Opinions - best Valve amp for 1000 GBP?

My old amp has sadly died a death, I need to buy a new one but am out of touch with current models.

Here is my criteria

Must be new, no second hand.

Present set up
Michell Gyro SE, SME 309, MC Cart.
Project tube box phono stage
Micromega 3 CD player
Triangle Antal speakers rated at 94 dB sensitivity
My main focus is vinyl but I do play a few CDs!

I would prefer to audition a new amp and I live on the German/Dutch border, so any recommendations for dealers appreciated.

I have read up on the Dutch Prima Luna range and they look good. Are all amps of around 40 watts per channel taking 300 watts power? Seems a lot.

 

for me Puresound A30 without any doubt

 

Decware would be my recommendation - import only from the US so no audition I'm afraid, but you'll get plenty of change out of 1k with the EUR to USD rate as it is.

http://www.decware.com/newsite/mainmenu.htm

They are low power (2w or 6w depending on model and configuration) but you have fairly efficient speakers so it might work. What you lose in power you gain in simplicity of design and implementation which in turn translates to a wonderfully direct and dynamic performance.

I run one of these amps (the SE84ZS) and it does some things as well as any amp I've heard at any price.

 

Hi Alabama.

With 94db speakers (if that's genuine) you could run a 300B amp.

I rate DIY Hifi supply 'lady day' monoblocks, also what I personally own, www.hificollective.co.uk 300B integrated (dual mono).

The Prima Luna, or a Puresound would be good bets if you see yourself with less sensitive speakers in the future.

All IMHO.

 

I've heard both the Prima Lunas amd Pure sound. Both made great sounds. The PLs driving Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor Ms were terrific. Sounded better to me than the Krell Evo system next door at the Heathrow show last year. I can't remember what the Puresound was driving think it was Focals (not at Heathrow) but do remember thinking the system sounded particularly good for a very modest price £1k CDP and prob only half that for the speakers.

 

Ooops slight mistake - 91 dB

Sorry the Antals are rated at 91 dB.

I auditioned 5 sets of speakers at home before settling on them. The sound is just great and one would have to spend a whole lot more to better them.

Here is some more info if anyone is interested...

http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/todd24.htm

 

Puresound A30 by a country mile. It is a fabulous amp.

 

prima luna -

every time I hear the puresound i get bored after 5 mins

 

I think that very much depends on what kind of sound you're after. IME (and i've heard both countless times) the Puresound is more neutral. The KT88 Prologue Two has similar attributes, the EL34 (Prologue One) sounds obviously more rose-tinted. Very nice but coloured.

 

[QUOTE

every time I hear the puresound i get bored after 5 mins[/QUOTE]

I find that amazing,its different too the Prima but boring ?

 

I would also recommend the 300b from hifi collective,great amp without a doubt one of the best I have owned at any price.

 

Hi Colin

What speakers have you tried yours with?

I've tried Audionote E's, Living Voice Avatars, and now I'm using them for mid-duties on a less sensitive speaker.

Have you tried them with something around the 90-91db mark?

 

Well following all the advice on an earlier posting I tried out LV and e's plus a few others but settled on Audiophysics sparks which I am really enjoying, although I am thinking of building a monoblock kit to go with them although I fancy some BEL cANTO MONOS. nOT SURE BUT i MAY STILL KEEP THE 300B.i HAVE a feeling that if I let it go I will regret it.

 

Another vote for the Glasshouse 300b here=)
I've used mine with IPL s3's for a couple of years, and for the last few days some Yamaha NS1000m's.

 

PrimaLuna , and maybe roll the stock valves at some time in the future.

 

quote

have a look at ICOM amps,
nando

 

I think Nando means 'Icon' (unless he's into shortwave radio kit). If so, this is good advice. I went for WAD (now World Designs) in the end. Industrial looks but sounds fab. Only <£1K in kit form though, so probably of less interest.

 

icon is what i ment, sorry about the "M"
nando

 

i know these speakers, heard wavac 572 with them and it sounded horrible for my ears.

i think they need lots of grunt to be awaken, so something like audio research VS-55i or similar UL PP amp of min 2x50w would be my first choice.

second, i wouldn't run from hybrids like unison research or pathos.

in any case you won't hear any benefits from using a SET with these. thick, slow, plastic membranes just can't cut it....