Help with first tube amp


I’m looking for some guidance on purchasing my first tube amp.

My current setup: Speakers: Sonus Faber Sonetto 1 G2 bookshelf speakers.  (I plan to add a subwoofer soon)

Amp/Source: Cambridge Audio EVO 150 (all-in-one integrated with built-in streamer & DAC)

The EVO 150 made sense originally because I didn’t have room for multiple components, but after some renovations I now have space and flexibility to build out a proper system.

Since this would be my first tube amp, I was hoping to keep costs reasonable and have been considering: •Muzishare X7 (KT88) •Cayin A-88T (KT88) •A used Muzishare R100 (300B) available locally •A used Brunoco Terra 6L6 PP available locally

My questions:

1.    ⁠Will I actually hear a meaningful difference between my EVO 150 and these lower-cost tube amps?
2.    ⁠Are my Sonus Faber Sonetto 1 G2s at 87 db sensitivity a good match for these lower-power tube amps ?
3.    ⁠Anything I should keep in mind as a first-time tube amp buyer who listens mostly to vinyl and streaming?
4.    ⁠What If I used the EVO 150 as a pre amp with the tube amp as power source only?  Would that still give me that tube sound ?

Thanks in advance — really appreciate any advice from folks with experience!

licarijo

Showing 1 response by dogearedaudio

Keep the Sonus Fabers, a *small* 90+dB speaker that will fit your space won’t come close to them.  Consider the Black Ice mentioned above, a venerable company (formerly Jolida) with excellent customer service.  Also, the Tubes4HiFi VTA ST-120, based on the classic Dynaco Mark III and updated driver board, excellent transformers!

http://www.tubes4hifi.com/amps.htm#ST120

I fell in love with 300Bs and ProAcs 30+ years ago at Audio Depot in Maryland.  Still have the ProAcs but gave up on SE as just not conveying enough information with so many wonderful new digital classical recordings.