[SoundSound]

Dear Audiophiles! 

I am looking for a musical power amplifier (up to 3K used  ) to work nicely with my current components: Primare PRE30 preamplifier and Monitor Audio RS6 speakers.
PASS Labs XA30.5 came highly recommended by many of the Solid State experts, and I am wondering if Tube-o-phile community could please suggest any viable alternatives! 

Please chime in! 

[Shakeydeal]

Efficiency of speakers, how loud do you listen, how big  is your room?

Shakey

[mresseguie]

Speakers: Description: Two-way, ported, bass-reflex loudspeaker. Drive-units: 25mm Gold Dome C-CAM tweeter, 6" C-CAM-cone bass/midrange unit, 6" C-CAM-cone woofer. Crossover frequency: 3kHz. Frequency range: 38Hz–30kHz. Sensitivity: 91dB/W/m. Nominal impedance: 6 ohms. Power handling: 120W RMS.
Dimensions: 33½" (850mm) H by 7¼" (185mm) W by 97/8" (250mm) D. Weight: 40 lbs (18.2kg) shipping.
Read more at http://www.stereophile.com/content/monitor-audio-silver-rs6-loudspeaker-specifications#sOpwWl2vDZeFsRKp.99

Preamp is SS.

[SoundSound]

Thank you very kindly! 

My "cave" is only 15x15x9 and I am not listening at high volumes, probably, at about 75 - 85 dB SPL.

[Shakeydeal]

With the information stated, I would go for the used Music Reference RM9 II that is listed on Audiogon right now for 2300.00. Hard to do better than that for a 100 watt tube amp.


Shakey

[mresseguie]

I think many folks would agree with the idea that a SS amp pairs better with a SS preamp (or is it SS pre pairs better with SS amp?).    Of course, that isn't a hard and fast rule.

I started out all SS. Then, I got a hybrid amp followed by a tube preamp (not the one I have now), and I'm now seriously considering a tube amp, but that can wait until I decide on my next speakers. I'm babbling....

Expect several folks to chime in on this. Enjoy your journey.

Michael

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I think many folks would agree with the idea that a SS amp pairs better with a SS preamp (or is it SS pre pairs better with SS amp?).    Of course, that isn't a hard and fast rule.

I started out all SS. Then, I got a hybrid amp followed by a tube preamp (not the one I have now), and I'm now seriously considering a tube amp, but that can wait until I decide on my next speakers. I'm babbling....

Expect several folks to chime in on this. Enjoy your journey.

Michael

I don't agree that a SS preamp pairs better with a SS amp vs a tube preamp and SS amp.  You just need to make sure that there is not an impedance mismatch.  I love the sound of a tube pre and SS amp. My BAT preamp sounds much better with my Pass amp then when I used a SS Pass preamp with the amp.  I have tried other tube pre's with my SS amps and loved the sound.  When using different brands of Pre's and amps it is always a crap shoot when it comes to sound and system synergy.

[woodsyi]

Relatively small woofers and medium sensitivity won't need a lot of power but SET amps would be too low powered.  Parallel SE is probably out too.  So you are looking at push pull triodes or others.  Then you have to think about ultralinear or not.  Knowing different classes will give you only a general idea of what sound you will get but that's like knowing what prime cut is for beef -- you get certain amount of marbling and thus get an idea of texture but the flavor can be all over the map.  Output irons (usually), wires and parts, topology, power supply and implementation as well as your choice of tubes will determine the final sound.  The bottom line is you have to try to be sure.  Tubes generally give you more robust or bloomy texture but also add noise.  The lower end can be looser too due to lower damping power.  Add biasing and tubes are certainly higher maintenance.  Still, I use tube amps because I can't give up the tonal texture.  Good luck.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

If you want to go the tube route for an amp, you should keep in mind that most tube gear is single ended with the exception of a few companies, with BAT (Balance Audio Technology) being one of them.

They are a few good tube amps for sale on Audiogon like an Audio Research VS 115 and 110, Conrad Johnson Classic 60se, Primaluna DiaLogue 7 to name a few. 

My personal advice, stick with the Pass XA30 and don't give it one after thought.  If you don't like it, you can always sell it.  Pass gear sells rather quickly due to their reputation and build quality.  You can always pair it with a tube preamp, tube DAC, and tube phono preamp if you want a little bit of tube sound.

[Shakeydeal]

If you want to go the tube route for an amp, you should keep in mind that most tube gear is single ended with the exception of a few companies,

Methinks you got that backwards. Actually most companies make push pull amps and the minority are SET.

Think

cj
BAT
audio research
prima luna
Quicksilver
Cary
VTL
Manley
McIntosh
Granite Audio
Rogue

While some of the above do have single ended offerings, most of their inventory is NOT SET.

Shakey

[Brad]

I think he meant single-ended v balanced, as in connection topology.

