Tube Amp for GR Research LS-6


So, I am looking to sell my current SS amplifiers, and move onto to something tube perhaps...

I feel like I am overly sensitive to SS sound; even the slightest bit of glare or edginess drives me crazy.

I am confused about tube amplifiers, and how they relate to performance goals...

I like to listen to music pretty loud; 90-95 DB average with peaks in the 105-110 area...

My speakers are 90DB/1 W/M.

I am assuming that I need something in the 200 watt area to achieve this goal via the math on paper correct?

So, that limits my choices based on budget correct? Looking to spend around 4K.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
kingdeezie
Kingdeezie,

I am sorry I did not read the title to your post.

The reason I mention specs is that when I owned Reynaud Trente speakers I was able to drive them with 18 wpc easily to loud levels, they were easy to drive despite an average rating.

good luck with your search.
Liquidity can be found in the MFA products. The M-200 monoblocks should do very well. They also are easy maintenance in case of an output tube failure as they just blow an easy to change plate fuse. The AR VT-200 could do well, but with Audio Research a tube failure can require resistor replacement or even trace repair on the boards. The Rogue Zeus may be a best bet in the $4k budget too. With any tube amp, trying some NOS tubes in the front end can pay big benefits in dialing in just what you are seeking. I recently tried that on my AR VTM-200's and was amazed. If, low maintenance is a top priority, by all means try some lush tube preamps first (MFA Luminesence, Thor, Tube Research. AR Reference 2) and see if all the blame is really your SS amps. Even your cabling can play a role, so if you just need a slight change, that may do enough if you like the basic characteristics of your current set-up. JAY
Hi There, I ran across your old thread here on Audiogon and I just finished an LS-6 kit last week and want a new amp. Did you find a nice amp pairing? I am looking at a Digital Amplifier Company Cherry amp which is considered to be a highly regarded tube sounding Class D amp, a Butler Audio Tube/SS hybrid, and Emotiva XP-2 or Monoblocks. Would be interested to hear what you ended up with.

Todd
wonder if you can help.Live in phila,would love to hear the GR line array speakers