The person who makes and sells these says that they are the best in the world? They may be good but that is one very questionable data point. The fact that you love them carries much more weight.
Affordable US Made Tube Pre/Power or Integrated Options
I'm considering switching to tube amplification from solid state. I'm fine with separate pre/power or an integrated. I'll be driving Enzo XL's in a smallish room (17x14) and listening levels are almost always <90db so 30-40 watts should be more than enough. My budget is fairly modest, $2-3k all in. I don't need phono or more than 3 inputs but I would like remote for volume at minimum. Quality build and sound is a priority as is ease of support/repairs if needed. The one unique requirement is that my preference would be for US made if at all possible. Obviously, this limits the options quite a bit but I'd like to see if I can make it work. If not, I'm willing to look at other options.
Here's what I've found so far
Preamps:
Mapletree Line 2CRM, $800 (not US but close)
LTA MZ2- $1595
Power Amps:
Tubes4hifi ST70-35w, $1300
Audio by Van Alstine Ultravalve-35w?, $1599
Quicksilver Mid Mono-40w each, $1995/pair
Integrated:
Rogue Cronus- 100w, $2395
Any others?
I'm open to any other options you may know of. Also, if there's any insight or positive experiences with matching pre/power amp please share. I'm new to tubes so I have a lot to learn.
Here's what I've found so far
Preamps:
Mapletree Line 2CRM, $800 (not US but close)
LTA MZ2- $1595
Power Amps:
Tubes4hifi ST70-35w, $1300
Audio by Van Alstine Ultravalve-35w?, $1599
Quicksilver Mid Mono-40w each, $1995/pair
Integrated:
Rogue Cronus- 100w, $2395
Any others?
I'm open to any other options you may know of. Also, if there's any insight or positive experiences with matching pre/power amp please share. I'm new to tubes so I have a lot to learn.
Showing 5 responses by hilde45
Quicksilver’s preamp is $1295 and very hard to beat; sounds great, point to point wiring, American made, comments which helped me toward this unit testified to rugged reliability and great customer service. I also bought the 60wpc amps. That’s above your price point but the 40 watts would fit the bill. At list preamp and monoblocks would be $3290. Quicksilver also makes a nice integrated for $1995 that I heard power some 85db Dynaudios. You might consider the Erhard's Basie amp, too -- http://www.erhard-audio.com/Basie.html |
Aric Audio looks really excellent to my eye. Question for the tube people here -- my tube preamp has two 12AX7 tubes. These Arics have many more tubes. Can you tell me why someone might prefer a preamp with two vs. more than two tubes? If the OP is considering the costs of tube replacement, that might bear on the OP's question. It's certainly something I'm curious about. @mesch , others, any thoughts? |