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Best Tube Amp under 10K?

Having every audio dealer in town recommend their line as "the best unless you want to spend $25K" and buy a ..." is frustrating. Well, like most of us, I can't spend $25K on amps ... but I am curious to know what others consider their "final" amp upgrade under $10K. My listening tastes are wide ranging but will mostly include SACD jazz and classical. I do not have a turntable ... yet. And I ususally play at low to moderate volumes only (the wife factor)-- speakers are reasonably efficient 91DB KEF Ref 4's that I hope to upgrade.
lornecherry
alaric
34 posts
 
Manley makes some decent amps , and don't underestimate McIntosh. The name may carry a bit of "old school" stigma , but Mac has been doing high-end tube amps for a very long time-50 years of experience and sales success isn't a fluke.
jagdynamics
28 posts
 
has anyone consider the blue circle bc28 or the bc204? i have a bc28 and its very fine tube amp. my preamp is accuphase c-2800, using a sacd sony xa9000es player with acapella fidelio II monitors, ps audio p500 power generator, and all my cables are ps audio latest technology. the blue circle plays very well after an hour of warm-up. david picarsic
mail18774547059
2 posts
 
Shindo Cortese.Would be fantastic with Jazz and would probably work ok with your current speakers.Would be better with more tube friendly speaks.
I like it better than the $25,000 SET I used to own.
soundwatts
221 posts
 
Agree with MeJames Conrad Johnson premier 8A
pinkus
144 posts
 
You can usually pick one up for less than 10K, used. Once you get used to it, there is no going back.
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