Looking to move to a Tube Integrated setup


I'm moving from solid state class D to a Tube Integrated amplifier and have narrowed it down to (2). The Ayon Scorpio II w/KT150's and the PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium HP w/KT120's. Does anyone have any experience with either or both of these they can share. Recommendations? Others I should consider in the $3K to $6K range? My speakers are relatively efficient at 98dB.

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I agree with freediver except I like DHTs.  Now that I know what speakers you have, I especially recommend an SE DHT amp.

Those tube amps are likely overkill for 98db speakers.  What is the make and model of the speakers?

I would look seriously at the AudioResesrch I-50. If your moving from as then this is probably the musical sound you are looking for. Very natural, outstanding rhythm and pace with great detail. Built like real audiophile equipment. I own PrimaLuna and my main system is Audio Research. The ARC is in a different class.

I do listen to a wide variety of music. Classica, choral and jazz to blues, country and rock

With your speakers you need to be looking at something Single Ended(1 pair of output power tubes),Pure Class A..If you listen to strictly vocal/elevator/pipe & slippers music the 300B is the way to go..If you listen to a variety of music then KT88/KT120/KT150/KT170 would get the call...There is also Single Ended Class A EL34 but I prefer the bass & mid bass of the Pentode tubes..
There are several manufacturers making such amps like Mastersound Icona,Icon Audio ST30SE,Unison Research Preludio,Rogers Audio 65V2 & the Lab 12 Suono Mk.II...

Yes, better sound was what my ears perceived. Also true regarding the primaluna bridging, though the unit I’m considering has KT120’s already, and as my main speakers are full range and 98dB at 1 watt, I don’t really think I’ll need to do dual mono, though it is a nice option.

@jond You know the old saying around assuming..... Speaking only about my own experience, I too got the bug to move to tube equipment. I wanted to enjoy the better sound. I have owned the TRX-M845 mono blocks from Triode Audio of Japan, and more recently the REX 3 mono blocks from Balanced Audio Technology. After countless hours of A-B comparing, over several months, neither myself or anyone else who joined in could discern any improvement or really any difference between the tubes and my Hegel H30 SS mono blocks. Well that is not fully accurate. We all could tell the difference in the tremendous amount of heat the tubes put off. And I could tell the difference in cost as I fell down the rabbit hole of chasing the elusive improvements changing tubes promised. Got all that out of my system and will be sticking with the Hegels. In good conscience, and given the high quality of today’s SS amps, I would not encourage anyone to change to tube amps. But hey, that comes with a huge IMHO. Cheers.

Think long, both allow you to try various tube types, which definitely sound different, Ayon is a beauty to look at, never heard one.

I see that you can bridge the Prima Luna into Mono, so the option to double your tube power is there, much easier to try using EL34’s lower output each side, which you don't need now, but future speaker change? That option make make it easier to sell in the future.

Once you pick which unit, then ask again about members various tube experiences. I never had KT120's or 150's, I got hooked on tube sound with EL37's, then EL34's for years, now I am happily using KT88's with a Cayin A-88T which came with 6550's.

Running cool for long life makes a lot of sense.

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I've been using solid state for 40+ years and, from what I've listened to including a somewhat recent listen to the Ayon unit, find the of solid state diminished when compared. Plus, I'd just like to have something different. I'd be keeping my current SS unit anyway..