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Tube amps you have heard with Quad 989

I listened to Quad 989s being driven by the new Plinius SA 102 amplifier, a 125 Watt high current SS design. The combination was pretty special, and belies much of what has been written about the Quads. These speakers were astonishingly good to my ears.

I would like to find a tube amplifier that works better than the Plinius, if there is one. The 989s can sound hard and unpleasant when paired with the wrong amplifier - innersound being a case in point.

Has anyone heard the 989s with tubes and liked them?
Are atma-sphere 60 watt monoblocks a possibility?
Has anyone heard them with the Wolcott Presence?

If you have any listening experience, you could save me some steps.

Thanks
judit
sbank's avatar
sbank
2,038 posts
 
I've heard a nice demo w/ CJ Premier 8s. Heard the Spectral dma-150 at the same store, but wasn't impressed with the match.
Eventually, I bought a Cary Rocket 88 to drive my ESL-63 USA Monitors, and are very happy with the combo in a moderate sized room. Good luck.
ivanj
640 posts
 
Judit, I used the 63s for years with the Pass Aleph series with great results. Other correspondents have commented on the similarity of sound of the Plinius with the Aleph, perhaps with better bass.
judit OP
217 posts
 
Sbank, Interesting comment. I heard the spectral amps driving Avalon Opus speakers and they were WAY too sterile and analytical. Sounds like this characterstic holds across other speakers as well.

Ivanj, interesting comment on the pass stuff. In researching these speakers, pass labs is the amplifier that comes up the most frequently as associated electronics. The comment on bass is pertinent too - the bass I heard come out of the 989s was REALLY powerful. It seemed like overkill to even consider a sub.
detlof
1,899 posts
 
Got unto this thread late...am running Quad 989 with Wolcotts. Perfect soundstage, beautiful open sound, nice highs and plenty of slamm in the bass. Highly recommended combination to my ears!
ivanj
640 posts
 
Detlof, I'm glad you confirmed what I surmised. What input and driver tubes are you using in the Wolcotts? It seems for electrostats the Pass and Plinius rule in SS and Wolcott and Atmasphere are the arbiters of the thermionic realm...Bless Peter Walker and Dr. West.
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