I agree that it's usually better to put more of your budget into speakers, but if you have the money and want to try tubes, there are a number of good integrateds out there in your budget range - Primaluna, Rogue Audio, used ARC, etc. My first (and fairly recent) experience with tubes in my home was an Audio Research Vsi55. It's currently driving my Klipsch Heresy speakers, but has sounded great with everything I've paired it with. I prefer the less "colored, syrupy" or however you want to describe sound of tubes and the ARC sound is pretty neutral.
Best Tube Amp for B&W Bookshelf
I own a pair of CDM1’s. A few years ago I heard a tube amp at a trade show. I think it was a Manley Stingray. It sounded amazing. Would this be a good choice for my B&W’s?
Or or does anyone have a better choice? My budget is about $3500.
I listen to mostly female vocal singer-songwriter folk/pop, jazz and classical. Clean warm vocals and sweet acoustic guitars that sparkle are what I liked about the tubes I heard at the trade show.
The souce was SACD. I think it was Alison Krauss Patricia Barber or Holy Cole. On another SACD I think I also heard an acoustic finger plucked piece by Lindsay Buckingham/Fleetwood Mac ’ Never Going Back Again".
Both cuts were truly memorable and made an impression as to the beauty of tubes. I have Crown Reference II solid state amps currently in my system.
This will be my first tube amp. My head end is Emm Labs -- DAC, transport, and pre. Please can you give me advice for integratedes and/or mono blocks in the $3500 range? I realize this is not much of a budget for quality tube amps ... I just need some pointing in the right direction based on experience and with possibly the same musical tastes. Thank you.
Or or does anyone have a better choice? My budget is about $3500.
I listen to mostly female vocal singer-songwriter folk/pop, jazz and classical. Clean warm vocals and sweet acoustic guitars that sparkle are what I liked about the tubes I heard at the trade show.
The souce was SACD. I think it was Alison Krauss Patricia Barber or Holy Cole. On another SACD I think I also heard an acoustic finger plucked piece by Lindsay Buckingham/Fleetwood Mac ’ Never Going Back Again".
Both cuts were truly memorable and made an impression as to the beauty of tubes. I have Crown Reference II solid state amps currently in my system.
This will be my first tube amp. My head end is Emm Labs -- DAC, transport, and pre. Please can you give me advice for integratedes and/or mono blocks in the $3500 range? I realize this is not much of a budget for quality tube amps ... I just need some pointing in the right direction based on experience and with possibly the same musical tastes. Thank you.