This year, I've heard the Unison Research S6 on three speakers: my AN-Es, the Odeon 28, and the Cube Audio Nenuphar.
I really enjoy the sound of this amp. In addition to being organic and natural-sounding (very nuanced on vocals), it has a 'propulsiveness' to it that brings musicians out into the room in a soundfield that is wonderfully layered. It really does draw me into the performance and provide an immersive listening experience (when the recording allows).
Unfortunately it is an integrated and I have a linestage. I could have my technician modify the unit to be a power amp, however.
I'm just curious as to what else is out there in EL34 amps that can be run in triode for about 30 watts. I have no interest in pentode or amps that parallel lots of tubes for huge power.
Like several of the other guys, I have an Ars Sonum Filarmonia driving late model (the ones before Black Magic) Merlin TSM speakers. I've also swapped in the far more inexpensive Klipsch RP-600M monitors which sound remarkable with this amp.
This year, I've heard the Unison Research S6 on three speakers: my AN-Es, the Odeon 28, and the Cube Audio Nenuphar.
I really enjoy the sound of this amp. In addition to being organic and natural-sounding (very nuanced on vocals), it has a 'propulsiveness' to it that brings musicians out into the room in a soundfield that is wonderfully layered. It really does draw me into the performance and provide an immersive listening experience (when the recording allows).
Unfortunately it is an integrated and I have a linestage. I could have my technician modify the unit to be a power amp, however.
I'm just curious as to what else is out there in EL34 amps that can be run in triode for about 30 watts. I have no interest in pentode or amps that parallel lots of tubes for huge power.
Air Tight ATM1 and ATM3. I have the last for more than 20 years and still happy. I know both very well and I compared them to many. I still find them fantastic for sound and reliability.
Air Tight ATM1 and ATM3. I have the last for more than 20 years and still happy. I know both very well and I compared them to many. I still find them fantastic for sound and reliability.
I compared the new airtight el34 to their integrated 300b on Cessaro Wagner and devore Orangutan. With the Wagner the el34 gave it more life as the Wagner needed that power. On devore the 300b which is only 10w was much superior.
I have also compared the Kondo el34 on devore. Did not like.
EL84 is a much more lyrical tube though you lose a bit of bass so you need to match properly. The cube EL84 from Poland sound nice on the horns Universum
So far, the one and only EL34 based amplifier I listened to "transfixed", in fact was an integrated amplifier, the Kondo Overture - simply marvellous!
Going for around 25 grand in $AUD, I was bit hesitant to engage in that kind of expenditure for just 32 watts. Then again as I used it for a short while on my previous Quads ESL2905's, I realised this is no ordinary 32w integrated, rather this is a pure Class A design, and when you look inside, the multiple transformers and ultra-highend quality parts throughout, OK now I understand why the 20 grand and over tag...
Anyway, it was the most beautiful one month experience of a pure class A integrated I ever had driving the Quads at their finest, and when it was rightfully returned to the owner, after an overseas stint, I was indeed very sad. Until! I managed to get the CJ CAV45 EL34 based and another integrated! Oh my! For a fraction of that cost (Kondo Overture) and no pure Class A or anything, just 45w of pure AB push-pull design in pentode mode, it was the most enjoyable amplifier I've ever used to date! The level of musicality was unsurpassed.
Fast fwd to 2019, now this is a very different system, and no more EL34's but the superb musicality of CJ amplification with the CLX's continues...
This year, I've heard the Unison Research S6 on three speakers: my AN-Es, the Odeon 28, and the Cube Audio Nenuphar.
I really enjoy the sound of this amp. In addition to being organic and natural-sounding (very nuanced on vocals), it has a 'propulsiveness' to it that brings musicians out into the room in a soundfield that is wonderfully layered. It really does draw me into the performance and provide an immersive listening experience (when the recording allows).
Unfortunately it is an integrated and I have a linestage. I could have my technician modify the unit to be a power amp, however.
I'm just curious as to what else is out there in EL34 amps that can be run in triode for about 30 watts. I have no interest in pentode or amps that parallel lots of tubes for huge power.
One more listening note: with the EL34 amp it's as if listening is done with the whole body. Switching back to my lower-powered 45, I feel that I'm only listening from the neck up; it's more cerebral and less tactile. Which amp would I prefer on >100dB speakers? I have no idea.
