I'm with Tom. I'm guessing patience and around a grand could get you a pretty nice amp used, and at 3500 (or maybe 4000k) makes for a lot of speaker options, new or used. I don't know enough about Zu to say if the house sound fits your taste in music, but I was impressed with the Superfly at RMAF (sadly, the top end hit my ears a bit hard). John
How to divide up $4,500, Amp/Speakers
I need a new back-end for my system (amp/speakers) and have around $4,500 to spend on used equipment.
Front end is VPI HR-X, Koetsu RSP, JMW 12.5 arm, Herron VTPH-2.
In this price range I think that an integrated tube amp would be better sonically but I am open to suggestions. My room is small (20x12x7.5) so I am tending toward smaller speakers.
I had a pair of Merlin VSM's long ago and either VSM's or TSM's might work well and also fall in this range used.
Assuming $2,000 used could get the Merlins what would be a good integrated tube amp that works well with them?
Main listening is New Orleans funk, blues, jazz and some classical.
Front end is VPI HR-X, Koetsu RSP, JMW 12.5 arm, Herron VTPH-2.
In this price range I think that an integrated tube amp would be better sonically but I am open to suggestions. My room is small (20x12x7.5) so I am tending toward smaller speakers.
I had a pair of Merlin VSM's long ago and either VSM's or TSM's might work well and also fall in this range used.
Assuming $2,000 used could get the Merlins what would be a good integrated tube amp that works well with them?
Main listening is New Orleans funk, blues, jazz and some classical.