Advice on tube amps

[Mikeandvan]

I have just acquired AN K loudspeakers and after giving them a rigorous sunday morning work out, they are really starting to charm me, a clear yet warm and open sound with jazz, very enjoyable. Now folks tell me I simply must use them with tubes, well I kind of do a little bit already, my pre amp is a Croft micro 25, power is Quad 909. So I need either a tube power to match the Croft or a tube integrated (my preferred choice). I have been told a type which takes EL34 valves is the most preferable. Please throw out a few suitable model names for me to go a searching......Budget - not much at the moment! Anything around £500 or less would be good, a bit more may'be…….So obviously used at that price!

[joolz]

Valvekraft - if you can find one. British built El34 based 25 watt integrated. Very good, I happily lived with one for a few years until the lure of 211/845 beckoned

[IHP]

Can't help thinking this is a bit of a bargain, above budget of course !!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PrimaLuna-ORIGINALS-ProLogue-Four-SILVER-NEW/372830630081?hash=item56ce6ff0c1:g:xIUAAOSwN2VZR-Sq

[Slawts]

Icon Audio do decent integrateds and you may pick up one used.

A shame you're not minted as the Icon Stereo 30 single ended would work a treat.

Also look out for World Audio Design or World Designs. They are very good DIY jobs and great value.

[Jimbo]

I think Firebottle is selling a Leak stereo 20 which would be perfect with the Croft and AN K speakers. I used this combo years ago and it is a great match.

[Bigman80]

I think Firebottle is selling a Leak stereo 20 which would be perfect with the Croft and AN K speakers. I used this combo years ago and it is a great match.Solid advice Jim.

[AJSki2fly]

I have just acquired AN K loudspeakers and after giving them a rigorous sunday morning work out, they are really starting to charm me, a clear yet warm and open sound with jazz, very enjoyable. Now folks tell me I simply must use them with tubes, well I kind of do a little bit already, my pre amp is a Croft micro 25, power is Quad 909. So I need either a tube power to match the Croft or a tube integrated (my preferred choice). I have been told a type which takes EL34 valves is the most preferable. Please throw out a few suitable model names for me to go a searching......Budget - not much at the moment! Anything around £500 or less would be good, a bit more may'be…….So obviously used at that price!

If you can find one at your price a Audio Innovations Series 500, I used to have one with Snell Types K's (virtually same as AN K's) and it sounded superb. You might struggle price wise but it would be worth it.

[IHP]

Contrary to the spirit of your post but I'll say it anyway - wait for a used Croft 7 to appear. Sonic bliss with your pre.

[Idlewithnodrive]

I think Firebottle is selling a Leak stereo 20 which would be perfect with the Croft and AN K speakers. I used this combo years ago and it is a great match.

This. For the money you are unikely to better this.

[Mikeandvan]

Thanks for the replies so far, will look into them, would prefer something more powerful than the Leak 20.

[loonytunes]

Thanks for the replies so far, will look into them, would prefer something more powerful than the Leak 20.

Then the Croft 7 power is all you need to think about with that Croft pre of yours - powerful, valves (with mosfet), unbeatable value. Have a word with Adrian from audioflair.co.uk

[Jimbo]

Then maybe the Croft 7 would be a good choice. I have used one for the last 5 years and I have been very happy with it. Transparent and will drive the AN speakers with ease. Interestingly I used to use the Croft 25 with a Quad 606 not unlike the 909 but much preferred the Series 7 power amp as the Quad stuff sounded slow and heavy by comparison.

[montesquieu]

duplicate post

[montesquieu]

Funnily enought the best thing I ever heard a pair of AN-Es running with was a home-made 40-watt Gainclone with an insanely OTT double mono power supply - same would apply to Ks I suspect.

If it were me I'd be looking in that sort of area, alternately one of the Pass / First Watt amplifiers. Or with valves I'd be tempted by to try something single ended like an AN Oto SE or some sort of single ended power amp, perhaps 300b or even 2A3-based.

[User211]

The worst I have ever heard a pair of An/Es sound is with a Gainclone copy.

