Selecting a Thomas Mayer amp for horns

[Germanboxers]

Hello,

I am looking to leverage the vast collective knowledge of WBF members to help me select a Thomas Mayer amp for my Avantgarde Duo MezzoXD speakers. I have been in contact with Thomas (btw, he is incredibly responsive and helpful...another reason beyond his beautiful work to appreciate the products he creates) and I think I have narrowed down to 3 options (in no order, all tower, 2 chassis mono amps):
1.) 45 drives 45
2.) 10Y drives 45
3.) 801A drives 300B

I would be connecting the amps via XLR (600 ohm input impedance for Thomas' amps) from my MSB Reference DAC with preamp module and Femto 77 clock. The output impedance of the DAC is 150 ohms and output voltage is 3.57Vrms maximum which should be more than sufficient to drive the low input impedance of the amps. Input sensitivity should be sufficient, even with the 45 drives 45 since Thomas uses the full output voltage from balanced sources, rather than 1/2 like is often the case.

Do any of you have experience with these amps? Any comments regarding your experiences or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I've linked Thomas' blog on the The Sound of the Tube here to get his reluctantly given short take on the sound of these three combinations. They are helpful to a point, but could use perspective from other listeners as well.

Thanks,

Jordan

 

[bonzo75]

This is zerostargeneral's system. Lots of experience with the Mayer and in his system the 46 is the best

http://zero-distortion.org/pnoe-horns-with-aer-bd4-5-drivers-vygerthomas-mayer/

 

[Germanboxers]

Thanks Kedar. I have read this blog of yours in the recent past. I have decided against including the 46 in my choices, primarily so as to not be limited in those rare occasions I want to really "jam". I think ZeroStarGeneral's speakers were in the 120dB/W sensitivty whereas mine are around 107dB/W.

Have you heard the 45 drives 45 combo? By my reading of Thomas' description of the sound of this combo, I'm slightly concerned that tone would limit microdynamic shading, resolution, and impact. Is that a fair concern relative in general or just in relation to the 10Y drives 45?

 

[bonzo75]

I wouldn't know that. I have heard NOS globe 10ys vs the Elrog and the difference is quite huge among what brand you use itself.

 

[Germanboxers]

Did you prefer the NOS globe 10y's over the 801A Elrogs?

 

[bonzo75]

Did you prefer the NOS globe 10y's over the 801A Elrogs?

Much more