Balanced Low Power Tube Monoblocks?

Thanks Kurt_tank.

I had forgotten about the Lamms. They'd be stunning, and I'd love to own a
pair.

Frankly, they're considerably more than I want to spend. While I don't have a
firm price in mind, under $5k would be preferred, and less if possible. Price
will be a moving target.

I don't have a minimum power requirement, but not much is required. They'd
be used with 100+db speakers.

It's all "what if" list compiling at the moment. Nothing definite.

Well Tvad, I am trying to think which tube amp companies make low output monoblock tube amps, that are also very well thought of. (I know that you have tried many very good amps, and so I descarded many of the middle of the road brands.)

I first thought of VAC, but they don't make a low powered monoblock amp, but only make either high powered monoblocks, or low powered stereo amps.

My next thought was Air Tight (I am not sure if their equipment is run balanced though). The ATM-211 (22wpc SET) is one unit that might work (new they run about $10K, and so used they should be around $5K), another is the push pull ATM-3, which is 55 wpc if run in triode mode (110 normally). Used the ATM-3 is just a little above your budget though, and here is a link to one pair for sale here on Audiogon.

>Air Tight ATM-3's

Another company that I thought about was Jadis. Their JA-50 is set up for balanced operation. The JA-15 replaced the JA-50, (I think), so the JA-50 is now out of production. Here is a link the one pair for sale here on Audiogon, which are also slightly above your budget.

Jadis JA-50's

Well, that is all I can think of now.

Good Luck in your search!

Question: What speakers are you going to be using them with?

Question: What speakers are you going to be using them with?
Kurt_tank (Threads | Answers)

Since nothing is definite, I'm not going to get into specifics, but the idea is high sensitivity. There are a few manufacturers under consideration: Audiokinesis, Daedalus, Zu Audio, among others.

Again, it's a moving target.

I may end up staying with what I have.

TVAD -- I don't know much about them, but the Einstein MK60 and MK23 appear to fit your requirements, other than price. There is an MK60 listed here now for $13.5K (the listing shows msrp of $32K). I'd assume that the MK23 is considerably less expensive. Here is the sales brochure on them:

http://www.sensusaudio.com/images/einstein/Einstein_ProdK_engl.pdf

Best,
-- Al

Gee, looking further at the Einstein brochure, they claim damping factors for the two amplifiers of 90 and 45 relative to 8 and 4 ohms, respectively, even though they are OTL. Pretty remarkable, assuming it is true.

Best,
-- Al