[madders]

Hi Guys,

I'm after recommendations for a tube power amp that will match well with my SWLP 9.0SE. I'm after all the aspects the Modwright pre does well with tubes - i.e. no bloomy fuzzy sound but just a great lifelike midrange - if that makes sense? I'll be running speakers with an 88dB/w sensitivity but never crank the volume right up loud as I live in an apartment, so huge power is not required. Budget would be up to around $3000.

I hope this makes sense? What do you guys suggest I put on my shortlist? 

[zybar]

Hi Guys,

I'm after recommendations for a tube power amp that will match well with my SWLP 9.0SE. I'm after all the aspects the Modwright pre does well with tubes - i.e. no bloomy fuzzy sound but just a great lifelike midrange - if that makes sense? I'll be running speakers with an 88dB/w sensitivity but never crank the volume right up loud as I live in an apartment, so huge power is not required. Budget would be up to around $3000.

I hope this makes sense? What do you guys suggest I put on my shortlist? 

Can you give more details on the speakers?

You say huge power isn't required...what do you consider huge?

More info will help us to provide better recommendations.

George

[madders]

Can you give more details on the speakers?

You say huge power isn't required...what do you consider huge?

More info will help us to provide better recommendations.

George

Hi George,
Thanks for the reply. My speakers are Aurum Cantus Vollas, so ribbon tweeter with cone woofer. I'm not sure what I would consider huge as I've only used solid state power amps with these speakers and pre amp which tend to have higher power ratings than tube power amps from what I've seen. I guess what I meant was I don't listen to my music at "loud" volumes so the amp will be unlikely to run out of steam due to volume. Does that help?

[zybar]

Can you give more details on the speakers?

You say huge power isn't required...what do you consider huge?

More info will help us to provide better recommendations.

George

Hi George,
Thanks for the reply. My speakers are Aurum Cantus Vollas, so ribbon tweeter with cone woofer. I'm not sure what I would consider huge as I've only used solid state power amps with these speakers and pre amp which tend to have higher power ratings than tube power amps from what I've seen. I guess what I meant was I don't listen to my music at "loud" volumes so the amp will be unlikely to run out of steam due to volume. Does that help?

It helps a bit...

Do you know the impedance min and average?  This will help determine if SET or OTL amps are a possibility.

If they are, I can highly recommend a used pair of Atma-Sphere M-60's. 

I'll post some other possible choices shortly.

George

[madders]

They're 8 ohm average, minimum is 6.4 ohm.

[kenreau]

Hi Guys,

I'm after recommendations for a tube power amp that will match well with my SWLP 9.0SE. I'm after all the aspects the Modwright pre does well with tubes - i.e. no bloomy fuzzy sound but just a great lifelike midrange - if that makes sense? I'll be running speakers with an 88dB/w sensitivity but never crank the volume right up loud as I live in an apartment, so huge power is not required. Budget would be up to around $3000.

I hope this makes sense? What do you guys suggest I put on my shortlist? 

At the risk of a shameless plug, I suggest Cayin 860 Tube Mono Amps (with EL-34 tubes).  Power Output (8 ohms): 70W (Ultralinear), 38W (Triode).  I have a pair bought new last year that I had Sonic Craft provide a bunch of upgrade mods for (SC caps, Cardas caps, Black gates, discrete rectifiers, etc) and NOS Mullard tubes, etc.  They are really sweet and fit your budget range.  I run them with my LS 36.5 and Merlin VSMs.  The Cayin gear is super quality bang for the dollar (point to point wiring, solid chassis, massive transformers, etc).  You can find out more details at Acoustic Sounds website as they sell them and had them in one of their demo rooms with Harbeth speakers.  If you may be interested ping me a pm as I am considering selling these.

