[carusoracer]

Looking for Mono Bloc recommendations for my Salk HT3's 86db efficiency.

Tubes I have heard, KR Audio's big tubes, KT88-66, EL34, 300b, 6h? Variant with Dynaco St70 and AVA70.

I like a glorious midrange with the rosin on the bow sound, nice clean deep taught and articulate bass, with a extended natural sounding, not strident or forward, relaxed top end.

I have been steered towards looking at the Jolida Mono Blocs and have heard the Envoy and was very impressed or maybe it was the associated MBL RadialStrahler's aa I need big power and current to drive my HT3's and I'm addicted to the tube sound

Take a look at my systems for further insight to my gear and any and all recommendations appreciated.

Off the list are CJ, Audio Research and Rogue.

Would like to hear; Dodd 120's maybe not enough power
Consonance, Jolida Mono Bloc's, SupraTek.

Thanks for looking

[jtwrace]

I've got speakers that are very similar within 1dB and Gary Dodd says no problem with the 120's.  I spoke with him last week about them and am REALLY thinking about it.  He is also willing to do a recession buster price on them as well.   

[rollo]

 the Consonance 211s are only 18W / ch and may not be enough to drive your speakers as desired. Now the 845 version SEt with more power may do it for you. My recco would be a push pull EL84 based design. If you still would like the SEt sound investigate the use of the GM70 tube. Maybe nightshade could make one for you. At least it will designed around your speaker. something to consider.


charles

[Big Red Machine]

The Dodd's can do it.  Lots of power and with tube rolling you're set.  I have Gold Lions in these now.

[jtwrace]

BRM

I didn't know that you had a pair....what speakers are you using and how do you like them?  What else have you tried against them?  What Gen are they?

[DARTH AUDIO]

I have the Jolida JD3000 211 mono blocs.. These are some mighty nice amps. Had them for 5 years now. They have the tube magic I crave, but also have SS bass and grip!! I use mine with VSA VR-4jr's. I also listen to trio jazz music(ECM Style) and Prog Rock like Porcupine Tree. And everything in between. I found a pair of amps that I would replace them with and they cost $20k! Not happening. Take a listen some time, you won't be disappointed.

Gary

[Niteshade]

I'd say you should have at least 100 watts/channel. Something with four 6550's or KT88's in a push-pull parallel circuit would produce excellent drive for that sensitivity. Note: I know someone who us using a pair of Salks in a somewhat small room and believes 30 watts/channel is more than enough. 

Some things to consider regrading amp wattage selection:

1. Size of room
2. Kind of music you listen to
4. Distance from speakers
3. Volume at which you listen

Looking for Mono Bloc recommendations for my Salk HT3's 86db efficiency.

Tubes I have heard, KR Audio's big tubes, KT88-66, EL34, 300b, 6h? Variant with Dynaco St70 and AVA70.

I like a glorious midrange with the rosin on the bow sound, nice clean deep taught and articulate bass, with a extended natural sounding, not strident or forward, relaxed top end.

I have been steered towards looking at the Jolida Mono Blocs and have heard the Envoy and was very impressed or maybe it was the associated MBL RadialStrahler's aa I need big power and current to drive my HT3's and I'm addicted to the tube sound

Take a look at my systems for further insight to my gear and any and all recommendations appreciated.

Off the list are CJ, Audio Research and Rogue.

Would like to hear; Dodd 120's maybe not enough power
Consonance, Jolida Mono Bloc's, SupraTek.

Thanks for looking

[jtwrace]

Niteshade

What does a pair of your 100w P-P monos cost?

[zybar]

Carusoracer,

What is your budget?

I bet a used pair of Atma-Sphere MA-1's (you might need to use the Speltz Zeros as well) would do the trick and give you exactly what you are looking for. 

Personally, I felt that the McAlister PP-150 was an all-around better amp than the Dodd 120's (I had both and used them on HT3's), but you may feel differently.

FWIW, here is a post I made comparing the Moscode 402HR to the Dodd 120's:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=32863.0

Good luck.

George

[Niteshade]

Hi- That is one of the new 2010 products. There will be a standard and Grand series and specifications to both will be in my Product Support thread soon. The basic 100 watt 6550/KT88 mono blocks will be $2800.00 and the Grand series is $3800.00. 

Niteshade

What does a pair of your 100w P-P monos cost?

[jtwrace]

Zybar

Supposedly the new 120's (Gen 3) have come far beyond Gen 1 / 2. 

MA-1's would work as well.  (still on my list)

[honesthoff]

the Consonance 211s are only 18W / ch and may not be enough to drive your speakers as desired. Now the 845 version SEt with more power may do it for you. My recco would be a push pull EL84 based design. If you still would like the SEt sound investigate the use of the GM70 tube. Maybe nightshade could make one for you. At least it will designed around your speaker. something to consider.


charles

I heard deHavilland's GM70 amps a few years ago driving some Salons, and they were pretty spectacular.  If they weren't $13K for the pair I would have bought them.  Not sure what your budget is, but definitely worth a listen.

[doug s.]

i don't know what the x-over point is on the ht3's woofers, but bi-amping w/a solid state amp on the bottom may open up more possibilities as to what would work w/tubed amplification on the mid/tweets.

doug s.

[carusoracer]

Thanks for the replies. I'm at a 3K previously enjoyed budget.
Any other views appreciated, looking at all angles.

Cheers

[oneinthepipe]

i don't know what the x-over point is on the ht3's woofers, but bi-amping w/a solid state amp on the bottom may open up more possibilities as to what would work w/tubed amplification on the mid/tweets.

doug s.

Who currently manufactures crossovers for bi-amping?  I see Marchand crossovers for sale periodically, but otherwise, I only seem to find pro-audio gear. 

[doug s.]

Who currently manufactures crossovers for bi-amping?  I see Marchand crossovers for sale periodically, but otherwise, I only seem to find pro-audio gear.

marchand would be my first choice, actually - the best out there at their price point, imo, regardless of which model you choose.  they sometimes show up used, then  they are really a good deal.  the bryston 10b is also supposed to be good, but no better than the least expensive marchands, according to those who have compared.  (i didn't, i yust took their word for it & bought the the marchand, at ~1/3 the price.)

i am sure the better pro-audio x-overs are decent, but i am not sure how transparent they would be.  but, since some are inexpensive, even new, (from a pro-audio dealer), it might be worth trying one, like dbx, rane, etc...

i am presently using a dsp-based x-over (deqx), that i really like, for its speaker/room eq abilities, but i have no interest in parting w/my marchands - when i am in different digs and able to set up another system or two, i am sure they will get used again.   

all that said - i would discuss w/mr salk - it may be far easier to find an appropriate sub amp that you could use passively, depending on gain & x-over frequency.  if you want to go active (a great idea, imo), then you will likely have to disconnect the low-mid x-over of your ht-3's...

doug s.

[Thebiker]

Have you considered the used market?   I just saw a nice pair of VTL Deluxe 300 monoblocks for sale over on Agon http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1268168721&/VTL-Deluxe-300.  At 300 watts of tube power, you can drive just about anything.

VTL builds a good product and these sold originally for around 5K, the seller wants under $2K.

Happy hunting.

Walt