Really. It was not good.

Must have been a crap copy. Who knows.

Not having a dig Tom it is just the truth as far as I heard it. Long time ago but the memory is clear.

I'd try the Leak on the budget.

[montesquieu]

The worst I have ever heard a pair of An/Es sound is with a Gainclone copy.

Really. It was not good.

Must have been a crap copy. Who knows.

Not having a dig Tom it is just the truth as far as I heard it. Long time ago but the memory is clear.

I'd try the Leak on the budget.

This was a long way from a $10 board off eBay and the guy who built it also built the rather excellent Phasure DAC that was the only source on this system, so he knew what he was doing.

[anthonyTD]

Stereo 20 is a good amp, even by today's standard! :)
A...

[Jimbo]

Stereo 20 is a good amp, even by today's standard! :)
A...

I wish i had not sold mine as it had a lovely sound and worked well with efficient speakers.

[Lawrence001]

There are some good cheap Chinese valve amps out there amongst the not so good. Yarland, Mistral, and most Yaqin to name a few.

Sent from my POT-LX1 using Tapatalk

[Mikeandvan]

There are some good cheap Chinese valve amps out there amongst the not so good. Yarland, Mistral, and most Yaqin to name a few.

Sent from my POT-LX1 using Tapatalk

Yeh I was thinking that, will look into it. Just had a look on Ebay, can't believe how cheap they are, loads of Yaqin ones, but like £500 for a huge tube amp, are these really any good?

[Firebottle]

You have to be careful with Chinese amps that are rated at 220V mains.
With out typical 245V mains they are over stressed a lot.

[Mikeandvan]

You have to be careful with Chinese amps that are rated at 220V mains.
With out typical 245V mains they are over stressed a lot.

My AG500 puts out a steady 230v.

[anthonyTD]

Indeed, some of the 220v stuff i have had in over the years needed even less than 220v [around 207v] to make all voltages correct on the boards!
You have to be careful with Chinese amps that are rated at 220V mains.
With out typical 245V mains they are over stressed a lot.

[anubisgrau]

This was a long way from a $10 board off eBay and the guy who built it also built the rather excellent Phasure DAC that was the only source on this system, so he knew what he was doing.

Phasure DAC? The power amp used by the Phasure designer is actually gain-clone based but simply executed to perfection (BD Design, BD-Amp - Oris Swing - the same DNA), so for sure he knew what he was doing.

[Bourney]

My experience with Ks, they haven't liked any if the el84 amps I've used with them and also never really worked at baje offs with el84 amps. The croft power amps arent as good as the pre amps..I think they'll sound a bit reedy and sharp with the Ks. Hold out for a prima Luna or AI500. An audion sterling would sound nice but I doubt it would do rock.

[Mikeandvan]

My experience with Ks, they haven't liked any if the el84 amps I've used with them and also never really worked at baje offs with el84 amps. The croft power amps arent as good as the pre amps..I think they'll sound a bit reedy and sharp with the Ks. Hold out for a prima Luna or AI500. An audion sterling would sound nice but I doubt it would do rock.
Any specific Prima Luna?

[Bourney]

I just used a prologue 1, it was a good match. Around 40w a side, so meaty and bold sounding.

[jahsavage]

All the suggestions are fine, I loved the Audio Innovation S 500 but mine overheated and blew up, the Icon Audio amps are solid, well made and reliable. I've also heard the Audio Note OTO making nice sounds with your speakers, gather your money and throw the dice!

[Firebottle]

Doesn't the OTO use EL84 equivalents?

[Lawrence001]

You have to be careful with Chinese amps that are rated at 220V mains.
With out typical 245V mains they are over stressed a lot.You can get bucking transformers to deal with this of course.

Sent from my POT-LX1 using Tapatalk

[Bourney]

The oto uses 84s I believe. Having owned a pp and SE version, I wouldn't match the pp version with ks. The SE version would be ok i reckon as it's tidier and smoother overall. I also tried a leben CS300 with ks more than once - it wasn't a good match

[Mikeandvan]

Solid advice Jim.

lol