Kenreau

[zybar]

Here are a few more possibilities:

McAlister PP-150
Bella Extreme 3205
Audio Mirror 6C33C 45 watt SET's
Music Reference RM-9 or RM-200


George

[JCarney]

I would recommend Quicksilver. Mike Sanders builds very good gear. I've had the pleasure of hearing some of his prototypes over at Galibier Designs, and thought that everytjing I heard was very good. The Silver 70 mono's are a little more then you stated, but might be worth looking into.  http://quicksilveraudio.com/products/Silver%2070.html

Good Luck,
JCarney

[topround]

I would second the rm9 or rm 200, both great designs that sound great.
I would add a Van Alstine Ultra Amp might be a good combo, his designs are very musical, the combo with the very linear and accurate Modwright might make you happy.
And I would second the Quick silver stuff, again very musical.
I would lean towards a more full rich musical amp with that pre. I don't know what the new pre sounds like, but the older one is a bit SS sounding, very good but on the leaner side for me. With the right amp it could be magic.

[billc]

I have heard the Quicksilvers and they sound great.  And there is considerable mod potential (to draw out all the performance they have to offer).  I have heard modded Quicksilvers, and the mods are worth the effort.  

I run my Modwright SWL 9.0SEs into a pair of Antique Sound Lab Hurricane monoblocks (ver 1), and love the sound. The Hurricanes were modded with cap and resistor upgrades by Bill Baker at Response Audio.  Clear, clean, dynamic, musical. The Hurricanes drive either Ellis 1801b's or SP Tech Mini's.  Source is usually analog, throught a Wright Sound Co phono stage.  

I would characterize this combination of equipment as being highly musical with very high resolution (but not edgy).  Soundstage is excellent width and depth, dynamics are excellent with 100/200 wpc (triode or pentode), and the ModWright/Hurricane combo is wonderful. I have found the ModWright preamp to work well with higher power tube amps that do not suffer from excessive tube harmonic coloration (like the Hurricanes, Quickies, etc...).  The result is very accurate to source.

Bill C.

[rpf]

You didn't state whether you have the SS or tube rectified version of the 9.0 (I owned both iterations of the 9.0 and now have a 36.5).

If the former then, as Topround suggested, I would go for a richer amp - perhaps an EL 34 based unit or a CJ.

If the latter, any tube amp will probably sound excellent and there are some good recommendations above.  I would add the Dodd Mono 50s to the list.

[madders]

Wow! Thanks for all the replies guys! My Pre has the tube rectified PSU. Quicksilver seems to be a frequent recommendation but I'll also check out the others listed and see where I get I'm in the UK so I'm guessing it's going to be difficult to hear a lot of these amps but I'll let you know what I end up with 

Thanks again and feel free to post any more suggestions.

Steve

[Scottdazzle]

My experiences with Music Reference have been overwhelmingly positive. Roger puts a great deal of thought and experience into his amps and is always willing to help out his customers.  I think you should give MR amps consideration no matter what you eventually decide on.

[highland_dave]

Another strong recommendation for Roger and Music Reference. 

Yes, Roger (and Ray) are helpful, knowledgeable, and provide great support for their products.  Yes, they will talk to you on the phone and answer all of your questions.  Yes, if you should ever have a problem with one of their products they can make it right.

And as a bonus, the rm-200 sounds magical with the modwright 36.5 (quieter, faster, more detailed than the tube-rectified swl 9.0se I previously owned but definitely a similar-sounding preamp) and cremona auditors (4 ohm nominal 2.8 ohm minimum) I now own!  Huge, deep soundstage.  Solid and tuneful bass.  A midrange that is at the same time clear, liquid, and engaging. 

I recently compared with the new Mcintosh 2301 300 wpc tube monoblocks driving some Mcintosh line-array speakers.  While the Mcintosh setup is remarkable, sounding wonderful on all types of music, IMHO the bass is tighter and more musical with the rm-200.  On the other hand, perhaps I am cheating a bit by using monitor and a sub rather than a full-range.

Dave W

[wilsynet]

I know you asked for a valve power amp recommendation, but I can't help but suggest the Red Wine Audio Signature 30.2.  There are a number of Modwright SWL 9.0 owners who've paired this preamp with the Signature 30.2.

Check out the review of the RWA 30.2 from head moonie Srajan Ebaen at 6moons.

I believe the 30 watts plus the high current from the amplifier should easily drive your 88db efficient speakers.  And Vinnie, like Dan, is a great guy to deal with.  Email him the details of your preamp and speakers, and he'll be quite up front and honest about how well he thinks the 30.2 match up in your system.