Considering switching to Tubes


Hello all, 

For the last ten or so years I've been listening to music on my home stereo, and for the last 10 or so years I have been 100% content with everything about it. And then my best friend brought by a Chinese integrated tube amp, and my world fell apart. 

Currently the set up is:
Speakers: B&W 805s 
Amp: Rotel RB1070
Preamp: Rotel RC1070 
CD player: Rotel RCC1055
DAC: TEAC UD301 

The B&W and Rotel gear was purchased whe  I worked at an electronics retail store through the employee purchase program (I think it was cost -10%), the TEAC was added to try out streaming through the system, which in all honesty is what I do 99% of the time now. 

My friend and former colleague brought over a recently acquired Yaqin MC100B, and I simply can't stress enough how much more I enjoyed listen to the music off of that integrated Amp. 

Which leads me to my questions, should I just give in, and grab a relatively affordable tube amp? And secondly, I've been reading (mostly about Yaqin, because I'm not in the position currently to invest 5000+) up on their various models, and the two that seem to be what in looking for are either the MC100B which I've heard on my system and the MC13S, which I have not. The first uses KT88s and the second uses EL34s, I'm not a big bass loving guy, and the EL34s intrigue me, but I'm a hesitant to jump in without listening to them. The snag is, I live in the arctic, and the only really way for me to try them at home, is to purchase them. 

I'm open to arguments for and against swapping out the rotel, for yaqin.


Cheers, 

esp803
B&W's don't have the reputation for being all that tube friendly.
While this is true, the 805s are an exception. We've had a number of customers using 805s with our M-60 amplifiers so its a friendly load for almost any tube amp.
@gents   The OP specifically stated that he listened to a tube integrated, was duly smitten, and then asked if he should switch to a tube AMP, not preamp. As B&Ws are, typically, a rather demanding load, he should approach buying a tube amp for them with caution. Not any ole tube amp will do.
Remember "icepimp", I've got your Amp hostage (the aforementioned MC100B), and giving it a good test.

Thanks all for the responses, I think the way I'm going to do it is go with the "I liked what it sounded like, I'm just going to get it", plus that way Icepimp and I can bi-amp things, for reasons. 

Cheers all, 

E
I recently traded in my Macintosh Integrated for a Prima Luna EVO 400 -- I was blown away... it was the warmth and **utterly holographic imaging and presence** I'd been searching for, for nearly 40 years. I've since rolled KT150s in and some Mullard tubes on the input stage and it pure magic. I can't fathom going back.