Tube Amps to Drive SRS 1.2TLs

[toucanet]

As many of you know, I recently got my hands on a pair of SRS 1.2TLs to replace the ones I lost in a flood.

Now that I've had a chance to listen to these speakers with different preamps and amplifiers, I still have not been able to hear the sounds come out of these speakers the way they came out when I listened to them in beemers417's shop. They were hooked up to a single VTL (don't remember model) amp and sounded really great. While I am in no way saying that they don't sound great with my current equipment, I am saying that the sounds from the preamp (Jolida JD50A) and tube amp at beemers417's shop really made these speakers come alive.

Sounds like I've been chasing a natural high of some sort. Damn you beemers417!:D

Here is a list of the gear that I have used to listen to these speakers so far:
1. Carver CT-17 Preamp and TFM-55 Amp - The Sonic Holography does not sound that good with these particular speakers.
2. Jolida JD50A Preamp and A-760 Amp - I really enjoyed the sound from the Jolida Preamp compared to the CT-17 Preamp.

With this being said, if you were looking for a preamp and tube amp(s) to power your 1.2TLs, what would be your top choices based on a budget not to exceed $10,000? The room dimensions shall be 20 feet by 30 feet (ceiling height is 18 feet). Feel free to include hybrid preamp(s) and amp(s) as alternatives.

I'm curious.

[george daniel]

Just for starters

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....-150-Tube-Ampl

[Pycroft]

I can't comment on specifics, because I've never listed to the high end tube amps or preamps, but FYI, there is a guy local to me who has two BAT 75SE amps - 75 watts each of tube power, and retail for 10k each. I think he would let them go for 3k each, or if you buy both, probably less.

If I had 10k, I'd spend it on them :)

James

[nooshinjohn]

I am currently running a Rogue Audio Perseus tube pre in my rig and the SDA's are magical with this combination.

[george daniel]

Just a thought,, if you go with mono's, you'll need the AI-1 non common ground interface if applicable/compatable with your SDA's. I drove a pair of 2.3tl's with 100 tube watts very well,YMMV,Good luck.

[thsmith]

what is the efficieny rating of 1.2TLs ? 91db ?

[F1nut]

A few....

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....B450-signature

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls..../Wolcott-P-400

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....y-440/200-Watt

[hearingimpared]

Musical Fidelity kw 500 hybrid integrated amp. You should be able to pick up a used one for well under $10K.

You could also go with a MF Trivista 300 hybrid integrated amp. These typically run around $3k.

[toucanet]

Thanks to all of you. You have given me some very good insight that I will research and possibly pursue shortly.

[Huh What?]

If you're interested I have a VTL 5.5 with phono stage I'm letting go at $2200 obo. I've got it paired with a Nakamich PA5 and 1.2TL's (all up for sale). PM me if you'd like more info.

[vc69]

If you're interested I have a VTL 5.5 with phono stage I'm letting go at $2200 obo. I've got it paired with a Nakamich PA5 and 1.2TL's (all up for sale). PM me if you'd like more info.

Might I ask what you intend to upgrade to?

[Huh What?]

No upgrade planned for now. I have a home theater setup with B & W and NAD, so that will just have to do for now.

[toucanet]

Just a thought,, if you go with mono's, you'll need the AI-1 non common ground interface if applicable/compatable with your SDA's. I drove a pair of 2.3tl's with 100 tube watts very well,YMMV,Good luck.

If you decide to sell those amps again, I promise I will jump on them like a lunatic.

[nooshinjohn]

If you're interested I have a VTL 5.5 with phono stage I'm letting go at $2200 obo. I've got it paired with a Nakamich PA5 and 1.2TL's (all up for sale). PM me if you'd like more info.

I think you need a few more posts here before trying to sell your stuff;)...

[george daniel]

If you decide to sell those amps again, I promise I will jump on them like a lunatic.

If I come upon another pair,I'll shoot you a pm,,,be ready.;)

[ChrisA]

...
With this being said, if you were looking for a preamp and tube amp(s) to power your 1.2TLs, what would be your top choices based on a budget not to exceed $10,000? The room dimensions shall be 20 feet by 30 feet (ceiling height is 18 feet). Feel free to include hybrid preamp(s) and amp(s) as alternatives.

I'm curious.

I'd defiantly, for sure bi-amp them. That would mead using two, two channel amps. I'd place each amp near the speaker, using only an arm's lengh of speaker wire.

bi-amping pays off big time with tubes because you can select the output transforms for each frequency range, you don't have to compromise. It is very hard and expensive to make an OPT have good bass and transparent highs, biamp means you don't need to try.

I'd design the amps backwards from the output transformers moving back to the power supply. Call be an "old guy" or whatever but I like the Hammond 1650 series transformers. with KT88 or 6l6 tubes. Going into more detail requires knowing how much power you need. But the above can scale up to 250WPC (total 1000W) but that is unreasonable for your room size. I'd think 100WPC would be better. You can select different transformers for the bass and treble sides of each amp. I'd use the xformer on ultra linear mode

If you don'r know much about amps and can't build or design them, that's OK with your budget you can hire the work out. I'd suggest doing that, the cost of parts could be kept to $500 per channel easy. The major cost will be the transformers. The thing about custom work is to stay in budget don't spec over the top parts. Build with comonity parts and then only later if need be swap out some of the parts.

[toucanet]

I'd defiantly, for sure bi-amp them. That would mead using two, two channel amps. I'd place each amp near the speaker, using only an arm's lengh of speaker wire.

bi-amping pays off big time with tubes because you can select the output transforms for each frequency range, you don't have to compromise. It is very hard and expensive to make an OPT have good bass and transparent highs, biamp means you don't need to try.

I'd design the amps backwards from the output transformers moving back to the power supply. Call be an "old guy" or whatever but I like the Hammond 1650 series transformers. with KT88 or 6l6 tubes. Going into more detail requires knowing how much power you need. But the above can scale up to 250WPC (total 1000W) but that is unreasonable for your room size. I'd think 100WPC would be better. You can select different transformers for the bass and treble sides of each amp. I'd use the xformer on ultra linear mode

If you don'r know much about amps and can't build or design them, that's OK with your budget you can hire the work out. I'd suggest doing that, the cost of parts could be kept to $500 per channel easy. The major cost will be the transformers. The thing about custom work is to stay in budget don't spec over the top parts. Build with comonity parts and then only later if need be swap out some of the parts.

Thanks for the advice ChrisA!

Welcome to the Club:D