The sensitivity of your speakers is 87.5db. Borderline tube friendly. Much depends on the impedance curve of the speakers - and the impedance matching of the preamp out to the amp input. 50 watts might play plenty loud - if the impedance matches up. The question is how good will it sound - especially in the upper bass region - above the 80hz of your subwoofer crossover. The thwack of a kickdrum lives around there. Will the impact be firm or soft? I’ve been down this road before. Highly recommend an in-home trial before committing those hard earned dollars. Many variables involved.
Looking for my first tube amplifier, help appreciated.
Greetings everybody, old school audio gear head here just deciding to begin the search for my first tube amplifier. I am running a Denon DN-A7100 preamp (xlr outputs), a Rotel RB981 on my Chane A3rx-c mains (8 ohm speakers crossed at 80hz), NAD 216 THX bridged on my JL Audio 13w3v3 8 ohm subwoofer in a sealed enclosure (also crossed at 80hz by the Denon).
I have over 300 gigs of wave file CD audio and enjoy everything from new rock to the Beatles.
I am looking to upgrade my system, of course one piece at a time, and really want to start with a tube amp. As a former guitarist I am a big fan of tube amplification so want to give it a whirl on my home stereo.
I was looking at the Audio Research VS60 but it doesn’t have XLR inputs. I enjoy high volumes so am trying to go with as much power as I can for my hard earned dollar. Yes, if money was no object I would drop 10k on a class A monster but that’s not gonna happen lol.
So I am hoping for some recommendations for a reliable and great sounding tube amplifier that has AT LEAST 50w per channel, has XLR inputs and is priced under $2000 on the used market. All recommendations are appreciated, thanks so much! Mike