Tom, keep an eye out for a used Joule Electra VAMP integrated amp. Joule sold these for $3,800 new and Jud (Joule) lost money on every one he sold. I stole mine for $1,000 and I it is a keeper. I actually need to sell it to free up money for a preamp for my main system but I can't bring myself to do it. It's too damn good.
I am very familiar with the Joule products (own a VZN80 OTL amp). The midrange of the VAMP is killer. It works very well with my Merlins VSMs. Think midrange similar to his OTL with control/convenience of solid state. Solid state is not supposed to sound like this. The highs are not as extended as the OTL. (What is?) When I get some time I am going to roll a few tubes in it. It comes with a remote, multiple inputs, etc. etc. I'll put it to you this way. If I were forced to get rid of the VZN80 and run the VAMP I could get by and still experience world class audio.
A classic piece of audio equipment.
Another poster mentioned Aronov. I have owned an Aronov amp and did not like it at all with the Merlins.
Best of luck.
Jim
I am very familiar with the Joule products (own a VZN80 OTL amp). The midrange of the VAMP is killer. It works very well with my Merlins VSMs. Think midrange similar to his OTL with control/convenience of solid state. Solid state is not supposed to sound like this. The highs are not as extended as the OTL. (What is?) When I get some time I am going to roll a few tubes in it. It comes with a remote, multiple inputs, etc. etc. I'll put it to you this way. If I were forced to get rid of the VZN80 and run the VAMP I could get by and still experience world class audio.
A classic piece of audio equipment.
Another poster mentioned Aronov. I have owned an Aronov amp and did not like it at all with the Merlins.
Best of luck.
Jim