Hi there!  Welcome.

I own a Mini Torii, but have never listened to a Rachael. I understand the Rachael is a very good amp and you can follow its support thread in this forum to get a sense of its appreciation.

Regarding the Mini, I am very happy with it. It has everything I could ask from a low power SEP amp. It is also a fun platform for tube-rolling, allowing you to fine tune it to your sound tastes and particular listening conditions, better than any other amp in the Decware range.

The Mini uses non expensive 6V6 output tubes and it provides plenty of 'pep' and volume for a reasonably sized listening room, provided you have speakers with the minimum sensitivity required (i.e., 93 dB).

You can get all 4 power watts out of it with 8 Ohm impedance speakers, and about 3.3 watts at 4 Ohms. My speakers are DM945's (Decware's) @ 4 Ohms and the synergy and overall sound is just great.

The more I listen to it, the more I like it. I'm sure the Rachael would do quite well too, but I would listen to their owners for a more informed opinion.

IMHO, the tradeoffs involved between these two fine amps are midrange lush, imaging and dynamics. Being a beam tetrode, the Mini is more dynamic. Given the triode nature of the Rachael's circuit design, it is supposed to be better at midrange frequencies and imaging.

Nevertheless, with Decware equipment these differences are very subtle, with a Mini also very rich in the mids and a Rachael with enough dynamics to enjoy your favorite music.

I listen to classical music and bebop jazz, mostly. The Mini's headroom and pep is a convenience I enjoy. If you are more into acoustic music, fewer instruments ensembles or chamber music, the Rachael should be unbeatable.

Having said that, I listen to plenty of chamber music and some acoustic ensembles, and I just love how the Mini sounds with those too. I you're into Rock and prefer louder music, it may be that the Mini is slightly better at this, but this is only my opinion from afar.

Either way, you can't really get it wrong.

Dom

Forgot to mention that Steve did state that the Mini Torii would have been an excellent choice, too.  I just decided to pay more and go with the Torii MK3.  This is my system for life and I will tube roll.

Good luck!

Hey guys,

Thanks for all of your input..it has been very helpful.  To go into a little more detail, here are a few more points....

-  For the time being, I will be using a Polk Audio center channel (89db) rated from 20 - 250 watts (very inefficient) until I purchase a set of bookshelf speakers.  Input source will be mainly from IPOD/IPAD and/or a Bluray player with no DAC.

- Eventually will go with a 2 channel setup and utilizing a very good Velodyne powered sub.

-  Music is mainly either rock/classic rock, Italian opera, or classical music that will be played at background to normal volume levels.

-  Room size is like an 18x35 room with a 12 ft. Vaulted ceiling.

-  Concern issue for the Torii is the lack of utilizing an el34 tube, which would probably work well with my music selection as well as not being able to bridge the amp if I want to use my center..needing a bit more headroom.  While the Torii MKIII is what I really need..it's a bit out of my price range right now.  On the upside I like that the Torii has the extra output to link to my sub, as well as the lower input sensitivity for my iPod.

-  Concern for the Rachel....lack of the extra output for my sub; and that higher minimum requirement for the input device with the iPod.    But on the plus side the use of the El34 tube, as well as the higher WPC in stereo, and being able to bridge it mono.

Believe it or not the lack of the El34 in the mini tube is REALLY bothering me, plus the fact that I cannot bridge it in mono mode and get a higher WPC to run my center.....potentially holding off until I can afford a really nice set of bookshelf speakers that are away more efficient than my Polk Center.  

Any thoughts on what I just mentioned??

Thanks again...

Dominick

My center channel unfortunately has one set of speaker posts, so bi-amping is not going to work.  The only other major concern I have is that I plan on using an IPOD or IPAD as a music source most  of the time...which is ideal for the MT.  

***Question.....has anyone successfully used an IPAD/IPOD with a Rachel without a separate preamp or or ZSTAGE to compensate for ithe IPOD's low voltage output??  If so....please let me know...this would greatly help my decision on getting one unit over the other.  

Also...The lack of the EL34 tube in the MT is not a huge deal breaker.  However I do like that the Rachel has a bridging capability and increased WPC.  

When I had a SE34.2 I occasionally ran an iPod in, and really the output was challenged without using the CSP2. I agree an external DAC would help and improve sound (but not all DACs have been licensed and designed to handle the digital output of the iPod).

I have not tried this myself, but you can use the input 6N2P-EV tube for more gain in the Rachael. How much more? I do not know.

Dom, Your sub won't provide any more power to your speaker. The speaker level inputs just read the output and pass it on through. Sorry.
As far as using a Ipod for a source, it works but not real well. I use one with a Wadia dock, and if you are not outputting into a a DAC or preamp it is really underwhelming. Not enough voltage. Now if you run it through a DAC, things get a whole lot more interesting.....

Thanks Donnie and Beowolf for your advice...it's greatly appreciated!!  Unfortunately my Mac is at the other end of the room.  I would have to run a cable over 50 ft. to the device, and I don't want to do that.  I am trying to stay away from wireless transmission if at all possible.  

I will be using a CD player, in addition to a IPAD2 / IPOD device.  I know some DAC's run cheap, but I do believe there are ones out there that are specifically meant to handle an IPOD/IPAD device.  I have been on the Mac forums a bit trying to get some insight.  

*** If anyone knows of any IPOD/IPAD specific Dac's of good quality, I would appreciate some recommendations.  I will be buying Riveriaranches MT....just working out some details and waiting to talk to Mr D. about possible upgrades and options.

Once again..thanks for all of the input.  It's greatly appreciated.

Dom