Dennis Had Inspire Amps

[Bombadil]

That is surprising that the Psvane would last less than a year. I've only had one 6SN7-type tube go bad, one that was made in the 1950s. I do switch them in and out.

[Musica Amantem]

Originally Posted by Bombadil

That is surprising that the Psvane would last less than a year. I've only had one 6SN7-type tube go bad, one that was made in the 1950s. I do switch them in and out.

Strange indeed. All three of my Psvanes have worked flawlessly, including a Sophia Electric 274-B (my preferred rectifier tube for smaller output tubes). I guess it is a matter of probabilities.

[decooney]

I'm really enjoying this KT150 Hot Rod amp after a few weeks, with only 60 hours break-in using speakers on loan from my other/large system.

Hoping to find a good matching set of (full sounding) speakers for it, if not, may need to re-sell it but I don't want to...Sounds very musical! Amazing. Unfortunately I don't have room for another set of large speakers and I'm really not a fan of lean / small sounding speakers. Catch-22.

Are there any mid-size "must have" vintage speakers worth finding/re-building as a great match for this little DH KT150 Hot Rod 10w amp?

[Musica Amantem]

This is only my opinion, based only on my research and hands-on experience. I've come from VTL 225 Deluxe PP amplification, to my current Decware SEP, and Inspire SET, and I'm convinced in the continuum between low power/high sensitivity speakers and full power /low sensitivity speakers there are many middle combinations which in the end do not satisfy completely.

One needs to decide at the outset which of the two best working extremes to aim at. The power-strong extreme is very expensive if you want quality sound. On the other hand, dealing with the low-power scheme may be very satisfying as well as affordable.

In every case, there are characteristics you have to accept, because of inherent laws of physics. I for one enjoy much more the current Inspire setup because it is a delightful sounding system without the excessive cost of, say, a full class A SS amp above 70 Watts and the corresponding sophisticated low sensitivity luxury speakers that would give credit to that amplification. Even with this top notch system, the mid-range of my Triode beats it, and only in powerful dynamic swings does the Class A rule. BTW, large PP tube amplification does not compete in dynamics with either the Class A SS or the Triode SET or SEP, and lacks the glory of the mid-range of the SET, OTBE.

Once you decide where you want to be, there are many ways of diminishing inherent drawbacks, unless you have all the money in the world! I prefer investing in the source and my system for example sounds pretty loud and clear at just half the step attenuator's dial in my LP-27a. The other half is for dynamic reserves. My speakers are nominally 98 dB at 8 Ohms, but probably lay between 95 and 96 in reality due to potentially difficult crossovers.

Whether you have floor-standing or monitor speakers, one or two subwoofers are a most (again, laws of physics).

My advice is to make up your mind about which of the two extremes you would like to be in, and work with the trade-offs involved. Just my $0.02.

[FloridaBoy]

Originally Posted by decooney

I'm really enjoying this KT150 Hot Rod amp after a few weeks, with only 60 hours break-in using speakers on loan from my other/large system.

Hoping to find a good matching set of (full sounding) speakers for it, if not, may need to re-sell it but I don't want to...Sounds very musical! Amazing. Unfortunately I don't have room for another set of large speakers and I'm really not a fan of lean / small sounding speakers. Catch-22.

Are there any mid-size "must have" vintage speakers worth finding/re-building as a great match for this little DH KT150 Hot Rod 10w amp?

Look for a nice pair of mid sixties Sansui SP100 or SP200 speakers. They are for low watt amps and have Alnico drivers with simple x-overs. Very efficient.

Pioneer and Kenwood from the same era are worth looking into too. All will need to be re-capped etc.

[Rosco65]

Originally Posted by decooney

I'm really enjoying this KT150 Hot Rod amp after a few weeks, with only 60 hours break-in using speakers on loan from my other/large system.

Hoping to find a good matching set of (full sounding) speakers for it, if not, may need to re-sell it but I don't want to...Sounds very musical! Amazing. Unfortunately I don't have room for another set of large speakers and I'm really not a fan of lean / small sounding speakers. Catch-22.

Are there any mid-size "must have" vintage speakers worth finding/re-building as a great match for this little DH KT150 Hot Rod 10w amp?

Don’t know what you consider mid-size, but I think a pair of Snell 2 ways (E, J, K) would be hard to beat. The Snell E was the basis for today’s Audio Note speakers. They are easy to drive (90dB), produce good bass, and sound like music.

[decooney]

Originally Posted by Rosco65

Don’t know what you consider mid-size, but I think a pair of Snell 2 ways (E, J, K) would be hard to beat. The Snell E was the basis for today’s Audio Note speakers. They are easy to drive (90dB), produce good bass, and sound like music.

I tested a couple of pairs of friends older 90db speakers. Not sensitive enough (IMO) for the little DH 10w amp. They just don't light up, or create the wall of sound like it should with a nice SET amp. I realize sensitivity is not the only factor. I always wanted to try Snell, cannot afford Harbeths. This amp definitely deserves the right speakers. So far, Omega or Zu look good, but still looking for something like Snell or Harbeth...copies. Also, trying to figure out why some recommend Rogers LS 3/5A yet they have lower sensitivity. Has something to do with the impedance as I take it. Also looking at the small brand new JBL studio monitor 3-ways.

QUESTION:
Zu, Omega, what else is a well known "great" match for this cool little DH amp?



.

[Breakdown7]

Never heard any Snell speakers. Sorry I can't help there. I have Genesis 7.1C monitors. 87db with 4ohm impedance. Do you guys think one of the Inspire PSE amps would drive them properly? I have a feeling the Fire Bottle HO just wouldn’t quite cut it. If I want to get an Inspire amp to match my LP-27a, I think the PSE is about the best option. Just not sure it will be enough. Kind of an expensive experiment and wanted to get others opinions.

[decooney]

Originally Posted by Breakdown7

Never heard any Snell speakers. Sorry I can't help there. I have Genesis 7.1C monitors. 87db with 4ohm impedance. Do you guys think one of the Inspire PSE amps would drive them properly? I have a feeling the Fire Bottle HO just wouldn’t quite cut it. If I want to get an Inspire amp to match my LP-27a, I think the PSE is about the best option. Just not sure it will be enough. Kind of an expensive experiment and wanted to get others opinions.

I just did the experiment. Using my main speakers with 91.5db sensitivity, while it sounds good with the DH 10w SET, if I take the same speakers and run them with a larger 50wpc tube amp (designed by the same person) in strapped triode, there is a notable difference in terms of how large and full the sound stage is. This is causing me to consider running a very efficient set of speakers well suited for my low watt DH triode tube amps. Now I know, it will help to pair up the right speakers with this wonderful little amp - it deserves it .

[Breakdown7]

Sounds like you may have a new speaker purchase in your future :-)
Certainly the amps warrant a proper speaker.