[JeffBrown]

Zero,
Read one of my reviews and you will know my whole system....

Source: Roku Soundbridge M1000 (Uncompressed WAV files served over a CAT6 100Mb connection)
Pre: nOrh ACA2b Tube pre
Speakers: Fritz Frequency Dynaudio/Scanspeak monitors (Awfully similar to the new Totem The One)

Cables: I got tons to play with....

Jeff

[Mister Pig]

I have owned a pair of Silver 90's in the past. One of the pieces of audio gear I have regretted selling. Personally I don't think you are going to get significantly better without spending large amount of green. I think one of the big Atmaspheres would do it. Or a large Transcendent Audio, if you have speakers with a stable impedance load. In terms of SS amplifiers, some of the older Classe, or Gryphon would fit the bill nicely.

One thing to say about the QS amplifiers. If you have changed output tubes from the stock QS tubes, well thats a mistake. I tried rolling KT 88's through them, but found the QS tubes to be the best sounding. Mike Sanders burns and selects Shuguang tubes, and his amps really shine with them.

I also used a QS Full Function pre amp, which worked nicely with it. I believe in matching amps and pre's from the same company if possible.

Regards
Mister Pig

[Zero]

Jeff - Thanks.  Considering your pre amp, source, and the drivers used in your speakers (not to mention the sound you are going for, I'd recommend investigating the following)

new - Monarchy SE-250 mono blocks
used - McIntosh MC 525 stereo amp
used - Blue Circle BC-2 Hybrid mono's
used - Plinius SA 100 MK3 stereo amp

[AmpDesigner333]

Zero,
Read one of my reviews and you will know my whole system....

Source: Roku Soundbridge M1000 (Uncompressed WAV files served over a CAT6 100Mb connection)
Pre: nOrh ACA2b Tube pre
Speakers: Fritz Frequency Dynaudio/Scanspeak monitors (Awfully similar to the new Totem The One)

Cables: I got tons to play with....

Jeff

You might be surprised how much of a difference a high power (even what might be considered overkill) and super low noise/distortion power amp can make.  However, your speakers are pretty small, so I would actually NOT recommend the DAC4800A amp (640Wpc into 4 ohms) for your speakers!  Totem recommends 120W or lower for their similar speakers.  I would guess one false move with the volume control and you might pop the cones onto the floor with the 4800 amp...  BUT, you might want to listen to a lower power Class-D amp (a.k.a. "digital amp", even though this term is a misnomer) before settling for tubes.  See if you can borrow a digital amp that has really good specs (see http://digitalamp.blogspot.com/ for an explanation about specs).  Thanks.

[JeffBrown]

I have never thought of tubes as settling.  Their are SS amps that I love the sound of, MBL for example, the next time I have an entire middle class salory for a stereo amp I wont be passing those up! 

I asked before about Cary. Does anyone have any recomendations on things from them in the 2500 or lower catagory, the Mahi-Mahi sugestion earlier was a good one anything else from Eveanne's wonderful company?  I have been very happy with the offerings from smaller comanies like Tecon and Ideal Inovations so even a small shop could work for me.

Thanks
Jeff

[WerTicus]

I'm in love with nuforce, nothing comes close to that feeling of power and control to me.  (unless your talking about some huge class A behemoth)

the main reasons i love nuforce, is because of the distortion figures remain low right to clipping, and they have massive damping ability (>4000) for really great transients and bass response.

not important to me but they are not too fussed with load either the only issues people seem to have with them seem to be related to grounding on the pre amps.

[Randy]

Here's another endorsement of the Red Wine. There's a power amp version which I have.  It's one great amp, and you'll love getting off the grid.

[AmpDesigner333]

I have never thought of tubes as settling.  Their are SS amps that I love the sound of, MBL for example, the next time I have an entire middle class salory for a stereo amp I wont be passing those up! 

I asked before about Cary. Does anyone have any recomendations on things from them in the 2500 or lower catagory, the Mahi-Mahi sugestion earlier was a good one anything else from Eveanne's wonderful company?  I have been very happy with the offerings from smaller comanies like Tecon and Ideal Inovations so even a small shop could work for me.

Thanks
Jeff

Sorry, that came out sounding wrong!  I'm just saying you might find similar properties at low power with Class-D.  Thanks for understanding.

[JeffBrown]

Does anyone have an opinion on the Prima Luna products?

[Zero]

Good build. 

Ok sound.

[kenreau]

Does anyone have an opinion on the Prima Luna products?

I looked and listened to the PL amps about 18 months ago and ended up buying Cayin tube amps.  Imho, they have a lot of similarities (inside parts, wiring, general layout and look) and appear to possibly be made in the same place(?).  What I saw with Cayin was a few clicks up on the build quality scale (less pcb's, better quality caps, more film caps, much bigger transformers).  It kind of reminded me of the GM auto lines; Prima Luna might be considered a Chevy and the Cayin could be the Cadillac.