Suggestions on type of amp

[Wayne Carson]

I need suggestions on what type and brand of amp would be best suited to run my Klipsch Belle speakers. Any and all suggestions would be welcomed.

[Carl Reid]

Few quick questions:

1) Are you looking for just a power amp (you already have a pre-amp, and if so what brand) or are you looking for an integrated amp or maybe a stereo receiver?

2) What's your budget?

3) Are you looking for new/used?

From personal experience, I tend to like Rotel Amps.... neutral, clean and not too pricey... but I guess price is relative...

[Wayne Carson]

Right now I have them running through a Yamaha RX V992, but have been considering going to tube amp. I would like to stay in the price range of $3,000 or less, if possible. New but would consider used.

[dean_martin]

How about this for a nice tube integrated that would probably match up well with your Klipsch:

http://store.acousticsounds.com/brow...=9476&section=

FYI - there are several "types" of tube amplification, but the EL84 is supposed to be almost as sweet and transparent as the 300B, 845, etc. (ridiculously low output tubes) but with just as much power as EL34, KT88 or 90 based amps.

[basite]

or get yourself a nice tube preamp together with a solid state poweramp,

the klipsh's have a high efficiency, this means that you won't need too much power too drive them.
going from a yamaha to a tube amp (or a warm sounding ss amp) will be quite a difference, since the yammie plays really really bright, and a tube amp doesnt, it plays warm.

or an integrated tube amp (like dean_martin suggested, it's a really good one)

[tin ear]

How about this for a nice tube integrated that would probably match up well with your Klipsch:

http://store.acousticsounds.com/brow...=9476&section=

FYI - there are several "types" of tube amplification, but the EL84 is supposed to be almost as sweet and transparent as the 300B, 845, etc. (ridiculously low output tubes) but with just as much power as EL34, KT88 or 90 based amps.

Don't the EL84 have about half the output of the EL34?

[dean_martin]

Don't the EL84 have about half the output of the EL34?

Tin ear, you're probably right. I noticed the power rating for the Manley Stingray was the same as my EL34 based amp, but the Stingray has 8 power tubes and mine has 4. The point I wanted to make was that the EL84 seems like a good compromise between the sound of low powered SET amps and the power of EL34s and others. If I had a $2-3K budget for amplification, the Stingray would be on my short list.