Reccomendations for small Office amp tube preferred

kbuzz3 · « **on:** 7 Apr 2006, 02:24 pm »

Hello all my trusty modded dynaco sca 35 needs retubing and id rather explore an upgrade for my office system which is a usb dac into vintage 15 Ohm LS35A's. I much prefer the sound and styling of vintage tube gear but heat and reliability will be issues as i intend to run this amp at least 6 hours a day.

Anyone have any thoughts on a small -cooler running integrated or ultra reliablie tube (or hybrid) amp less then 1.5K-Used no problem. Size wise the unison integrated looks like winner but something about it leaves me cold-must be the stereophile gushing

My short list here is -for use with a small passive pre is:

Music ref rm 9 mk2
older quicksilver

Any further suggestions would be appreciated. I am also willing to consider one of the class D, ice power so long as its a stereo chassis and can drive the LS35As...

skrivis · « **Reply #1 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 03:06 pm »

Quote from: kbuzz3

Hello all my trusty modded dynaco sca 35 needs retubing and id rather explore an upgrade for my office system which is a usb dac into vintage 15 Ohm LS35A's. I much prefer the sound and styling of vintage gear but heat a reliability will be issues as i intend to run this amp at least 6 hours a day.

Anyone have any thoughts on a small -cooler running integrated or ultra reliablie tube (or hybrid) amp less then 1.5K-Used no problem. size wise the unison integrated looks like winner but something about ...

Given the wacky impedance curve of the LS3/5A's, you may see a wide difference in the sound of the system with different amps. In particular, tube amps with their relatively high output impedance will change when connected to these speakers.

It's quite possible that you will not like the way a SS amp sounds if you like the system with the SCA-35.

I think I would do one of two things.

Retube the SCA-35 since it seems like you're pleased with the way it sounds. You'd have to live with the extra heat, but reliability should still be fine.

Or look into an NAD integrated amp. They tend to be quite good, and they're not expensive. I see there's a C352 over on Audiogon for $409.

Maybe you could use some of the money you save to buy a spare driver or two for the LS3/5A's? That would be worth having around.

As for <$1.5K integrated amps, the usual suspects are probably worthwhile. VTL, Conrad-Johnson, Audio Research, maybe even Manley. I think I would choose any one of these over one of the many Chinese tube products.

acresm22 · « **Reply #2 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 05:04 pm »

I see a Midwest Audio Classic 2A3 amp on AG...just listed in the last few days. It's 3.5 watts might not be enough for your LS3/5As, but maybe it'll work in a small office system.
The Midwest Audio amp is a nice one. I have the Handmade Audio version of it.

D.

OTL · « **Reply #3 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 05:24 pm »

Two Manley Stingray's on audiogon.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1149392141

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1147560509

skrivis · « **Reply #4 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 05:31 pm »

Quote from: OTL

Two Manley Stingray's on audiogon.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1149392141

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1147560509

Yeah, those would do the trick.

I'm not 100% sold on the Manley stuff. VTL seems more rational.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1149007607

Would be a good bet, but it's sold already.

kbuzz3 · « **Reply #5 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 05:54 pm »

thanks all for the suggestions. Is the stingray a bit larger then the typical 17 inch width?

Carlman · « **Reply #6 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 06:00 pm »

I use the Minimax 8watt amp being fed by a Squeezebox3 in my home office. It has no problem running all day and is very small. I use it in a nearfield setup with a pair of KIT41 speakers. I have some photos when I was using a Sharp EX-111 in my gallery under an album called 'the Office'... I need to take more updated photos... The Mini is smaller than the Sharp.... but heavier and does get warm... but not hot.

I've been very pleased with this setup in my office.

-C

skrivis · « **Reply #7 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 06:01 pm »

Quote from: kbuzz3

thanks all for the suggestions. Is the stingray a bit larger then the typical 17 inch width?

from their site:

Dimensions: W= 19", D=14", H= 5 1/2"

http://www.manleylabs.com/containerpages/stingray99.html

OTL · « **Reply #8 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 08:43 pm »

Quote from: skrivis

Quote from: OTL
Two Manley Stingray's on audiogon.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1149392141

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1147560509

Yeah, those would do the trick.

I'm not 100% sold on the Manley stuff. VTL seems more rational.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1149007607

Would be a good bet, but it's sold already.

You'd have to look far and wide for anything close to Manley's enthusiam and support.

But then again, you could hold out for a pair of VTL Tiny Triodes. If still available new, right in your $$$ ballpark. Used I'd guess about $700. Driving a pair of LS3/5 A's, these would sing.

http://www.vtl.com/pages/compact.html#TT-25

lcrim · « **Reply #9 on:** 8 Apr 2006, 06:09 am »

I also have the Eastern Electric Minimax that Carl recommended. It is a fine piece of equipment that uses cheap power tubes and is a push-pull design, that would never be described as overly tube sounding. I use it with the companion preamp and I am very happy with it.
The particular Manley piece you have asked about is an integrated and will take up quite a bit of room, if it will even fit in a single width rack. It also will easily put out more heat than the Minimax but it does produce more watts. You may need the power to drive the Spendors.