Not singled-ended v push-pull, in tube topology

[JakeJ]

A few suggestions within your budget -

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tube-vac-pa-90-monoblocks-w-separate-power-supplies-2017-05-09-amplifiers-08057-moorestown-nj
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tube-cary-audio-design-cad-120s-mkii-silver-2017-05-10-amplifiers-96814-honolulu-hi
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tube-sonic-frontiers-power-1-with-kt-120-tubes-price-drop-5-2-17-2017-05-05-amplifiers-48239-redford-mi
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tube-music-reference-rm-9-mkii-this-is-the-tube-amp-that-you-are-looking-for-2017-04-29-amplifiers-35806-huntsville-al
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tube-vac-pa100-100-with-phi-upgrade-2017-04-25-amplifiers-32223-jacksonville-fl

http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649350801-rogue-audio-st100-power-amplifier-in-silver/
http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649343349-music-reference-rm9-mk2-as-new-refurbished-amp-upgraded-by-roger-with-warranty/
http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649340658-smooth-amp-musical-rogue-audio-stereo-90-fully-serviced-super-magnum-upgrade/


Also you might consider an integrated -
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tube-rogue-audio-cronus-magnum-ii-black-2017-05-11-integrateds-32459-santa-rosa-beach-fl
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tube-vpi-industries-299d-limited-edition-tube-integrated-amp-2017-05-05-integrateds-14580-webster-ny
http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649249387-vincent-k35-tube-integrated-amp-in-silver-110v-brand-new-in-factory-sealed-box/
http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649296630-jolida-3502s-upgraded-integrated-amp/
http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649223067-jolida-fusion-801-integrated-tube-amp-new/


Have fun!

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I think he meant single-ended v balanced, as in connection topology.

Not singled-ended v push-pull, in tube topology

Correct, most tube gear uses RCA vs XLR interconnects.  The OP in another post stated he wanted Balanced Inputs and a budget of around $3K.

[SoundSound]

Thank you all very much! What a helpful bunch you guys are!

I must confess I am a total newbie in everything tube-related. For example, what are you, @woodsyi, talking about: SET, parallel SE, triode, ultralinear, etc.? Trying to educate myself, but it is all Greek to me yet... You also mentioned something VERY important in my book: "The lower end can be looser too due to lower damping power". Would you agree such behaviour is more or less typical for tubed amps?

Could you, dear Audiophiles, please give me your top three choices of power amps (up to 3K used) suitable for my speakers? I checked all the references provided and am just drowning: Primaluna DiaLogue 7 (2.5K only, but made in China?!), Audio Research VS 115 (state of art, positively!), Cary Audio Design CAD-120s mkII Silver (with balanced inputs!), etc. I am totally and completely lost... Sorry...

If I go with Pass Labs XA30.5, as was kindly suggested by @I.Greyhound Fan, what balanced preamp would you recommend me to pair it with, please?

[I.Greyhound Fan]

My top 2 are the Pass #1, ARC #2.  If you get the Pass, consider a Pass XP-10 or X-1 preamp, a BAT VK-32se, 33se, 52se or an ARC LS-27, Parasound JC-2 but these will cost $3000 and up used.  Cary makes some nice preamps like the SLP-05.  You are just going to have to bite the bullet and see what you like.  There are several of these preamps for sale on audiogon.

For SS preamps, I would put them in this order-  XP-10, Parasound JC2  (both the JC2 and XP-10 are interchangeable but for system synergy with the pass amp I give the nod to the XP-10, Pass X-1 a distant third.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings?filter_category_id%5B%5D=31&filter_category_id%5B%5D=31&filter_category_id%5B%5D=46&filter_category_id%5B%5D=46&filter_category_id%5B%5D=46&items_per_page=50&listing_types_auctions=1&listing_types_classifieds=1&location_filter_radius=25&max_condition=11&min_condition=1&no_listing_types_auctions=false&no_listing_types_classifieds=false&order_by=current_price+ASC&page=3

Why do you want a balanced system?  It really makes no difference at all.  I run a fully balanced system because all my gear including my DAC is balanced but when I ran it with the single ended inputs there was no difference on sound.  Balanced or XLR interconnects cost more than their single ended counter parts.

Here is a review of a Pass Labs system with an XP-10 preamp and an XA-60.5 amp similar to the XA-30.5

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/0712/pass_labs_xp_10_xa_60_5.htm


I think that you are over thinking things.  Get the Pass and skip the tubes as they can be a source of a Headache when one starts to go bad.

[twitch54]

I think many folks would agree with the idea that a SS amp pairs better with a SS preamp (or is it SS pre pairs better with SS amp?). 

???? ....ahhhh, it's the same thing, your point ??

[WGH]

My "cave" is only 15x15x9...

Depending on the tube amp, your "cave" may become a sauna in the summer.

[mresseguie]

???? ....ahhhh, it's the same thing, your point ??

Twitch,

My apologies. I was trying to be humorous. No point - just light hearted humor. 

[Early B.]

I'd suggest changing your priorities. Buying a $3K amp to mate with your current your speakers is putting the cart before the horse. 

[RDavidson]

Disagree. Those MA speakers actually respond quite well to much higher-end gear ahead of them.