Looking for 50-100 watts of Tube Power (give or take) for my JBL 4349s

@yogiboy, those look great! I will take a closer look.

@12many, I’m open to the idea, but I use to run a Decware CSP2+ in front of an Odyssey Khartago, and I don’t remember this combo having the soundstaging of a good tube amp. It was only one experience though, so I’m sure there are better examples to be heard.

@fthompson251, wow, 65watts of 300b power! I didn't know such a thing existed. What preamp did you use with this amp?

Beautiful gear, @fthompson251.

Thanks for rhe rec @artemus_5 -- I will check it out.

@ghdprentice, I'm very drawn to Audio Research. I think the 150SE is overkill, but the VT80SE might be perfect to start with. There is actually one for sale local to me for $4300.

No decisions until after Axpona!

@auroravengeance, the Torii is only 20wpc and the 4349s measure more like 89db sensitive. That said, even the 20 watts from the Torri Jr sound incredible through the 4349s -- no complaints at all. But I do know the 50 watts from the Muzishare and the 90 watts from the Denon bring something to the music I like a lot, especially with large-scale symphonic music. It’s not necessarily better than the Torri Jr, but different in a way that I like having it as an option.

I’m open to integrateds, but I’m surprised you think a $5000 amp paired with a $3000 preamp isn’t as good as integrateds in this price range? I’ll have to give that some thought.

@ohlala, which Mark Levinson amp?

@bluethinker, thanks for this! I’ve been looking at a lot of the 90s and early 2000s era CJ amps. I like that they have some high-power el34 based amps. It would allow me to justify expensive el34 quads since I’d be able to use them with both amps.

I’m probably leaning more toward the Audio Reseach sound, however.

Thanks to everyone for the additional reccomendations -- I will look into them all.

@auroravengeance, I was checking out the Lab 12 gear the other day -- looks really nice. I'm hoping to check them out at Axpona next month. I know they were there in previous years.

@yoyoyaya, ideally I would have the preamp sorted first, but I've been using integrateds for the last 12 or so years and don't have a power amp on hand to test preamps. I'll have to get pre and power sorted together this time, unless I decide to stick with an integrated.

There is a used LTA Z40+ integrated available local to me. I haven’t heard these in person but have read they’re great amps.

Any thoughts on a Benchmark la4 with Audio Research VT80SE vs the LTA Z40+?

@pdreher, I've pretty much taken the AR 150SE out of the running. It's way more amp than I need and would be expensive to retube. I am strongly considering the VT80SE, and from what I've read they're designed to be used with any ol' preamp. This makes sense considering it's AR's entry-level amp at $9,500 new, while their entry-level pre is $10,000. 

I will say the transformers on the VT80SE seem small. Compared to the Quicksilver monos especially.

@atmasphere, thanks, I will take a look closer at Class D options. I heard your monoblocks at Axpona last year and thought they sounded great.

@pdreher, I’m a bit intimidated by the VAC gear for the reasons you mention. The QS KT Monos are very tempting. I actually quite like the aesthetics -- they look all business. And it’s surprising how affordable they are. There’s a pair on US Audio Mart for $2800, which seems like a steal for so much amp.

A friend of mine runs a pair of Altec Lancings with McIntosh MC60 monoblocks. I really enjoy this system. Lots of used MC275s in my price range, too. I will give this some thought.