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Digital integrated alternatives to SET tube system

Hello,

Recently I have been contemplating moving over to an all in one digital set up for my front end such as the Lyngdorf 2170 or Devialet 200 etc.  I have read the entire 2170 thread.

I currently run a tube pre to a Line Magnetic 508 (upgraded tubes on both) to Audionote AN-E Lx/He speakers (ANK kit 003). My source is mainly digital consisting of an Aries Mini running USB to my DAC. All interconnects are solid core silver.

I absolutely love the sound of my current set up but I don’t have any local dealer support or anywhere to test tubes etc. Any time I hear something "off" in my system, I’m reminded of this fact. Also the convenience factor of an all in one would be great and I’m sure my wife would agree!

I’m really looking for something that will sound amazing with my Audionotes. Most reviews I’ve found on these types of amps don’t really speak much on using them with high sensitivity speakers which makes sense in most cases. I do of course realize I will be giving up certain SET/tube characteristics.

I really like the Room Correction feature on the Lyndorf as well as having a few different EQ settings to play with, although they are "pre set".


Caveats:

1) Price $4600 US or $6000 Can used.

2) Must play nice with high sensitivity speakers and maintain dynamics/soundstage at lower volumes.

2) USB input would be a plus.

3) May or may not have an internal DAC.

4) I don’t like a lean/thin sound or truncated highs.


Please give me your recommendations and thoughts. Thanks.


128x128hfaddict
firstnot's avatar
firstnot
115 posts
 
I think you will need to pack those Audionote AN-E Lx/He speakers
into your back seat and dolly them into a few dealers for a few proper test runs. Sound like fun? No? Well the alternative will be less so I think
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
1,457 posts
 

Recently, I was very impressed by an audition of some bog standard AN-E's.  Delightful.

But you're really limiting yourself if you want to go solid state AND digital.

There are plenty of low-powered, pure Class A transistor amps out there.

Starting with these, which would fit the bill very nicely.

http://www.firstwatt.com/

lak's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
lak
3,516 posts
 
@grannyring could address this question.
larryi
1,972 posts
 
I am a big fan of low-powered tube gear.  While I wouldn't say that the First Watt amps sound like low-powered tube gear, I like their sound more than any other solid state amps I've heard.  I don't think they sell any integrated amps, so you would have to find a linestage or go without one.  First watt makes linestages, but, I have not heard any of these.

Another brand of solid state that I would guess (I haven't heard the combination) would be nice to try is Ayre.

Although Audio Note sells their speakers mostly to people who are fans of tube gear, their speakers will work perfectly well with any kind of amplification.  If anything, the warmer, more harmonically saturated sound of their speakers should compensate a bit for the sins of thinner sounding solid state.
hfaddict's avatar
hfaddict OP
96 posts
 

Hi guys, sorry for the tardiness! I will just address these responses as a whole as responding to each one is quite time consuming. But I very much appreciate all the feedback.

So as of lately, I’m hooked on the Devialets. I have a friend whom I greatly respect his audio opinions who has run one on his AN-E’s in the past. He also came from SET amplification. He’s since moved onto entirely new set ups since but his input on this combo is promising. They are also drop dead sexy, easy to use and cleans up a lot of extra equipment. I also really appreciate the multitude of adjustability with these units (Speaker Active Matching, tone/balance controls, different firmware updates that can change the power levels/sonic characteristics etc) 

A little bit of background on my current system and why I think this combo may in fact work for me. It took me a lot of time, equipment and money to end up with the Audionotes. (I’ve had Spatial M3 TS, Tekton DI’s etc) But now that I’ve found the AN sound, I’m staying put.

@larryi You hit the nail on the head here. I’m thinking the synergy of a SS amplifier may work quite nicely with my speakers. The journey with the AN speakers has been an almost backwards approach to my previous experience. It seems most people are looking to tame down or remove any glare/gloss/edge/bite from their treble response and match up their components/cables accordingly to achieve this.

I have liked what the AN’s have done from day one but have been slowly trying to add back some bite/edge to the treble response. These speakers are highly detailed but a touch smooth on the top end for my liking (My speakers have the silver VC’s and copper wiring)

I have swapped over my interconnects to silver solid core with excellent results. I could still rewire my speakers with silver internally or go with silver speaker wires vs my copper ones. But I’m thinking a SS amp may provide me with the top end I desire. May be a great synergy here.

There are going to be very obvious trade offs and a completely different sonic character. But that’s half the fun. I do also have a JL E110 sub that could come out to play if I feel my bass response is too controlled/thin vs my tubes. The mid range magic will be the biggest adjustment for me I’m sure.

But it will also be a relief to just set it and forget it and stop trying to over analyze and troubleshoot every little sound change with my tubes.

Sorry for rambling!

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