Integrated amp for tube lover


Downsizing and looking for an integrated amp of 100 or more watts/ channel that will satisfy a tube lover. Not many tube integrated amps fit that power requirement, but open to tube or solid state. Considering Krell K300i, CODA CSiB, Boulder 866 (doubt that it is "tube-like" enough), and Gryphon Diablo 300 (more expensive than I’d like). Can use separate phono and/or DAC. Thoughts on these or others?

hedwigstheme

the CODA is disqualified if you like amplifiers with high damping factors. That is important for cone control and linear throw of drivers to lead to no change in frequency response of speaker at various impedance loads

unless you don't index for damping factor @hedwigstheme 

anyway, my recommend is two of this monoblock - Purifi 1ET9040BA Eigentakt Premium Monoblock Amplifier PET1200M

High damping factor - >1000 (which is class leading even though it has reasonable cost)

Power delivery into 2, 4 and 8 ohm loads is also class leading (375W into 8Ω, 750W into 4Ω, and 1200W into 2Ω per monoblock) and it sounds incredible. Doesn't have tube harmonics but it allows music to shine through without getting in the way of the emotion of the music

and the best thing, saves you a lot of money whilst being built like tanks (and the two monoblocks will actually be still more compact in terms of mass than any of the above whilst delivering more power effectively with TOTL efficiency

you can get a Tube Preamp just to output to it if that is something you fancy. I can recommend one too

BAT VK-3500 at closeout prices or previous VK-3000SE, both SS amp with tube pre (not simply tube buffer)...Aesthetix Mimas- fully tube

I too am a big fan of the A100 amp.  I do not recall the model numbers of the Allnic gear I’ve heard, but there stuff also sounds good.