[def_O]

Which offers the best sound as the se8 and ata2b workd  out the same purchase wise as the se18 by itself.  Nice forum btw, I've just joined. I'm knocked out by all the Nohr gear; it looks phenomenal

[myoung]

OK, first thing, I have an SE-9, but haven't heard it in combination with the ACA 2B and I haven't heard the SE-18, so take this for what it's worth -- maybe not a lot.

With a bit of tube rolling, the SE-9 sounds terrific. But it puts out just 8-9 wpc, so room size and speaker choice are crucial. I'm using a pair of Omega Super 3s, with a single Fostex driver in each cabinet. For the past week or so, I've been using mine with an Eastern Electric MiniMax preamp, a beautiful little tube design that provides about 20 db of gain. (The SE-9's preamp section is passive.) I listen mostly to vinyl, with a very low output cartridge, and I wanted to see whether the gain from a good preamp would make my little system sound even better. It does.

The SE-18 would match with a lot more speakers, has an active preamp stage and includes a moving magnet phono section. As for sound, I can't say. But given the improvements tube rolling provides, you will be looking at some additional expenses trying to track down eight NOS 12AX7s and what look like two 5AR4 rectifiers.

Bottom line is probably what you need. If your room is big, the SE-18 is really the only choice. If you have a small room and reasonably efficient speakers, 90 db or higher, the SE-9 is a sweet little amp. If you listen mostly to CDs/SACD etc., you probably don't need an active preamp anyway. My CD player plays plenty loud and with terrific dynamics plugged right into the SE-9.

Either way, the nOrh amps provide a huge bang for the bucks.

Good luck,
Mike

[def_O]

Thanks for that Mike.  

I'll probably go the SE18 route as my room size is a kind of semi-hexagonal shape sitting outwith a rectangle due to bay windows, and measures 16ft X 13ft max.

However, the setup would be running (speaker wise) across the short side - max distance from sitting position to speakers about 8 ft.

My current speakers are 100 w 86db sensitivity f/standers, so I'll probably invest in some Norh 6.1 simulated marble speakers, Horneshoppe's or Moth Chicada's.  I've no means of auditioning various tube amps/speakers due to a serious back injury which has temporarily curtailed my getting about. The irony is not lost on me

I'm in the slightly ridiculous predicament of having to buy from online sources without hearing them. I listen predominately to acoustic and classical guitar, the female voice and when the mood strikes SRV, Led Zep and some 70s prog rock such as Family. Believe me, I've read just about every reviewers' mixed metaphor, grossly hyperbolic and inane drivel, coupled with the odd epiphany of sensibility of course with reference to these products.

My sources are CD and occasionally FM Tuner.

I also looked at the Jolida 102B, the little Decware Zen, and the aesthethically pleasing Ming Da MC34-A. To be honest, I'll just have to toss a coin to decide as there's no way I can tell the difference by reading the specs; it might as well be in Swahili. That said, perhaps there is someone who, having read the specifications and moreso, the materials and manufacturing methods used, who could point out why "a" is better built than "b" or whatever. You know the kind of thing ...based on quality materials used, tubes used etc,,,,,

Part of the reason I was looking at the Norh amp(s) is price; but also Mr Barnes has a very seductive way of putting his message across.

Wish someone could just point out: buy "such and such " because it's better built etc.. Maximum budget for amp $900; and a bit less for speakers.

[Zoe]

I have the SE-9. It is a fine sounding amp.  Cautions about room size and speaker efficiency should be heeded, though. I have a question, though. How can the SE-9 be used with a pre-amp, since the SE-9 itself is an integrated amp?  Maybe I don't understand something here.

[myoung]

I run the interconnects from my sources into the separate preamp, then run another set to one of the SE-9 inputs. I set the nOrh's volume at 12  o'clock, then use the volume control on the separate pre to actually regulate volume. Since the nOrh preamp section doesn't do anything to the signal, it doesn't seem to hurt the sound. The active preamp seems to help, at least in my rig ... I have no idea if I've done any of this properly and correctly, but it works ...

Mike