Help with tube amps

You might want to take a look at the VTL ST-85...it can be had for ~$950 used. It has a nice look to it...you can see the tubes aglow through the from faceplate. It is also nice sounding piece...not quite as "romantic" sounding as the C-J stuff, but will give you that "tube magic".

I would go for,the C.J. MV-75 plenty of bang for the buck.

another cj vote. i'm a former mv55 owner (recently upgraded to cj monos) and would highly reccomend the mv55, as well as the older 75 (i've listened to, but not lived with, one). the cj sound is wonderfully warm, musical and engaging. since in integrated a tube amp into my system, a cj tube amp, my acoustic & femal vocal collection has grown exponentially. cj equpiment really brings out the best in acoustic and femal vocals, as well as jazz. good luck.

I would also go with Conrad Johnson for that "tube" sound. I like their amps, though have never owned one myself, and the company has a good rep and should always be around if you were to need them. The Decware, though cute, would not push your speakers. Many tube amps, surprisingly enough nowadays do not really have a tube sound to them, though I do not find this to necessarily be a fault and the CJ's do still sound like tubes. Another amp that I have zero experience with, but that looks interesting is the more powerfull EL34 based amp from Music Reference. Anyone have first hand experience with this unit?

Probably one of the best deals out there would be to find a used Quicksilver GLA. Low maintenance. Auto biasing. Well built and sounds great. No longer made but desirable and occasionally for sale.