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On the hunt for a tube amplifier and would like to elicit some opinions from the asylum....I found a CJ MV55 for $1100...I've heard this amp before, and I liked it a lot. Before I go ahead and make the purchase, can anyone tell me their opinions of this amp, or make suggestions for others to audition in the 1-1.3K price range? I'd really like to try out some SETs, but they seem a bit out of my $ range, and I'm not sure they'd be able to drive my speakers. The amp will drive a pair of Mordaunt-Short MS30i classics(~90db). The source will be a VPI 19jr., OC9 cartridge, and from time to time a Rotel CDP. Pre is a CJ PV10A. Additionally, if I do decide to go with the MV55, should I get it wired in triode mode? This will essentially cut the wattage in half...will my speakers be able to perform as well? Thanks very much!
-Paul
IMO, the MV-55 is already a classic. It does so many things right, striking such a nice balance between often-conflicting goals to portray tone, rhythm, harmonics, speed, etc. What emerges is music -- no other way to describe it. It is much more neutral than the PV-10a, although definately not clinical. Yes, it does have tubes that need to be replaced. Well worth it, to my ears. Regarding the triode vs. pentode question, I'd bet your system could handle the lower output of triode, so you might try it. My concern with this is that some folks say rhythmic drive is sacrified for even greater harmonic richness, so for the time being I've stayed with pentode. Good luck!
Don't know what the impedance curve of your Mordaunt-Short MS30i classic speakers is but the sensitivity would allow you to use either the Audion Sterling single-ended amp ($1195 US) which is rated at 12-watts/channel or the Audio Electronic Supply SE-811 mono-block amps ($1195 US kit/$1495 US factory assembled) which is also rated at 12-watts/channel. If the impedance curve of your speakers is fairly flat then single-ended (including SET amps) could work for you. Of course, the size of room and the SPL that you like to listen will also affect how many watts will effectively work for you. With my Joseph Audio RM50si speakers (which are rated at 88 dB, 8 ohms nom, 7 ohms min), I have been able to use either of the fore mentioned amps in my 14'x15'x8' room and get well over 90 dB listening levels without any strain or compression. I generally like to listen at between 85-90 dB SPL.
I own an MV50. Bought mine for $700. Lush midrange, surprisingly strong with bass/bottom end. It's the best piece in my system. Several other inmates have the MV50 or MV55. Try searching the archives, and you will find more detailed opinions.Vac
I think the MV55 is one good amp, and it will become a classic.
So is the CAV 50. I would take it.
I was once in your shoes, sort of. I have B&W M803sII (90db IIRC) and was looking for a tube amp new or used in the $1K-$1.3K range. To make a long story short, I owned a used MV-55, Cary SLA-30b sig and brought home an SE-40SE and a used Pass Aleph 3. Sold the MV-55 and Cary, returned the SE-40 and kept the Pass. Have had the Pass for over a year now with no desire to change it. (although the AES AE-25 super amp is entriguing) Hope this helps.
Check out the Golden Tube SE-40 Special Edition. The standard SE-40 is $1100, the Special Edition (better transformers) is $1400 list. I had the standard as a loaner for a couple of months and just got the special in a couple of days ago. They're 40W/channel, single-ended. They both sound great with my Emotive Audio Erato preamp and Magnepan 1.6 speakers (83 dB/1 watt). The special sounds snappier with better dynamics. My test for dynamics is Beethoven symphonies and the special edition comes through with flying colors. At the other extreme, Holly Cole's Temptations puts forth low level detail and timbral subtlety that is stunning.
I've just boxed up my SE40 S.E. and am taking it to UPS w/i the hour.
I had it running a pair Dynaudio Contour 3.0s since September and for
a little 30wpc amp (in reality) it did a nice job w/my power hungry
speakers. Not supper defined in the lower octaves, but nice w/my
Reggae and Electronic music. I've decided to move up and give the
speakers some power that they deserve, as the GT was a mismatch from
the start.I let mine go for $735 shipped, which is what I paid for it a year
ago, for references. With 90db speakers, the amp can breathe a bit
more.Chris
Actually they(SE 40) work just fine with 85dB speaks too. For the good ol
50Hz BIG BAD BASS, MON that your music requires, I see many clubs using JBL horns and JBL subs. That oughta make your neighbors in Canada weep when you turn up the mutha ;)May the PP Cary be everything the SE40 was not for you, anyway, right?
I liked it a lot and both my GT S.E. pieces were bulletproof and in
mint shape. I had almost a full year with each and both were my first
foray into tubes. Elegant looking, pretty good sounding, and a great
value, expecially bought used and in mint shape.I'll not say a bad word against GT gear, at least not against their
'entry' level pieces.Chris
Hi there,> I'd really like to try out some SETs, but they seem a bit out
> of my $ range, and I'm not sure they'd be able to drive my speakers.
> The amp will drive a pair of Mordaunt-Short MS30i classics(~90db).The MS-20/25 and 30 are what I call "Borderline" 300B compatible. Their very simple Crossover, easy and relatively high impedance and usefully high sensitivity does allow them to be used reasonably successfully with such Amplifiers.
So if you find a 300B Amp in your pricerange, do consider it. Unfortunatly the lower powered Triodes (2A3 and co) are OUT.
> Additionally, if I do decide to go with the MV55, should I get
> it wired in triode mode?I PERSONALLY would say Yes. But I know soem will disagree.
Later T
There's an interesting thread on the SET group on the virtues of smaller triode amps, the benefit being better sound from the tubes proposed (45, then going up 2a3, 300b but arguably the 845 is going too far in the power direction). This is a simplistic way of putting it, but bigger amps can mean more tubes, larger power supplies and transformers etc etc. If there is truth in the argument that small is beautiful, then the goal should be 'just big enough'. I was astonished when I had both a CJ Prem 4 (100w) and a Leak Stereo 20 (12w) that I started to prefer the sound of the Leak into Maggies, yet. Not even 90db there! More immediate sound, more detail, nicer tone. Less control, of course, but what the hell. So I'm with Thorsten - first see how many watts you really need, not how much others tell you. Then look at the best sound for that watts.
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