about 35W. My impression is as follow:            
      
- SET 300B XLS output at 13W: more delicate and smooth, better resolution and density, lack bass and dynamic       
- Push-pull EL34 at 35W: much more bass and dynamic, sounds a bit coarse, less 3-dimensional and delicate     
    
Thank you in advance for your input. 
   

bigdish

Showing 3 responses by mani-2

mani-2
42 posts
 
With that budget you have access to a huge variety of amps, especially if you’re prepared to consider pre-owned. How about a set of Lamms? It’s true, at 91 dB your speakers are on the edge for 300Bs, but if it’s the SET sound you’re after, 845s might do fine. These MasterSound monos are Parallel Single Ended, but the sound characteristics are very similar to SET, and certainly worth considering if that's the type of sound you're after: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tube-mastersound-845-monoblock-plus-see-photo-2016-11-30-amplifier...

It would probably help if you indicated the speakers you have; synergy being so important.
mani-2
42 posts
 
Due to both its stature and its sonic reputation, something like the Line Magnetic 219IA could easily be a long term solution. There's a guy in VA selling one: http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649312691-line-magnetic-219ia/

See the Dagogo review: http://www.dagogo.com/line-magnetic-219ia-integrated-amplifier-review
mani-2
42 posts
 
Yup, take your time. It is possible, by the way, to get better bass from tubes. 300B and EL34 amps are known for being a bit rounded off in the bottom end. Better bass can be had from other tubes. The KT-?? family of tubes will normally put out better bass than EL34s, and in the SET world, 845 amps will normally do better down there than 300Bs. Do you happen to know  of Richard Austen, a reviewer for Dagogo. He also lives in Hong Kong and perhaps he could give you some tips on where to get good service. He often posts on the Canuck Audio Mart forums (I think he's a Canadian), so perhaps you could get in touch with him through there. Just an idea.
http://www.dagogo.com/staff
Here's a thread he started on CAM:
http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=45014
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