Warm sounding Power amp

[Rob Tube]

Hi Guys, I am streaming music via usb, to a musical fidelity V90 dac, to a Nobsound ns-01P tube pre amp and then to a arcam Alpha 8 power amp.
I have the idea that my power amp is the weakest link, although my friend Chris (Lerxst) has a different system with a similar sound, we both have the Q Acoustics 2030 speakers.
I heard that some on this forum find the Arcam Alpha 8 Harsh, I don't have that idea but I think I am missing some oomph especially when you playing on a lower volume.
What would be a nice warm sounding budget power amp, All cabling are chord company interlink cables and speaker cables.

[wee tee cee]

behringer a500.

A big softie with lots of oomph for not too much dough!

[wee tee cee]

Some mark grant interconnects and van damme speaker wire may also help-chord stuff can be a bit up front.

[walpurgis]

Quad 303?

And I agree with Tony. Experimenting with cables can help.

[Lerxst]

Hi Rob,

Getting dissatified already?

I bet you had the same thought as I did when Tony mentioned cabling...

Chris

[Rob Tube]

Hi Chris, I was more thinking of replacing my power amp, I can sell the Arcam Alpha pre and power amp as a set, the pre amp hasn't been used since I have my little tube amp. For now I am only looking around, but the audio bug never stops, and I don't find the sound warm enough. so if someone is interested in a swap for a warm sounding poweramp with my Arcam set I will be interested.
I am very interested if that cable swap makes a big difference.

[hifinutt]

mmm never heard arcam described as harsh ever , heard a lovely arcam system recently and it was very natural . the owner has just upgraded higher up arcam tree , might be worth thinking about the integrated or the power amp . the chap is a really great guy

i also had several arcam products i.e p1 , c31 , a22 and they were never harsh

https://hifiwigwam.com/megastore/pro...m-a38-and-p38/

[Rob Tube]

I just read it somewhere, I don't find the sound harsh, bit I think the Alpha 8 is a bit of a lightweight for the system, they compared the Alpha 8 with the alpha 10, the alpha 8 is 50 watts and the Q Acoustics are 6 ohm, as budget Hifi enthusiast you always try to improve the system a bit.

[Lerxst]

Hi Rob,

I don't think you have a bad amp there and it is on the warm side of neutral I think. It is a bit under under-powered maybe (40 or 50 wpc?) but Your 3050s are 6 ohm speakers and quite easy to drive. Your Nobsound / Arcam combo is not going to be harsh, surely?

I saw you posted another article about usb cables.

Maybe have a look at a good usb cable from laptop to dac first? Your nice cable was eaten by the dog or something, right?

Just a thought

[Lerxst]

Crossed lines there. Great minds...