Puresound A30 what have you upgraded to?

[bernie1]

Hi all, I'm interested in knowing if you used to have a Puresound A30 what did you upgrade to.
Reason I'm asking is that I'd like to upgrade from my one, don't get me wrong, it sounds brilliant in my system, but it's that time again....
I quite fancy the looks and simplicity of the Almarro, or maybe a Mastersound, but what I don't want is to move on an amp which has been really reliable (I play it all day every day) for something which would be a backward step, so the floor is now yours!
Bernie

[hifi_dave]

I have sold quite a few Puresound A30 amplifiers and can confirm that they are very good and reliable, plus the distributor is super efficient if things ever go wrong. You need to bear that in mind if you change, as backup for a valve amp is very important. I have no idea about the amps you mention as distribution in the UK is pretty well non existent.

[The Black Adder]

I had mine upgraded first to use KT120's with stonking results. Previous to that is was converted purely to serve as a power amp.

The A30 is a lovely thing, it just needs refining with a better PSU for starters. Border Patrol do one which is supposed to be very good.

I had mine re-worked with Anthony of Tube Distinctions and it was simply stunning. He made the PSU external and the iron was huge, it also used two chokes.

I sold that to Neil (Volante) and I upgraded to a Copper Amp.

[Spectral Morn]

Really need to know what speakers you have, what sources and cabling. How big is the room, do you have carpet, is the room well damped - book cases, drapes, curtains etc or echo prone.

[bernie1]

Sorry Black Adder, been away to the land where the internet doesn't work (Brittany Ferries!),That was very useful to know.

currently, I'm more interested in everyone elses amp upgrades as the price bracket (around 2 - 3K new) is flooded with amps, Icon Audio, Almarro, Prima Luna, etc, and I'm quite keen on an upgrade, but was looking for everyone's thoughts, did you go, for example, another integrated like an EAR or Quad, let me know!

[The Black Adder]

Hi Bernie.

Here is a pic of my A30 which was upgraded to the hilt by AnthonyTD.

http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/Tannoyista%20System/DSC08455.jpg

This is what I went with a Tube Distinctions Copper amp:

http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/Tannoyista%20System/Tannoyista%20system%20update%202015/DSC00961.jpg

For 2-3k you have a very nice choice and you can most definitely better the A30 in stock form.

Thanks
Josie

[Ali Tait]

Sorry Black Adder, been away to the land where the internet doesn't work (Brittany Ferries!),That was very useful to know.

currently, I'm more interested in everyone elses amp upgrades as the price bracket (around 2 - 3K new) is flooded with amps, Icon Audio, Almarro, Prima Luna, etc, and I'm quite keen on an upgrade, but was looking for everyone's thoughts, did you go, for example, another integrated like an EAR or Quad, let me know!

With that kind of budget, I'd be having a word with Nick (Lurcher) of Longdog Audio to have a bespoke amp built.

[Spectral Morn]

Sorry Black Adder, been away to the land where the internet doesn't work (Brittany Ferries!),That was very useful to know.

currently, I'm more interested in everyone elses amp upgrades as the price bracket (around 2 - 3K new) is flooded with amps, Icon Audio, Almarro, Prima Luna, etc, and I'm quite keen on an upgrade, but was looking for everyone's thoughts, did you go, for example, another integrated like an EAR or Quad, let me know!

Bernie with respect others amp choices are based on their systems, rooms, music and without sharing your set up none of us can offer any advice, what we did do didn't do is useless without context and the context of your set up is missing. You also should do some listening too, in your set up, how an amp works in a system or doesn't is not really something that can be guessed at, my experience.

[bernie1]

Hi Neil, I'll post some pics tomorrow
Regards Bernie

[bernie1]

Hi Josie,
Thanks for all the info, your modded A30 looks the business, great pics btw!
Thanks,
Bernie

[pure sound]

If you are using decent speakers, the 2A3 is a fairly significant upgrade.

[Spectral Morn]

Hi Neil, I'll post some pics tomorrow
Regards Bernie

No worries Bernie, context is everything and the quality of responses will be more useful with that missing info.

[bernie1]

Here's the system photos

Amp is Puresound A30 with Tungsol SLN7 & SLS7 Preamp valves playing in triode mode
The record deck (You guessed it!) is a Garrard 401 with SME 3009 and a Grado cheapie
Phono Stage is a Graham Slee Elevator
Streaming set up is a Cambridge Audio NP30 through VDH Digital interconnect into a Rega Dac from a Synology Ds212 NAS
Speakers are Vienna Acoustic Haydn Grand on Partington Dreadnought stands
Cabling is Mark Grant & MCRU power, Musicworks Megablock, all nicely stashed away in the lower cupboard, Mark Grant G2000HD and Missing Link (Too Short that's why the Dac is sideways!) and Talk3 Speaker cables with WSBT connectors



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