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Friends,
I have been using my Tannoy Turnberry with a nice Naim Nait 5i amplifier all these days. It does the job and always presents music first. However I know there is lot more to get out of my Turnberry. My audio buddies suggested to try tubes. After listening to quite a few tube amps in the showrooms, it was the Audio Note showroom that presented me with a sound that totally bowled me over. I heard an OTO SE Signature there. However the OTO with only about 10 watts is a border line case for me. I had to look for something more powerful. The OTO push-pull is somehow not so popular and whoever I spoke to, discouraged me against it. The bigger AN amps are out of my budget. I finally managed to buy an used M6 preamp for a price that I could just about afford and now looking for an amp to match it. The Audio Note Kit amps seems to have a very good reputation. I dont know how close exactly it gets to the Audio Note UK products but I am willing to try the kit nevertheless.
Now the question, there are so many options listed at the AN Kit website. I have kind shortlisted these:
1. 300B Legend Monoblock in parallel Single ended mode
2. L4 EL34 C-core push-pull
3. L3 EL84 triple c-core push pull
4. AN UK P1SE Signature
I prefer an uncoloured, fast and clean sound with realistic dynamics. I am not really looking for a thick, syrupy or larger than life sound. The Tannoys are 93 db sensitive and 8 ohms nominal impedance. They are a relatively easy load but they like to be driven, with power and control. I loved the EL84 based OTO so I have listed it here. I loved the SET presentation so I have added the 300B to my shortlist. However on couple of occasions that I tried 8 watts 300B SETs with my speaker, the presentation lacked ease and clean macro dynamics even at lower volumes, so I guess typical 8 watts will not be a good idea. These amps do not have reviews that I could read and decide so I am at the mercy of the users and experts in this forum. Please suggest generously.
By the way, I have never used a soldering iron so I have to get this done by someone. Who can I contact for such a job ?
Follow Ups:
I used to have Tannoy Stirling TW's in the mid to late 90's, which I drove with a variety of tube amps including SE 300b's. They are great speakers, of similar sensitivity to the Turnberry's, and can get loud with low power. Sometimes with low power they sound very nice on simple music, but they definitely need more power for a cleaner sound with most programs. For me, low power became quite frustrating. (I went through the same thing with my 97db Phy-HP KM30 SAG's.) I would go for ANK's higher power PSE and push-pull options.
David
The legend monoblocks driving a pair of Proac Response K6 was a very exciting experience. For the first time I heard a 300B SET that sounded effortless on multidriver 4 ohm speakers and it could do that at very loud volume levels. In the past whenever I heard a 300B SET driving a conventional speaker, it always gave a sense of strain and compression. There is something thats done right with these AN Legend monos. To be frank I would be happy to take it home. However, I would like to know how does the legend compare with the interstage version. Is it a matter of preference or does the interstage establish a clear superiority over the Legends ?
The Legend amplifier would be considered a single tube driver with the 6SH7 in pentode mode while the Interstage is Transformer coupled driver stage - there are subtle differences between the sound of the two- both are wonderful - its like the difference between two bottles of red wine from different regions of Spain - Also there are lots of upgrades down both avenues- c core transformers , tubes , capacitors(Legends) etc... I would say go for the Legend as you have heard the sound and you like it - There are plenty of further tweaks that you can bring in over time with the Legends also and if you ever decide to go to interstages you can convert the Legends over since you already have many parts!
Brian, pardon my ignorance. Are these amps 2 stage designs or 3 stage ?
Edits: 06/11/13
"Koa" posted on 5/17 about his use of the ANK Interstage PSE with Tannoy Canterbury SE speakers. You might find it helpful to contact him for comments on the matchup with his Tannoys.
I don't have experience with the amps you have listed, but if you do decide to go with an AN kit amp and need one built an experienced builder is important. Check out Digital Pete at the link below. I don't know him or his work personally, but from photos I've seen of his AN kit builds it appears he does a very neat and professional looking job. A builder with a good amount of experience with these kits and the ability to properly test them would be essential to me if I was deciding on having someone build a kit.
Hope it is not too expensive to hire them.
Hope it is not too expensive to hire them.
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