Dennis Had Inspire Amps

[pstrisik]

Is it permissible to discuss these amps in this section? Dennis is the man behind most, if not all, of the Cary tube products.

He is building single ended 12watt stereo power amps at reasonable prices. I'm seriously considering one:

He just released this one with KT150 tubes!

[Masterlu]

Sure!

But we don't post links to eBay, sorry.

[pstrisik]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Sure!

But we don't post links to eBay, sorry.

Ok, sorry. And thanks for removing it for me. I'll only mention though, that eBay is currently the only way to order them (new) and directly from Dennis. Easy to find there if anyone is so inclined.

I'm particularly intriqued by his use of the KT150, the brand new TungSol "buck rogers" tube. In corresponding with him, he detailed some differences between the KT120 and the KT150/KT88 which he favors. Mostly about hard vs. soft clipping and more that was above my head!

In conrad-johnson forum discussions, there was wondering and speculation about whether the KT150 could be a drop in replacement for the KT120/6550 that CJ most often uses these days. I asked Dennis about the tube swaps possible with his amps and the following are possible with varying resulting output power, no need for biasing at all, only sometimes the need to change the rectifier tube to go with the chosen power tube:

• 5 watts per channel - 6V6 output tubes and 5Y3 rectifier tube
• 7 watts per channel - 6L6, KT66, 5881 output and 5U4 rectifier
• 10 watts output - KT88, EL34, 6550, KT99, and KT120 output and 5U4/274B rectifier
• 12 watts output - KT-88, KT-120, KT-150 and 5AR4 rectifier

[Jwhcfi]

Peter,
Love the amp. I've always wanted to try a SET tube amp but I own Vandersteens and they are only 85 db efficient. I emailed Dennis and he thinks the KT150s will drive the Treos but I'm struggling to see how 12 watts can do it. I'm still tempted and may go for it just to prove it one way or the other. Keep us posted on your progress.

[pstrisik]

Originally Posted by Jwhcfi

Peter,
Love the amp. I've always wanted to try a SET tube amp but I own Vandersteens and they are only 85 db efficient. I emailed Dennis and he thinks the KT150s will drive the Treos but I'm struggling to see how 12 watts can do it. I'm still tempted and may go for it just to prove it one way or the other. Keep us posted on your progress.

I will. I ordered one - in Jaguar Carnival Red . He's making them to order at this point. So, it will be a couple of weeks, at least, until shipping. There's nothing but skepticism all around. I'm getting doubts in the AR forum at ClassicSpeakersPages.net as well. My AR 2ax speakers are about 87db, though 8 ohms which helps. Even if there's not enough for higher volumes, if I can get sound that wows me at lower volumes, I will either go the way of finding or building 93db+ speakers or finding some Cary CAD508AE monoblocs for that single ended design of Dennis' with clearly enough power.

Fun exploration in any case!

[mulveling]

Originally Posted by pstrisik

I will. I ordered one - in Jaguar Carnival Red . He's making them to order at this point. So, it will be a couple of weeks, at least, until shipping. There's nothing but skepticism all around. I'm getting doubts in the AR forum at ClassicSpeakersPages.net as well. My AR 2ax speakers are about 87db, though 8 ohms which helps. Even if there's not enough for higher volumes, if I can get sound that wows me at lower volumes, I will either go the way of finding or building 93db+ speakers or finding some Cary CAD508AE monoblocs for that single ended design of Dennis' with clearly enough power.

Fun exploration in any case!

As always, it depends on your room setup and listening habits. I found my lower power limit to be 25 Watts/ch into 93dB/Watt 8 ohm speakers, but then I like to listen quite loud and my room is not terribly small. Those 25 Watt tube amps sounded incredibly sweet, too.

I think classical music at anything beyond low levels probably won't work great with 87dB/Watt and 12 Watts -- but other music (with a greatly reduced crest factor, like most pop/rock) might be just fine at moderate levels or even a bit beyond. Anyways, that amp with single ended KT150 and a 6H30pi driver looks like fun! I love my gear stocked with KT120 and 6H30pi, and I bet the KT150 is indeed better.

[longbowbbs]

Originally Posted by Jwhcfi

Peter,
Love the amp. I've always wanted to try a SET tube amp but I own Vandersteens and they are only 85 db efficient. I emailed Dennis and he thinks the KT150s will drive the Treos but I'm struggling to see how 12 watts can do it. I'm still tempted and may go for it just to prove it one way or the other. Keep us posted on your progress.

No way 15 watts is adequate for the Vandy's. You will get sound, but not the satisfying low end that could be achieved with proper amping. I love SET's and a great OTL amp sound, but you will want a speaker in the 96db or better to wring the full measure from a low power amp.

[Jwhcfi]

Originally Posted by longbowbbs

No way 15 watts is adequate for the Vandy's. You will get sound, but not the satisfying low end that could be achieved with proper amping. I love SET's and a great OTL amp sound, but you will want a speaker in the 96db or better to wring the full measure from a low power amp.

I can't disagree, however, Dennis was adamant that it would be a great pairing. He also said a good friend who is a Vandersteen dealer remarked that the KT-150 amp would be a good match. I know, it defies everything I "know" about audio. I'm still curious though.

[Mikado463]

Originally Posted by longbowbbs

No way 15 watts is adequate for the Vandy's. You will get sound, but not the satisfying low end that could be achieved with proper amping. I love SET's and a great OTL amp sound, but you will want a speaker in the 96db or better to wring the full measure from a low power amp.

I bet they would 'sing' on my son's mighty Zu set up !

[longbowbbs]

Originally Posted by Jwhcfi

Peter,
Love the amp. I've always wanted to try a SET tube amp but I own Vandersteens and they are only 85 db efficient. I emailed Dennis and he thinks the KT150s will drive the Treos but I'm struggling to see how 12 watts can do it. I'm still tempted and may go for it just to prove it one way or the other. Keep us posted on your progress.

Ah, a Treo owner! That is next on the acquisition list!