Inexpensive tube amp

I can probably stretch my budget to around 500 or so. This is more of an experiment than need for an amp. I'm using an Vincet hybrid amp now and I have an old mf100 Conrad Johnson I can try as well. Another thought I'm having is a tube preamp with SS amp.

While not apples to apples this is what I'm using on my main rig with my Thiel speakers. There I run a BAT pre with a Parasound A21 amp with good results.

Thank you for all the suggestions. I'm looking into all of them.

zd542- I'm not sure what you mean by "gain" issues.

Both amps work. However the CJ sounds better to my ears if only a little darker.

I've decided to try the Music Paradise MP-301 MK3. Seems like a safe bet for my first venture into tubes. I'll keep this thread posted.

Ok, just got the amp and have been listening to it for about an hour.

First impressions, compared to the Acurus Ls-11 line stage pre and the Conrad Johnson mf-2100 I think in general it's a step down so far. But I suppose $400 integrated tube amp should not be able to compare to over $2000 worth of gear. But I guess I was hoping for a bit more.

The highs are generally smooth but have this harshness to them on some level. The highs are generally rolled off. I opted for the RCA tubes 6SJ7 in the pre section and 6L6's in the amp section.

The sound stage seems a bit closed in and the air around the instruments isn't there anymore.

Now these are first impressions. Maybe once the amp breaks in a bit or I throw some different tubes at it it will open up.

Not saying it's a bad piece, just not the equal of what it replaces.

Suggestions welcome.

Well granted this was an experiment, but one that was suppose to compliment Zu bookshelf speakers that by most accounts crave tube amplification.

This is my secondary rig so it allows to me experiment to some degree with too much risk.

I've read that the rca's I have are pretty good in this pre. I'm gonna try some Genelex Golden Lion KT88's to see what they do for me. They are suggested units.

I've been running in the amp all day, so I got a good 8 hours on it. I'm happy to report that it has opened up substantially. The highs have smoothed out as well.

One thing for sure,is that interconnects make BIG differences in sound. So finding the right one might be long road. Especially since any good interconnect will cost as much as the amp. The trick will be to find one that's inexpensive and works.

I will say I can see what all the fuss is about with tubes. The presence of the music can be really life like.

Ahhh but what fun is that. If you start making logical decisions like that you take all the beating your head against the wall and kicking yourself for making bad decisions out of the process.

Zd542 you make logical and concise arguments. As you usually do from other comments on other threads I've read. I have no counter argument with what you say. But I'm not looking for audio bliss out of this system. Just some fun and to dip my toes in the tube water so to speak. Without breaking the bank. That's what the main rig is for.

Just an update, I found some old Strait Wire interconnects I had stored away and threw them on. As luck would have it they seem to do the trick.

So I switched the amp tubes out for some Genalex Golden Lion KT88's and now it's really singing. A nice full sound that's smooth and musical. Tubes look nice too.

This little amp isn't too bad at all once you get the right tubes on it and let them burn in a bit!