Hi,

I own a pair a Paradigm Studio 80v2's. I believe the sensitivity rating is 92db.  Currently my amp is a 175 watt Anthem solid state.  I'd really like to switch to tubes but I like good authoritative bass and am wondering how well a 25watt tube amp could handle it.  I have a stereo only rig and use it for audio/video.

Thanks,

Greg

I basically agree with Lon. You should be fine. The only caveat is how large your listening space is, and how loud you like it. Also, will you be using a preamp? In a real large room, you may find yourself missing some of the headroom a your present amp can provide. Just something to consider. Might be a good enough reason to give a call to Steve with some additional info who will give you and expert, and unbiased opinion.

Thank guys for your fast response.  I do use a passive preamp, Counterpoint Solid 8 and my listening room is not large at all.  About 11' by 13'.  I listen w/ the speakers on the long wall.  Hoping for more warmth than i currently get w/ out being too soft.  My system errs on the side of brightness tho it's no too glaring.

Greg

Thanks Lon, I bet you're right.  Along a different line... are you familiar w/ the MODEL CSP2+ pre-amp.  I was just looking at it and wonder if i'd accomplish a lot of my goal by using that and just keep my current amp.  Would save some $ too.

Thanks

Greg

You make a good point about not needing a pre amp w/ the Torii.  I wish it had a few more inputs, tho future plans for an Oppo Universal player would make that a non issue.  Thanks again for your expertise.

Greg

Hi JD,
I'm happy to hear you like the Oppo, and that the Torii drives your 93db speakers so well.  I'm really feeling like I need to get this amp!

Greg

Greg, awesome, congrats!

To be honest, a lot of "bloom" isn't really a good thing as it's inaccurate and obscuring, but Decware products don't suffer that problem. I find "bloom" more in amps than preamps, but there will likely be that sound coming in as the amp breaks in more (especially if it has been unused for a spell). The stock tubes are very decent, and it's a good idea to use them for a while and get the sound down pat and then if you wish start rolling tubes, there are lots of good suggestions here in the forums.

Keep us posted on your new tube journey!

Awesome Gregg! No, I wouldn't want to try to guess the date of shipping or receiving the amp. . . Sarah would be the safest bet, wait til you see it hit "packed" and then call Sarah. . . .

Good enough.  Thanks guys.

So, this week I got my tracking # which showed the delivery date was yesterday.  So I took the day off work. Went to my local P.O. as 8:30 because I didn't want to sit around all day waiting for delivery.  Since I got there before the trucks rolled they pulled it off and I was able to sign and go. Before I even left, I had my first impression of ordering thru Decware.  They shipped the amp in a Pelican case,free of charge.  What Class.

So I put it my car and am driving home, almost get to test the Pelican as, of all things, a tow truck runs a stop sign, as we have been getting icy rain/snow, i hit the breaks but kept sliding. So in my best Steve Mcqueen move, I cut hard left, slid sideways thru the intersection, just missed the truck, as he gunned it, must have realized his error.  I mean I missed him by inches.  I digress.

So I get home, plug in the the tubes, hook it all up per the manual.  Decided on my first song.  Beatles Abbey Road  Black Triangle  Here Comes the Sun.    Not good.  Chaotic mess.  Long story short tho,  after 3hrs warm up, and deciphering all the knobs and switches, dialing in the various gain, volume options btwn the amp and csp2, it was  all goody goodness.

Wow.  

After 5hrs,  I had pretty much played thru all the music I had been waiting 2months to hear thru this amp.  Now I know I've got a long break in period ahead, but damn, this is definately gonna be a great amp.  My wife loves listening to tunes as much as I do. She was smiling, song after song.  Whew.  After dropping 3 bills, I was just a tad nervous about her reaction.  Not any more.  I put in Willie Nelson - Stardust sacd.  After listening to it I asked her to compare it thru the new amp vs old SS amp.  She paused,  then said, "I can hear each individual brush on the drummers brush strokes.  yeahhh.  

All up and down the frequency spectrum, this amp really delivers the goods.  Bass is  solid, mids are a dream,  highs, which the treble control, all easily dealt with on brighter recordings.  I love it.

So far, to answer my own question which opened this thread, "Will the model TORII MK3 amp drive my Paradigm's"  the answer is    Ohhh Hell yes!   No worries in the 92db, 8 ohm department.  None at all.  It grabs the speakers by the cajones, gives a slight squeeze, then calmly asks,  "who's your daddy".  I now have to decide what to do w/ my subwoofer, certainly don't need it now.

Anyways,  that was my first day w/ the amp.  Now, I gotta drink more coffee and take shower.  I was up way too late, drank way too many Summit Saga's last night.   Perhaps you may have noticed.

True,  but I have to tell you I really haven't felt the need to hook the sub back up and that's never been the case before.  Tho I'll eventually hook it up for movies if nothing else.

As the amp continues to break in it really is something else.  No brightness at all,, finally,  yet no loss of detail what so ever.  Probably the opposite.  More musical etc.  Probably nothing new to add here that others haven't already posted on.  I just feel totally justified in the expense which was a lot for me, tho the cost was mostly offset by selling off a lot of sacd's and collectible cd's that I hadn't really listened to much lately.

Eventually a better disc player and maybe some Err's and I'll be set.  but no hurry.  This current upgrade will tide me over for some time to be sure.

By the way, as an fyi,  the Torii came with 6922's which was a surprise.  I had thought it would come w/ 6n1p's.  And I am using the Philips rectifiers I had ordered from upscaleaudio.com, 2 in the torii and 1 in the csp2.