2. amps-preamps
  3. 1354921853

Tube Monoblocks in the 5-7K Range

Looking at purchasing a new pair of tube monoblocks to drive a pair of 90 db hybrid electrostatics that I'm now purchasing and would love some recommendations. I've got my eyes on either the Carver Cherry 180's or the Primaluna DiaLogue Sevens, so if anyone has compared these two it would be appreciated, and I am open to other suggestions.

I listen to a variety of music, tending towards a lot of classical string music(20th Century British) and modern electro-acoustic stuff on my digital front end, but tend towards singer/songwriter, female jazz vocals and classic 70's rock on my TT. I am basically a midrange person, but am attracted to the PrimaLuna because of the ability to switch from triode to ultralinear on the fly.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts
scotlynn
tonyjack
83 posts
 
The Quicksilver V4's are flexible in tube choices to tailor the sound. Hand made in the U.S.A and built to last. I would not describe them as overly warm, but if you want a creamy mid range you could go in that direction with a tube that has that characteristic. They can also use the KT 120 which is supposedly very nice in those amps. I use the JJ KT88's and find them to be very nice. Mike Sanders uses them as his premium tubes in those amps.
All of the amps mentioned by other posters would be worth auditioning. It's all a matter of system matching and taste. Good hunting.
zaphodbeeblebrox
78 posts
 
if you dont mid used

Jadis makes wonderful amps.

maybe a little over you listed price range but not always.

i don't think my Carvers sound like SS but then the SS that i have had before like the McIntosh 2105 and Jeff Rowland Model 3 Monos are tube like sounding SS, so if you look at it that way then yes my Carvers sound SS.
metman
214 posts
 
Do yourself a favor and reach out to Jim Nichols from JWN amps and have a custom pair of monoblocks built. I doubt you'll regret it
reynolds853
367 posts
 
The Rogue M180s are excellent amps and worthy of audition. Degree of warmth of course can be tuned by changing tubes.

Another amp in your price range are the Jolida Fusion. I haven't heard them but would be curious. However, while Jolida is good value, Rogue is faster and more holographic in my experience. But how the Fusion compares I have no idea since it is a departure from what I would call the Jolida norm.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Scot lynn,
You`ve gotten some good suggestings.
Keep in mind these points, with most tube power amplifiers there`s much room to manipulate the sound you want. Choice of the output tube,EL 34,6550,KT-120,KT 88 etc.
Second, various brands do sound different.
Third, rolling the input and driver tubes add further variety of sound.
You will have a fair amount of control of the final sound.

When ever someone compares bass performance of a tube vs SS amp, you need to consider what speaker was used.
Some will sound better with tubes and other speakers are meant to be driven by SS amps.
Good Luck,
More to discover