Entry Level Tube Integrated Amps


I’d like to dip my toe into the tube world. Does anyone have experience, or have listened to, an LSA-70T or a Willsenton R300 tube integrated amp? Thanks in advance for your opinion(s)!

scotthiga

Showing 3 responses by corelli

@scotthiga   If you really want to experience what tubes are all about suggest you do a simple  SET integrated with a full range driver.

Check out Analogue Ethos.  You can do a kit or prebuilt. Beautiful cosmetics and I suspect great sounding as well. Other great options would be Erhard Audio, Elekit, AN kits, among others.   Pair that up with an Omega speaker (or similar efficient easy to drive design).

Certainly you could go with a push-pull tube design if you want something to drive your current speakers.  Just keep in mind not all speakers play well with tube amps. Synergy is key.  Otherwise, you could end up with something inferior to your current amp.  (BTW, it would be helpful if you post more info on your system. Otherwise, you will get many random opinions--including mine.)

Nice.  Sounds to me like you have many options given those speakers and subs..  Now it would be good to know what kind of sound you are seeking.  What is it that your currents amps are not bringing to the table?  What kind of music do you enjoy and at what spl do you tend to listen?

@scotthiga  That is what I would have guessed.  You are looking for more meat on the bones. The warmth and humanity of tubes!

In my limited experience, the bigger push pull tube amps brought me closer to solid state.  So I went from a 14 tube amp down to a 3 tube SET amp and then I understood what tubes were all about.  That is not to say there are not push-pull tube amps that can pull off a similar feat--I just don't know which ones to suggest.

I can say that my Erhard Ray provides exactly what you are looking for in terms of sound quality.  But it may not have enough power or features.  Driving a pair of Omega monitors, 4 wpc is plenty of power for me, especially after I added a pair of REL 5/tx subs. While I love my primary system, I have to say that this little tube based system is wonderful to listen to.

Highly suggest you consider used gear so you can experiment a bit without taking much of a financial hit.  If the first one doesn't quite deliver the goods, you can move on.  I would also bet that which amp you like best will hinge on which one of your speakers it is driving.