For a tube set-up I recommend separates vs integrated as some have suggested. Mcintosh amps drive the tubes easily and auto bias, so you gain longevity and the engineering is not as subject to tube rolling as much. That said, I found getting a tube pre-amp first and hook it up to a solid state pre-amp. You'd be surprised at the results. Also, tone controls are cool and useful. Get them. One last note that tube amps are heavy because of their output transformers especially as more watts are added. Depending on your space tube amps need their own space or rack because you can't stack the components due to their unorthodox shape. Good luck with your search. Tubes are cool.
Diving into the world of tubes...help needed!
Hi all,
I'm seriously considering diving into the world of vacuum tubes. I currently have Focal Aria 906s which I adore...but may upgrade those in the future as well to a floor standing speaker. For the beginning though, they will be my speakers. Looking for opinions on the below amps/preamps, especially the pairing of the Emotiva pre with the EVO 100!
My choices have been narrowed down to:
I'm seriously considering diving into the world of vacuum tubes. I currently have Focal Aria 906s which I adore...but may upgrade those in the future as well to a floor standing speaker. For the beginning though, they will be my speakers. Looking for opinions on the below amps/preamps, especially the pairing of the Emotiva pre with the EVO 100!
My choices have been narrowed down to:
- PrimaLuna Prologue Classic Integrated Amp - would likely pair with a Schiit Loki to have tone control
- PrimaLuna EVO 100 Power Amp - paired with EMOTIVA PT-100 preamp, would likely pair with Loki as well
- Vincent SV-237MK Integrated Amp - needs nothing additional