-Cayin TA-30 (Bizzybee upgrades.. biasing pots on the side, vs underneath) $600-700
Prima Luna Prologe II $900-1100. Auto-biasing, soft start circuit. Basically plug and play, no hassle.
Some believe that both are basically the same amps. Kevin Deal who imports the PrimaLuna line claims better internals. I don't know. I have the PLII. I like mine quite a bit.
The Cayin (takes awhile to find one) has a pre-out to separate the preamp and amp, going for it.
I bought this model for the same reason you are. Easy to tube roll. Both uses almost all power tubes. KT88, 6550, EL34s.
If you're coming from solid state, from what I've read, the Russian Gold Lion "re-issues" KT88s are supposed to be very very good. I have a set, haven't plugged them in yet (waiting to get my room in order).
Currently have Electo Harmonix (EH) 6550s in and stock preamp tubes, quite like it.
I got my tubes from Jim McShane (google him, very well regarded), and Kevin Deal at upscale audio is suppose to be very good as well.
Also, look into the Monarchy M24 all tube DAC and linestage (2 separate power supplies). It has a 3K output impedance though, but you could use it as a "tube" preamp to go with your existing power amp (no worry about driving speakers). To get your toes wet.
I went this way for a while, but decided to go full tube integrated.
From 9 feet away, I dont' find tubes that hot. IME, a non-issue. Just go for it.
Prima Luna Prologe II $900-1100. Auto-biasing, soft start circuit. Basically plug and play, no hassle.
Some believe that both are basically the same amps. Kevin Deal who imports the PrimaLuna line claims better internals. I don't know. I have the PLII. I like mine quite a bit.
The Cayin (takes awhile to find one) has a pre-out to separate the preamp and amp, going for it.
I bought this model for the same reason you are. Easy to tube roll. Both uses almost all power tubes. KT88, 6550, EL34s.
If you're coming from solid state, from what I've read, the Russian Gold Lion "re-issues" KT88s are supposed to be very very good. I have a set, haven't plugged them in yet (waiting to get my room in order).
Currently have Electo Harmonix (EH) 6550s in and stock preamp tubes, quite like it.
I got my tubes from Jim McShane (google him, very well regarded), and Kevin Deal at upscale audio is suppose to be very good as well.
Also, look into the Monarchy M24 all tube DAC and linestage (2 separate power supplies). It has a 3K output impedance though, but you could use it as a "tube" preamp to go with your existing power amp (no worry about driving speakers). To get your toes wet.
I went this way for a while, but decided to go full tube integrated.
From 9 feet away, I dont' find tubes that hot. IME, a non-issue. Just go for it.