[jrdcesq]

Hi:

I am buying a pair of 8R's. However, I am still trying to find an appropriate amplifer. I am currently considering the Almarro A318A (18 watts, 6c33c-b) and the antique sound labs AQ1005. (8 watts, 300b). I can't listen anywhere so I would like to hear people thoughts.

Thanks
John

[tvyankee]

you might want to check out the oprea audio m100 with the 6l6 tubes.this amp sounds great with these speakers.

also it looks like response audio has come out with a pair of mono blocks that you can use 6L6 tubes or el 34's. and these are under a grand.

thought this might help.

[JLM]

For tube amps consider the Cayin TA-30 (30 wpc push pull EL34, $900) or Decware Torii (12 wpc, SET sound, EL34, $1500).  Both are well built.  BTW the Torii was plenty loud enough for my speakers that use Fostex F200A drivers that are about 6 dB less efficient.

For solid state consider the Channel Island Audio chip amp monoblocks with passive pre-amp (40 wpc, $1250 plus interconnects) or a Scott Nixon chip amp integrated (40 wpc, cost should be around $700).  Both allow for two inputs, the CIA appears to be the best built and offers a trial period.  (Chip amps are said to work well with efficient single driver speakers.)

These speakers are efficient enough to allow use with SET amps as well (after all, that's what they were created to be used with).

[Louis O]

There is a lot of great choices out there. I like the 6L6s and the the small 205 Almarro sounded great with the 8s.

Talk to you soon,
Louis