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Best Tube Amp/Preamp combination with Quad 2805s

Recently upgraded my Thiel 1.6 paired with Krell KAV-400xi integrated amp for a pair of Quad 2805s. Told that the Krell pairing probably won't bring out the best in the Quads. Looking at PrimaLuna Dialogue 3 preamp and Dialogue 7 mono amps. Also advised to look at an Audio Research combination of pre-owned LS17 preamp with pre-owned VS115 amp.
The price combination for the PrimaLuna and pre-owned Audio Research actually comes out pretty comparable. I love jazz, jazz vocals, and classical music. I really want to find a combination in the $6k-$10k range that gives me the closest approach to that "live" performance. I love a big, natural soundstage, front to back and side to side. I just don't want something too analytical with the Quads that becomes fatiguing to listen to.
Any thoughts out there between the PrimaLuna versus Audio Research sound? Any other classic pairings to look at for my price range?
vitman2020
acbc
38 posts
 
Think about an EL-34 based amp. I'm using a Luxman with a set of 989 and it's quite good. I've read that the CS 300(xs) is also very good with quads. I believe that amp uses 7981 or EL-84 tubes. Lower cost systems are certainly available from many companies like Dared, Jodila, Rogue, etc.... The thing about the Quads is they really don't require a lot of power. So you'll be good with 15- 30 watts. Based on the type of music you're focusing on you might want to start here.

Best of luck-enjoy!
tasfan1's avatar
tasfan1
2 posts
 
Depending on your budget, I have used the following tube amps with great success with my Quads:
1. Atma-sphere M60 & S30 OTL amps. There
are a lot of Quad owners who swear by
OTL power amps
2. I also have used Audio Research amps with
current 2805's and ESL 63's. There is a
great synergy with AR and Quads. The Quad
rebuilder in Kansas City uses an all AR
system with all his Quads
3. My brother also has a set of Quads and
uses Lamm amps but they are way out of my
price range
digepix's avatar
digepix
99 posts
 
Music Reference RM-10 with a Quicksilver or Conrad Johnson tube pre. It's a beautiful sounding 35 watt el-84 amp, the best I've heard so I bought one. I listen to the same type of music and I was using YBA solid state and wanted to try tubes. I use Vandersteens but I'm sure it would sound great with the Quads and you would have plenty left over in your budget.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
7,068 posts
 
Between the Primaluna and ARC I would take the Primaluna even though I am not a fan a Chinese tube amps.

The RM-100 is a better suggestion.

Also, since the 1950s, ESLs and OTLs have been the 'match made in heaven'. This is because ESLs are a Power Paradigm device, see:

http://www.atma-sphere.com/Resources/Paradigms_in_Amplifier_Design.php

Now if you read the article you now know that if you mix the two technologies, Voltage vs Power, you get a tonal aberration. The ARC is more Voltage than Power (uses a lot of feedback); you will find it does not play bass on the Quads very well.
vitman2020 OP
2 posts
 
Really interesting. Thanks for the reference. Also given advice to look at ModWright KWA-100SE/LS-100 combination, as well as VAC Integrated Sigma 160. Do these go along with the Power paradigm concept?
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