I've been happily driving my HT-2 TL's with my longtime Pass Aleph 5. This solid-state amp runs Class A Single-Ended and is rated at 60 watts into 8 ohms and 90 watts into 4 ohms.
At low to moderately high levels, this combo plays loud with deep, tight bass, and very dynamic mids and highs. This is mostly with music that I actually listen to: classical chamber music, rock/pop, folk, indie.
I've never owned a tube amplifier or spent any considerable time listening to one, and lately I've been very curious to do so. I've always known about Quicksilver Audio from various forums and word of mouth, and after picking up the latest copy of Stereophile I noticed that one of their newest amplifies, the Silver 88 Mono, released last year, has garnered a Class A rating.
Here's the link:
http://www.quicksilveraudio.com/products/Silver%2088.htmlAnd some info from that link:
The new Silver 88 brings the finesse and transparency of low powered tube amplifers into the realm of less efficient speakers. Employing only two output tubes, this circuit provides 80 watts without stressing or pushing these tubes to their limit, and with the lowest output impedance and distortion of all the Quicksilver amplifiers, the Silver 88 brings a new level of performance to this power range.
An on-board bias meter allows individual adjustment of each output tube and, with low-noise power supplies and circuitry, the Silver 88 can still be used on very efficient speakers. Two power transformers and 180 Joules of energy storage provide effortless dynamic response, transmitting the full musical impact of sudden shifts from soft to loud. A modification of the sleek look of the V4, the Silver 88 has a chrome-plated chassis and carbide black transformer cover. From what I understand, Quicksilver is very conservative with their power ratings. Would this be enough juice for driving a 4 ohm HT2-TLs? I remember that Jim had power ratings for tube watts and solid state watts, but upon recently visiting the Salk Sound website to refresh my memory, it's now listed only as
"Recommended Amplification
100-250" Can a HT2-TL 2 way speaker really benefit from 250 watts of amplifier power with the aforementioned music?
I have an opportunity to home audition these amps for 30 days risk free. Also, I tend to keep components for a long (I purchased my Aleph 5 in 1999), so I'm looking for advice and/or hints on what deficiencies to listen for. Any other happy Salk/Quicksilver audiophiles out there?
Edited for spelling: 30 days, not 3 days.