Tube amps with TAD CR-1's ? Recommendations ?

joeinid

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Mar 14, 2011
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Is any one using tube amps with their TAD speakers? I am actually thinking about trying Conrad Johnson ART amps, either the ARTsa stereo or ART monos. I have to believe that combo will be wonderful. Thoughts?
 

LL21

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Dec 26, 2010
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Go for it! Bet either are great...with TADs which can take and use the extra power...monos possibly even better??
 

joeinid

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Mar 14, 2011
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Lloyd,

I'm thinking hard. I am just waiting for a few emails. :)
 

Alexis

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Mar 3, 2013
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I can only suggest you:
Viva Audio Amps..
Marriage in the heaven.
Breathtaking...
 

LL21

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Duke LeJeune

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I probably wouldn't recommend a tube amp for the TAD CR-1. Its impedance curve averages about 8 ohms north of 400 Hz, and about 4 ohms south of 400 Hz. Most tube amps will sound a little weak south of 400 Hz on that speaker. Yeah I know that's probably counter-intuitive, but that's my take based on looking at the impedance curve and frequency response curve and taking into account that it's a stand-mount speaker.

That being said, low stands and/or placement near the wall would help out down there, so maybe with a little extra boundary reinforcement tube amps would work well. In that case, I'd probably lean towards push-pull tube amps over specialty tube amps (SET or OTL), at least from a frequency response standpoint.
 
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MylesBAstor

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David

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Is any one using tube amps with their TAD speakers? I am actually thinking about trying Conrad Johnson ART amps, either the ARTsa stereo or ART monos. I have to believe that combo will be wonderful. Thoughts?
You should listen with Doshi Audio setup ... great combination.
 

joeinid

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Mar 14, 2011
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You should listen with Doshi Audio setup ... great combination.

I’m sure the Doshi are wonderful. I tried just about everything (and I mean everything) on my CR-1 but had to move on after about 2 years. Everything was great in its own way, but I could not shake the forwardness of the treble of my TADs. It was just too in my face for me and seemed a couple of dB more pronounced than everything else. It was almost painful to me with some volume. But they were terrific late night or low volume level listening speakers.
 
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LL21

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I’m sure the Doshi are wonderful. I tried just about everything (and I mean everything) on my CR-1 but had to move on after about 2 years. Everything was great in its own way, but I could not shake the forwardness of the treble of my TADs. It was just too in my face for me and seemed a couple of dB more pronounced than everything else. It was almost painful to me with some volume. But they were terrific late night or low volume level listening speakers.

Hey Joe, Happy New Year. Been a while...I have lost track of your system. What is it these days? I looked up your profile where the system part says "see signature". Would be great to hear how your system has evolved!
 

knghifi

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Dec 6, 2014
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View attachment 46545 I have the TAD ME1 and find they sound much better with solid state than with tubes. Much more dynamic and alive and I am fan of tubes.

I'm driving my TAD E1 with ARC REF250SE. In the summer, I was using Hegel H30. Once I found a good matching PC on the Hegel, it was more different than one is much better than the other. If I had to choose, I did choose .... sold Hegel, I prefer ARC with superior timbre and more organic.

I'm back in the market for a SS amp again to use in summer. At this moment Agostino and Soulution are tops on the list.
 

joeinid

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Mar 14, 2011
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NY
Hey Joe, Happy New Year. Been a while...I have lost track of your system. What is it these days? I looked up your profile where the system part says "see signature". Would be great to hear how your system has evolved!

Hi Lloyd,

Yes it’s been a while. I have Avantgarde Duo XD now and a variety of amps. I’m ecstatic with these speakers. Absolutely wonderful.
 
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LL21

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Congrats...which amps work well with those amps?
 

LL21

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Very nice! Have heard good things about First Watt.
 

olivier

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Nov 27, 2016
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It´s been a while since last post, but i d´like to share my bi-amping experience:

Driving Mids and Treble of
TAD CR1s with
New Audio Frontiers 845 SE
and bottom end with TAD 2500 MK II

really shines and delivers tight and fast bass at the same time.
As the CR1 crosses at about 300hz with a high slope there is only a small overlap
All the best
Olivier
 
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knghifi

Well-Known Member
Dec 6, 2014
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While SS amp shopping for my TAD E1, ended picking up a pair of Convergent Audio Technology JL7. Still have the ARC REF250SE ... triode vs push pull, different sound and very enjoyable. Both high current amps should be able to drive new speakers when I upgrade .
 

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