2. amps-preamps
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power amp or integrated?--tube of course

I am looking to upgrade to a full tube system, currently have AR LS7 Pre Amp, EAR Phono stage, SOTA Saphire TT/MC Gold, Rotel 100 WPC Amp. I am considering VAC and BAT, Looking used--either the Avatar by VAC or one of their Power amps that have a suggested MSRP of about 4,000.00
Would also consider power amps from BAT, don't know if they make an integrated amp.
The appeal of one less componet makes sense, but I don't want to short change myself.
Would I be better off getting rid of the LS-7/EAR in favor of an integrated amp, or should I keep them and just get rid of the solid state amp?
I have a pr of Audio Physic Tempos.
Thx for your help
jim
jim_gerace
cornfedboy
1,645 posts
 
jim: your audio physic speakers are quite efficient (90 db). they should, thus, be easily driven by a pathos twin tower integrated (35 w, class a, into 8 ohms). the pathos is a great sounding and looking component. i highly recommend it. -kelly
gregm
3,021 posts
 
Jim: before reading Kelly's post my mind went to the Twin Towers! I have listened to the Tempo/Pathos combo & was favourably impressed. The amp sounded well in control, the timbres were good and the sound beautifully fluid.

The NuVista mentioned above had a drier sound -- but the particular piece I listened to had problems... so, the sound is not necessarily indicative of the model's performance.

Good luck!
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
I think your weak link in that set up is the amp. The preamp and phono preamp are good. I had a pair of Audio Physic Virgo's driven by a BAT VK-60 tube amp. Awesome setup. The LS7 and Bat amp are both balanced so that should help some. IMO the other posts are great choices, but your preamp isn't the weak point...

A Audio Reseach amp is a good match as well. VT100 or 50...BAT has a little different (and to me) better sound.
kirk930's avatar
kirk930
283 posts
 
the bat amp is a good choice. if you want intregated, cj and vtl build nice ones. i would rather have seperates. good luck.
joeldoss
94 posts
 
Jim, sorry to confuse the issue with one more consideration. Even though it's retail price is above your stated amount, Mark Levinson's Red Rose group has a new tube integrated that I hear is spectacular. I'm a solid state guy (Plinius 8150), but when the time comes to upgrade my int. amp, I know where I'm headed - tubes!

Happy listening.
Joel
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