2. amps-preamps
  3. 134169-768

Getting into tubes

I'm thinking about getting my first tube integrated amp and been reading all I can about them. I've narrowed my list of manufacturers down to four: Raven Audio (Blackhawk/Osprey), Primaluna (Dialogue Premium), Ars Sonum Filarmonia and Decware (Zen Mystery Amp). All have their pros and cons. First, a bit about my system:

Merlin TSM Black Magic Edition
Sunfire True Sub Mk2 (and oldie but still runs well)
MSB Analog Dac 
Macbook Air streaming Tidal through Audirvana
Spectral SDR-3000SL running into the MSB

Room is small, about 10 X 11. I listen to jazz ( mostly trio's and female vocals) and some classic rock. 

My laundry list for what I'm looking for in a tube amp is as follows:

1. Obviously they have to sound great. From what I've been reading, seems like all these amps all sound fantastic to various individuals that have used them. 
2. Ease of use: self biasing tubes. Don't want the fuss of having to bias the tubes myself. I know that with the Decware ZMA, you have to bias yourself but it appears to be a simple process.
3. Overall build of the unit. Each of the manufacturers all look to have excellent build qualities. I've seen pictures of the insides of all units. Looks like the Primaluna is built like a beast on the inside. Also the ZMA is all point to point, no circuit boards of any type. That's a big plus.
4. Remote control: now this is a semi big one for me. I do a lot of late night listening and am constantly changing the volume. Raven Audio and Primaluna checks this box off but the Filharmonia and ZMA doesn't. However I have a DAC (MSB Analog) that has a volume control built in that I believe may work?
5. Subwoofer output. It would be nice to have a dedicated sub out for ease of connecting the sub. I know that there is the option to connect the sub through the speaker level inputs, but I have read its difficult to do that with the Filarmonia and ZMA if the spades are too thick. 
6. Reliability and after care service.

For those that have experience with any of these amps, any advice would be greatly appreciated! I've been going back and forth trying to decide. Thanks!
jzzmn88

Showing 2 responses by pryso

pryso
1,973 posts
 
jzzmn88, I was friends with Jud Barber of Joule-Electra (we are no longer in touch) and attended the CES multiple years.  Jud and Bobby greatly respected one another and demoed their gear together.  The point of that was that Bobby chose tube electronics for his demos.  So that alone suggests you are on the right track.

Many good model suggestions have been made here.  Unfortunately none of us can say what you may like best.  So if you can narrow your candidate list down to a practical number (2 or 3) and arrange auditions with those I'm certain you will end up happy.

Regarding your laundry list, two comments. 
*  In a room that small it should be easy to place your components next to your listening seat so within easy reach.  That could eliminate the need for a remote control (which I otherwise appreciate).
*  So long as the manufacturer provides test points and adjustments on the top plate, biasing should not be a big deal.  It can be easy, quick, and infrequent in a well-designed amp.
pryso
1,973 posts
 
jzmm88, I’ve owned Joule-Electra as well as several other major brand tubed components over the years. It was not my experience that Joules required more maintenance than the others. I didn’t suggest them because you specified interest in an integrated and while Joule may have offered an integrated (Stargate?) I had no familiarity with that.

But the mention of Rich at Signature Sound is a sound (!) one. He was a dealer for both Merlin and J-E and knows both products as well if not better than anyone today. Plus he is a good guy. Contacting him should be well worthwhile.
More to discover