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Best Tube Amp For Sonus Faber? Or Pass XA-100.5? $6-7,500 Budget, Purchasing Used.

As the title says, I have a pair of Sonus Faber Olympica III's that I am more than pleased with, for which I am trying to determine the best available amplifier, preferably tube. Of course, there are always budget limitations and my budget for this amp would be $6-7,500, and I would be buying used to maximize purchasing power.

Based on a lot of research, and quite a few auditions at brick and mortar stores, various home systems, Axpona, etc. I'm honestly not sure if there are any truly exceptional tube amplifiers available within that budget that meet my needs. These speakers need 100wpc tubed, or 200 wpc solid state, into 4 ohms to really open up and perform. 

If, in the end, there are no really great tubed options, I've always heard that the Pass Labs XA-100.5's were probably the optimal choice in solid state for former tube lovers. I would also appreciate any thoughts on that option from owners. 
nightfall
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
There is a VAC Phi 300.1 for sale on Audiogon right now for $8,150. You could probably get him down to $7,500 or better. 
That's 150 wpc of tube bliss.

I have to admit though, as someone who has moved on from a 85 wpc tube amp to a pair of Pass Labs XA-100.5 mono-blocks, I am quit happy with the change,
nightfall OP
133 posts
 
I was hoping I might hear from you, as you and I have shared some attachments to amplifiers, going way back to the Jeff Rowland Model 6's. You've also had quite a few other very good amplifiers, as I recall. 

Your comments on the 100.5's carry a lot of weight, for that reason. It sounds as though you are truly satisfied with them, the midrange, the treble, etc. vs your old tube amps?

I also need to avoid any fully balanced power amplifiers, as my system is single ended.

JC

nightfall OP
133 posts
 
Also, how much heat do the 100.5's generate? I listened to some larger Pass mono's recently, and they turned a huge listening room into a sauna within an hour!
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