Solidstate suggestions appreciated

[Nav.B]

If all things go well with my turntable build and upcoming move, I plan on getting a beepre within the next 12 months (aiming for a somewhat congruous arrangement - same type of chassis and knobs and hopefully top-plate as my TT).
However, as I am currently using an integrated amplifier I would have to acquire a power amp as well.

I'm looking to drive a pair of revox symbol b(4 Ohm if that makes a difference) and would prefer 80 to 180 watts per channel. All I really know is to look for something that has between 10 to 20 times higher input impedance compared to the output of the beepre.

If I have anything wrong please correct me. And I'd be happy if anyone here has any suggestions off their head within a $2k range used or new.

[Paul Birkeland]

Yes, a power amp with a 10K or greater input impedance would be a good idea.

It's tough to tell, but it might be worth borrowing a lower powered tube amp to see how these respond.  There isn't much technical information online about them, but they may perform very well with 300B's if your listening room is reasonable and the source material is not overly demanding.

-PB

[adamct]

If you want to stick with the DIY theme and get a top-class amp from a respected designer, check out Ti Kan's Beta 24: http://www.amb.org/audio/beta24/

His documentation is excellent. Not at the Bottlehead level, of course, but still good. And dealing with solid state is still fun, although different from point-to-point tube wiring.

Best regards,
Adam

[Nav.B]

Thanks for the quick replies. My current tube amp puts out about 30watts and I would say that it is ok for about half the time (very quick, non-scientific guesstimate) I just tend to get nervous about clipping, even though I don't think I ever clipped a speaker yet. To be honest I'd think that an amp rated at 50w would be enough for me, but I would like to have the possibility to use really inefficient speakers.

Thanks for the amb.org link for some reason I hadn't considered a diy poweramp

[Doc B.]

Tube amp clipping is soft and it is very unlikely that a 30W tube amp could hurt your speaker if it is rated for 180 watts.

[matthewmckay]

Hey,  this should be near the top of your list.  Hugh Dean's amplifiers are amazing.

http://aksaonline.com/products/products_NAKSA100.html

I have the NAKSA 70 (now discontinued) and it is every bit as musically satisfying as the Mcintosh MC7200 it replaced (only sold it because I needed the money...(pocketed a thousand dollars after switching to the Aspen)  the mac had a very smooth and satisfying sound with a boutique'd quickie in front of it, but now that I changed over to the aspen amplifier, I want for nothing... 'cept maybe an eros.

[Grainger49]

NAV...

What is most important is speaker efficiency.  That is, how efficiently do the speakers turn electrical energy into acoustic energy.  Today this is called sensitivity.  It is usually expressed like, "94dBW/M" which means at one watt the speakers produce 94dB at one meter.  That is efficient (sensitive)! 

Look at FAQ #8.