Dennis Had Inspire amps and preamps.


Recently acquired a lightly used LP27a and a SEP Firebottle HO amp after a recent dip into SET/SEP-dom.  I liked them enough to order a new LP3a preamp from the "auction site."  Hand-made in USA by an arguable hifi "legend" at, imo, comparably reasonable prices.

These pop up from time to time in various A-gon discussions.  I know there is an unwieldy and lengthy discussion on another site, but thought would try to open up a fresh one, here.

Curious about (good or bad) experiences, listening impressions, tube-rolling, mods/upgrades, speaker/gear pairings/synergies, etc.

Right now, I have the Firebottle with Omega 3 HOs, and am enjoying the result.  One immediate question would be what tubes can be used in the Firebottle and in the output tube in the LP27a.  I bought them used.  I have an inquiry to Mr. Had on that, but maybe others have first hand experience on what works well?  For example, the LP27a came with a 6sn7, but I've read that others have been able to use 6sl7 and even 6bx7 in that spot.

Thank you.

stfoth
Certainly synergy is the key with all this stuff, and having owned the Preludes for years used with SS and tube power amps it seemed they had become sort of boring (you know how that goes), but the Had amp really woke 'em up.
Thought I'd chime in here.

The Omega Super Alnico HO Monitors that I have sound incredible matched with my Dennis Had Inspire Fire Bottle PSE amplifier. I'm currently running KT66's (4) along with a 5R4 rectifier and a great sounding Sylvania 6SL7 input tube. I had Dennis put a Blue Alps volume pot on my amp as I prefer a direct signal from my vinyl rig.

The Tonian Classic 12.1 S with Phy full range drivers and Tonian modified super tweeters sound amazing to me with my Dennis Had Inspire amp.  I have a variety of tube options but one I like a lot is Pope 6V6GTs and Psvane CV-181 TII with a NOS RCA 5U4-G rectifier.
Jeff--Never heard the Tonians.  Look great.

Received the LP3a, yesterday, and am running it in, today.  Came with JJ 6sn7 inputs, a Sophia 6sn7 output, and a KenRad 80 rectifier.  Supposed to be able to take 6sl7s on the inputs, too.  Sounds much different from the LP27a, but I suspect that has mostly to do with the fresh new production 6sn7s over soggy, but lovely, 80-ish year old mesh plate globe 27s.

For anyone that bought new, did you find significant change with burn it (of the unit, rather than the tubes, assuming an early roll)?

By all accounts the Tonian Labs Classic 12.1 is a superb sounding  speaker that utilized the famed Phy 12" driver. It is said to produce fantastic tone and timbre, very natural sound quality. This a 97 db sensitive 16 ohm load impedance speaker. The French builder of the Phy drivers died a few years ago but I believe the driver is still currently in production.

Charles