Puresound A10 Valve Amp

[sthomas048]

Hello,

Just a quickie - any news on the Puresound A10 ? Caught my attention - a valve amp by Puresound for around £600. However, there isnt much info around about it so i was curious if anyone knew more.

Heres hoping !

 

[lordmortlock]

Wow see what you mean - Its hard to find out anything about it! I know the A30 was pretty well received... not that this helps much.

 

[sthomas048]

I emailed Puresound and received a fast and friendly response from Guy Sergeant. It is out and available from 3 dealers - Walrus, Coherent Systems and Noteworthy Audio. Price is £600. He gave me a bit more detail about the A10 -

" The A10 was developed to meet a need for a compact and relatively affordable Class A amplifier that would be compatible with high quality, high sensitivity loudspeakers. The A10 is a line level integrated design that allows for the selection of 2 different source components and control of the volume via a high quality film potentiometer. Class A operation was chosen because it gives lower distortion and a more relaxing, natural sound.The amplifier uses the 6P14 output valves (an equivalent of the EL84/6BQ5) in an Ultra Linear push pull configuration. This arrangement gives a combination of power and clarity that is difficult to beat. There is a charming quality about the way this family of pentodes reproduce music. The amplifier uses an Auto Bias system, which means that replacement output valves should be fitted as matched pairs. There will be no need to reset or monitor bias conditions. Very high quality components are used throughout including selected carbon
film resistors and polypropylene signal coupling capacitors. All of the input sockets and speaker terminals are gold plated to ensure good quality electrical contact in the long term. The output can be configured for use with 4 or 8 Ohm loudspeakers. The A10 may also be used as a very high quality stereo power amplifier if the volume control is turned up fully. "

 

[lordmortlock]

Not got a lot of beans then by the sound of it! Are you thinking about having a listen?

 

[sthomas048]

Im considering it ! Although i do have concerns about partnering the right speakers with the A10. Ive heard some valve amps need sensitive speakers ? I have B&W 601s but my room is quite small and so i never have to push my current amp very loud, maybe 15% maximum. What do you think ?

 

[lordmortlock]

I've not had any experience of valve amps but I've always been interested. Check the manufacturers recos on the spec re speaker sensitivity... I think you need to be a bit more careful when matching.

Cue a poster with more valve experience please!

 

[gregory]

Yes, valve amps generally need sensitive speakers, the higher the better especially with a 10 watter like the pure sound but the B&W's should be ok at around 89 db although i would audition the amp and speakers together if you can. Once you hear a valve amp you will wonder why you didn't have a listen ages ago, the right amp really is very special and for me knocks the spots off a solid stater, just my oppinion of course, i had a leak stereo 20 and a croft super micro for years but i sold them to finance my sons drumming, so he owes me on that one, you may like to look at the icon audio range as well, there is a review of one of their amps on here, good luck, Gregory.

 

[drummerman]

sthomas048:
Im considering it ! Although i do have concerns about partnering the right speakers with the A10. Ive heard some valve amps need sensitive speakers ? I have B&W 601s but my room is quite small and so i never have to push my current amp very loud, maybe 15% maximum. What do you think ?

I used Audio Innovation Class A amps (rated around 20w/ch) with relatively insensitive Infinite Baffle Ruark Sabres and volume was never an issue. What is more or at least equally important is the response characteristic of the amplifier into different loads. That differs widely from speaker to speaker so there's really only one way to find out and that is to try it with yours. Alternatively let the dealer suggest something tried and tested.

I have also found that generally the valve amplifiers I've used tended to sound better with paper coned speakers.

 

[sthomas048]

Yes what i will probably do is test drive the A10 for a week in my system with an agreement from the dealer to buy and then return if it doesnt sound happy with its buddies. Ive always been interested in valve amps ever since i got into hifi, it just seems to make more sense to me and my ears. Plus i have a fondness for un-digital sound and with most of the kit ive purchased over the years that has been a motivating factor. Natural, fluid, musical,rich and engaging sounds. It will probably be a choice between the Puresound A10 and the Icon Audio Stereo 25 amps. Thanks Gregory for your helpful reply.

gregory:Yes, valve amps generally need sensitive speakers, the higher the better especially with a 10 watter like the pure sound but the B&W's should be ok at around 89 db although i would audition the amp and speakers together if you can. Once you hear a valve amp you will wonder why you didn't have a listen ages ago, the right amp really is very special and for me knocks the spots off a solid stater, just my oppinion of course, i had a leak stereo 20 and a croft super micro for years but i sold them to finance my sons drumming, so he owes me on that one, you may like to look at the icon audio range as well, there is a review of one of their amps on here, good luck, Gregory.

 

[lordmortlock]

I'd be interested to know how you get on.

 

[sthomas048]

drummerman:
I used Audio Innovation Class A amps (rated around 20w/ch) with relatively insensitive Infinite Baffle Ruark Sabres and volume was never an issue. What is more or at least equally important is the response characteristic of the amplifier into different loads. That differs widely from speaker to speaker so there's really only one way to find out and that is to try it with yours. Alternatively let the dealer suggest something tried and tested.

I have also found that generally the valve amplifiers I've used tended to sound better with paper coned speakers.

Well my old B&Ws have teflon cones, i think. Not to worry. I will test them out with the A10 and see what happens. Its all one big musical adventure i suppose ! Looking forward to getting my hands on some valves. Cheers drummerman.

Be handy if What Hi-Fi reviewed the A10 soon. Hint.

 

[sthomas048]

lordmortlock:I'd be interested to know how you get on.

I will be sure to let you know lordmortlock and everyone !