Balanced Low Power Tube Monoblocks?

Understood. To make a final pitch for VAC's Renaissance amps, there is a monoblock version of the 30/30, called the "30/70", which is 65 watts per monoblock channel. They come up for sale on Audiogon from time to time, and the 30/30 can be rewired by VAC into 30/70 monoblocks for roughly $500 per amp. I find the cosmetics on the 30/30 || 30/70 to be a bit loud, but, like all of the Renaissance amps, they sound superb, being incredibly transparent, open and alive (assuming they're run with zero feedback).

Tvad anything interested you yet?

Rleff, there are several good ideas!

I have Quicksilver Triode (6C33C) Monoblocs and they are not balanced. They are terrific though.

Tvad,

Not sure I understand why it has to be monoblocks. Can't you just as easily place a stereo amp between the speakers with short speaker cables, and run the long interconnect around the room to your rack containing the pre and sources? Regardless, most monos are best way to go.

Why does it have to be balanced? I've run balanced preamps into single-ended amps and visa-versa. You can get long runs of Mogami custom-terminated with XLR on one end and RCA on the others. This avoids adaptor connection points.

If "you go 2 out of 3"(i.e. not balanced)then the VAC rens, the Quicksilver Triodes(badboss427 also can tell you alot about these in his rig), or the Dehavilland Aries 845G all make sense, as well as the Atma M60s that you suggested yourself.

The Aries 845G are class A, zero feedback, single-ended, and quite powerful for SET amps. They are designed to drive a wide variety of speakers unlike most SETs. They provide much of the magic that good OTLs possess, without the issue of impedance matching problems. The use the Electoprint trannies, which are supposed to be some of the best available(I'm no techie), perhaps someone else could comment on that. Kara Chafee at Dehavilland has been super in terms of making sure that I get the best performance out of my amps.

If you must stick w/balanced, I'd stay with Atma-Spheres, and make sure you match with speakers that don't dip much below 8ohms at any frequency. IMHO, autoformers degrade the sound too much. Ralph can point you towards many compatible speakers if you need ideas on that. Cheers,
Spencer