Valve amp recommendations

[kernow]

Thinking I could find something better suited to my new speakers. I've read the 20+ page tannoy thread and a lot of different amps being discussed but I didn't see one clear winner.

If I sell my amps and add a bit, budget would be probably 1200-1500 for something used. Integrated would do. I have no idea on all the different configurations but I want something of decent build, powerful enough, good reliability and isn't going to burn 3kw/h or whatever.

Any suggestions? I don't want to fart about chopping and changing, I just want something that'll be a worthwhile upgrade and will fit first time hopefully.

I listen to all types of music so it's got to be a good all rounder. I played some CDs earlier to a friend and while he said the acoustic stuff sounded excellent, some of the first Prodigy album sounded 'below average'. But then I don't know how well any valve amp would cope with dance music. To be honest it's sounding better than it ever has and we were being critical. I could quite happily live with it as is.

Half of me thinks ah fuck it just keep what you have a bit longer and get used to it with the new speakers instead of travelling the rocky road of frustration and uncertainty, but you never know. Perhaps I need an amp bake off. Now I've got a dedicated phono/sut I don't need to worry about relying on the 99pre anymore for my turntable - which was part of the initial plan

Cheers.

 

[meninblack]

I got great results with The Prodigy out of those Turnberrys! IME they like push-pull valves with at least 20W, but the quality of the transformers and power supply can be more important than the actual valves. The pre-amp is also very important when it comes to getting a bit of life and bounce into the sound.

 

[russ abbott - royds broth]

The best i heard my tannoys with quite a few different amps was a pair of wad 5881 power amps with wad pre amp.

Tried the 2a3 with matts tannoys and that sounded very good.

 

[kernow]

Yeah the 2a3 seems like a good choice but 18w? I thought they were rated 30-180w or something. But I have read about a lot of people powering them with 20 and under. Hopefully something I chose would be good for every genre of music. I don't want it to be too soft sounding for dance or whatever.

 

[meninblack]

I would avoid SET amps as I don't think they work well with Tannoys. I got great results with an Opera Consonance M100S (300B push-pull, about 20 wpc) for about £500. The Air Tight is the best I've heard, but out-of-budget.

Well worth auditioning a Pure Sound A30 - I'm sure Guy could help you out. ;-)

 

[russ abbott - royds broth]

Not sure.

You need to try half a dozen different amps.

I thought class a would be a good match but it was poor,a t amp worked better.

Not sure how a AI 500 would work.

Can bring my amp over sometime if you want to have a listen.

 

[kernow]

I've heard most say PP is the way forward. I guess I'll just keep an eye out in future and do a bit more reading. I don't listen massively loud but I don't want something that's barely going to cope.

 

[russ abbott - royds broth]

I tried AN set power amps.

Was a complete mis match.

 

[meninblack]

Class A can work - I had a Sugden Masterclass and it was pretty good. Pioneer A-09 even better.

 

[kernow]

:^ I'd probably never tell if it was a mismatch or not knowing my ability to describe what I hear.

- - - Updated - - -

I would avoid SET amps as I don't think they work well with Tannoys. I got great results with an Opera Consonance M100S (300B push-pull, about 20 wpc) for about £500. The Air Tight is the best I've heard, but out-of-budget.Well worth auditioning a Pure Sound A30 - I'm sure Guy could help you out. ;-)

I tried his demo A30 with my Dalis. Didn't drive them as well as the 909 but that was to be expected. Sounded nice though!. I did read it wasn't powerful enough too though.

I can see this being difficult and I definitely don't want to piss about buying the wrong one etc. Will just have to try some I suppose.

 

[russ abbott - royds broth]

Class A can work - I had a Sugden Masterclass and it was pretty good. Pioneer A-09 even better.

Maybe the pm4 was struggling power wise.

I really thought it would have been a good match.

- - - Updated - - -

:^ I'd probably never tell if it was a mismatch or not knowing my ability to describe what I hear. - - - Updated - - -

I tried his demo A30 with my Dalis. Didn't drive them as well as the 909 but that was to be expected. Sounded nice though!. I did read it wasn't powerful enough too though.

I can see this being difficult and I definitely don't want to piss about buying the wrong one etc. Will just have to try some I suppose.

Have an amp bake off,or you can bring them here and we can get some amps over.

 

[atomheartmother]

shaun ive still got an aria 12 power amp lying round you more than welcome to try it if you sort a pre.

 

[meninblack]

Don't get hung up on power figures. The Audion 300B monos (18 wpc) sounded a LOT better than a 200 wpc solid-state amp. Even at high volumes. The Tannoys like quality.

 

[AGrail]

Being something of a Tannoy mothball lover I don't know too much about the Turnbury's - I can say the Puresound 2A3 did work rather well and provided the missing grip for my Reds. I would suggest speaking with Guy about a home demo. The Turnburys may however need a little more oommph.

 

[kernow]

Yeah. I'm in no rush so maybe I'll hoof them along to a bakeoff or something one day. Or have one here. Can't fit many in my room though.

 

[awkwardbydesign]

If you don't think 18w SETs would work, how about 95w PP? By a strange coincidence I am selling both! :shock:

 

[kernow]

There's a Ming da ban in this house I'm afraid

 

[Badchilli]

A J.Wood kt88 intergreated would be a great choice. Superb sound with all music types, being a dance music hiphop fan it has that bass grunt you want. You should be able to get one new for the upper limit of your budget.

If you were closer you could of heard mine in your system.

 

[pgarrish]

Robins radford sounded great with stirlings last week. I use 18w el34 pp with Cheviots which works well. Stewartwen is flogging a pair of art audio monos that could be worth a look, but the radford was very nice. No trouble on dance music that I've heard.....