Integrated tube amp under $1000 / $2000


Recently a friend asked me which tube amp he could get used for $1000, I replied that maybe for $2000 he could get something decent but honestly I have no idea what to answer. As a matter of fact I told him for a 1000 he might better get SS than tubes. I have Atmasphere MA-1s myself. 
Can anyone provide some constructive advice of decent tube amps with acceptable quality for $1k (or up to $2k) to drive Klipsch speakers, trying to find out the exact model, I think he has Cornwalls.
Thank you in advance. 

Luis 
luisma31

Showing 1 response by sfar

I owned a Cayin A-50T for awhile and was very impressed with the build quality and sonics, this after owning tube amps from Dynaco, Rogue, AES and Cary. The updated model, the Mark II, adds a remote and the ability to use KT88 tubes in addition to the EL-34s used in the original. I bought mine with the stock tubes but re-tubed it with Gold Lion reissue KT77s and signal tubes which improved the already excellent sound. The original model like mine goes for around $800 used and the Mark II sells for $1,600 new.
I replaced the Cayin with a Raven Audio Blackhawk LE which is definitely better, at more than three times the price.
https://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/308cay/index.html
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0707/cayin_a_50t.htm