I've got the bug to upgrade/sell off some of my stuff and buy a class a amp for the Altecs. Anyone here use anything like that? Was thinking maybe first watt, pass aleph 30 or maybe pioneer m22. The pioneer is getting old so I have reservations about it but I have always wanted one. The Marantz 2238 sounds very good but like I said I've got the bug. Don't really think of my self as a tube guy though I have a fisher intergrated I prefer the marantz.
Bob
Last edited by Altec Best; January 13th, 2013 at 08:13 PM. Reason: OT title Adjustment
You can never go wrong with Class A as long as it has enough dynamic headroom, but whether to have a high output impedance [and how much] will depend on the speaker system's effective Qt [sysQ], i.e. the total resistance the amp 'feels', so usually best overall to have a low output impedance with variable DF bass, treble tone controls to increase it as desired.
Not knowing what's available these days, such [integrated] amps, receivers may only be vintage units and/or VERY pricey. I could have bought a used Aston Martin or Ferrari for what a dealer wanted for the last ‘powerful’ integrated Class A amp I auditioned some years ago.
GM
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i bought a used adcom gfa 5800... class a for the first 20 watts. like i said , it was used. got it home, hooked it all up, and all it did was get real hot. another something i havent got around too yet. getting to the point i'll need mores shelves. i figure i'll have plenty of projects if i ever get the chance to retire.
"those sounds to which no definite pitch can be assigned are usually classified as noise"<br />harvey fletcher-1928
I'm of the ilk that Altecs were just made for SET tube amps, or better yet, OTL amplifiers. High efficiency speakers and low power, liquid-like amplifiers. A match made in sonic heaven.
I'm currently using a 15W/ch, class AB OTL and the sound is nothing short of glorious. Son of Beast OTL Tube Amp
Class A amps at the foot of the bed will keep your feet warm in winter almost as well as tubes do.
Your neighbors called. They like your music.
I am with you all the way. I have tried various amps, some of them I borrowed from my friend close by (Plinius, Monarchy Audio SM70, Threshold S150/S250, Odyssey Stereo/mono, Mark Levinson,Pass Labs 250, Krell, and quite several PP, PWM, Chip Amps).Originally Posted by alancohen
For me, the three amps that really shine driving my Altecs are the ff:
1.) JE Labs 2A3DX
2.) Tubelab Simple SE (triode strapped pentode)
3.)TubeLab 300B SE
Attachment 1727
Attachment 1728
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