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I am currently using a newer (1990s) 60W DIY tube amp, but it is on its last legs and not worth fixing any more. I do have a much newer (2011) 12-15W Class A PP-triode (KT88, 6550A, KT 66). But i am not sure it will do the job) and have no decent comparison amp to find out what the LSs are capable of with more power.
What did people in the UK use in the 70s that is still around today that isn't pricey these days (like the higher powered Leaks are)?
Or more modern ideas. There are a lot of older Linn SS amps for sale in the UK.
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If I liked what I had, in your case the 60w DIY, and knew I'd be happy with it put back into service after repairs....I'd stick with it.
That's just my useless 3 cents.
"I can't compete with the dead" (Buck W. 2010)
"It would take me forever. I don't think I have forever" (Byrd 2015)
Byrd, it's a long story. I got it second-hand from a sketchy guy. He made the PT, chokes and OPT. I had to personally fix the PS. I also had to replace the power tube sockets, 4 big sweep tubes and had a tech clean up the rats nest point-to-point wiring and replace some caps and resistors that were not the right values. It wasn't cheap. It has sounded good for about 10 years. But is slowly going down hill. I just don't want to throw more money at it, unless the used market for vintage gear is even more risky. I do have an SET and tube PP amp that I can continue to use.
So it goes i Denmark.
Wrll old 70s stuff likely needs a rework more than your 90s tube amp. Lots of people everywhere but yes more in the UK can speak to this question. My questions would be are you a loud listener as this speaks to power requirements and then the much more important whats your budget? I like EDs recs of course too.
ET
They play loud with a 300B SET. Loud is not an issue. Dynamics is the big question. I borrowed an Audio Note P2 PP, and it did a great job, but a new one is just too expensive. I guess my budget is less than about £750.
Loud was in regard to your personal habits. Do you listen loud medium or soft? In dB could you guess the level or measure it if you have an SPL meter? At that budget Id consider souping up the DIY even though you seem against it.Transformers dont wear out so tubes caps and other weak links could be shored up for that budget. Perhaps new jacks and speaker terminals and a good power cord if you dont have one. Good luck!
ET
I'll bet the Audio Note sounded good. I would also like to have one but the price is an insurmountable barrier to me also. I don't own LS3/5A's but I have heard them. I am quite fond of the JR variant. I do own Spendor BC-1's, which are different but come out of the same BBC research that the LS3/5A's come out of. For tube, I would think any good PP or PPP EL34 or KT88/6550 amp would be very enjoyable. If you are open to the idea of transistor amps, there are a few that I would recommend. My Threshold CAS-1 sounds fantastic on the BC-1's. I would expect that the Stasis amps would also work at least as well. Stasis amps would probably not have existed if Peter J. Walker had bothered to patent current-dumping in the United States, so I would also recommend the QUAD amplifiers. You should be able to find one at a good price in the UK.
Here in America, Yamaha does not get a lot of respect, so you can find them for very low prices. I have had very good results with a Yamaha M-4 and M-60. They are both excellent amps that will do justice to your LS3/5A's.
Dave
Good speakers deserve good amps. A H/K Cit. 2 or H/K Cit 5 on the 8 ohm taps should be fine. Obviously, McIntosh unity coupled amps would be good too.
I have reservations about Linn/Naim. In the 1980s, an acquaintance used a Bryston SS amp with LS3/5As and got nice results. An AVA amp with a "universal" power trafo would do nicely too. If the cost is not problematic, an AVA FET-Valve hybrid is almost certain to please. Of the current models, a 400R should be more than powerful enough. FWIW, I own an older AVA FET-Valve. It's very nice, with a voice not far removed from that of a "Deuce".
Eli D.
I've always been curious about AVA, but that much power?
Having reserves of power, so a SS amp "never" clips, is a very good thing. Protect your tweeters. Remember, many, many, more speakers have been damaged by hard clipping under powered amps than by too much power. Listening levels become intolerably loud, before a strong amp damages anything.
Eli D.
I second Eli's recommendation of an AVA fet valve. I have a 400R which I got to drive my first gen. AR9's. He's correct on the voicing as well. I got the 400R because the Citation II would get so hot running those speakers.
remember Frank cut his teeth modding Dyna gear. Still does it!
Edits: 06/17/16
Shipping a heavy amp to DK is not cheap and add > 25% for VAT and customs handling!
Bryston and Classe amps are quite competent. Can you get 1 of those?
While not in the class of the stuff we've been talking about, Rotel products are not junk. Look for a used Rotel.
Eli D.
Thanks. I wrote Frank. I see some Rotels in the UK every now and again.
do you mean 11 or 16 ohm? There were no 10 ohm versions as far as I know. Check out the ls35a.com website.
Most owners on the site are using tube equipment. Paul Whatton the moderator and son of one of the developers uses Quad IIs, which are likely similar to the KT66 amps you are using.
These speakers are not known for their dynamics. Max spl around 95db.
David
Im ready for a set of four DVA 850 monoblocks for my bi-amp setup....I do wish there was more info on their gear not that numbers tell the whole story. I like knowing input z and sensitivity and how the power changes as the impedance is halved among other stuff.
ET
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