[MttBsh]

Any suggestions? I'm leaning towards tubes but am interested in any amps  others feel make magic with the Minimax. Amp will feed 95db Cain & Cain Abbys & sub, so I need a sub out. I'm hoping to stay in the 1-2K range, pre-owned is fine. Currently using a Red Wine 30.2 signature, which I love. Thanks for your ideas!

[Gopher]

Firstwatt F1.

I used one built by Tim Rawson with my Abbys and Minimax and it was awesome.  There is a new F1J available now as well.  I don't think you can beat it for driving the Abbys--really wakes them up and gets a little impact going. 

I'm not sure what you mean by needing a 'sub out' on an amplifier.  Isn't that typically on the pre?  I know the Minimax has two sets of pre-outs so you should be fine in that regard with any amp choice.

[MttBsh]

Hey, thanks Gopher. Funny, I was looking at the Firstwatt this morning, the 6 Moons review with the Abbys (circa 2004) says it well.

Thanks also for pointing out the option to connect my Bailey sub from the Minimax rather than my amp (duh! ) - I tried it and it sounds a little "boomy" compared to out of my 30.2, but I'll play around with the sub settings a little more.

I really appreciate your suggestions!

[roymail]

Currently using a Red Wine 30.2 signature, which I love. Thanks for your ideas!

I think the RWA 30.2 amp and Minimax preamp would be a great combo for your setup. 

[MttBsh]

I think the RWA 30.2 amp and Minimax preamp would be a great combo for your setup.

It is a superb setup - I couldn't be happier with Minimax/30.2 sound - I just keep draining the batteries and want to explore a "non-battery powered" solution.

[fsimms]

The Van Alstine Ultravalve should be at the top of your list.  Look at the review in the August issue of "Absolute Sound".  Dick Olsher reviewed it with the Salk SongTowers.   From his final paragraph.

"In my estimation, the Salk Sound SongTower and Ultravalve combo represent the most musical audio dollars you’re ever likely to spend during a lifetime of consumption."

I think he liked the amp! 

Bob

[bacobits1]

If you can use 8 great watts each channel, EE Mini Max own 6bm8 amp is excellent.
You don't hear too much about it, or see many used.
I used to own this combo and it didn't sound like 8 watts on Brines FT1600II speakers.

D

[richidoo]

The specs for the minimax are so good it can drive any power amp. It makes 20+ volts into 1MOhm and can even drive 600 ohms with some effort. Any normal power amp with 10kOhms will be a walk in the park. A great and classic preamp. I miss mine! I used it with tubes and SS amps, it went good with everything. The only preamp that ever beat it was Cary SLP05. Some good advice there from bacobits, the minimax allows tube amps to really sing. It had great synergy with the big EE M156 amps too, but that's probably a little much for your Abbeys.   EE designer is very talented.