Djh -
You've already received a lot of good input...I only risk boring you with my experience because it might help allay some of your concerns. I went to an integrated tube amp several years ago and haven't looked back. I didn't have all that much opportunity to audition live. Researched a lot on line and came across a TNT Audio review of the JoLida 502B. It was in my price range and carried by Community Audio in Phila. John the owner there spent several hours with me and my wife listening to music using a JoLida to drive a pair of Totem Hawks. I loved the sound. To my ear, more detail, better imaging and mid range presence - all in all, just a more satisfying listening experience than the solid state receiver I'd been using (Yamaha R-1000 bought in the early '80s. Carver electronics, current switching, 100W/channel and well-reviewed at the time). You can say I didn't have a good basis for comparison given that I was coming from an admittedly NOT high end starting point, none the less, let me also note that a good friend who had a succession of solid state amps including (finally) a Krell (sorry don't recall model except that it weighed a ton and had output current sufficent to perform electrocutions) is now running an Audio Research tube amp. To make a long story short, the owner let me audition the JoLida at home with my own speakers. Ultimately, I bought the 502B from him. It isn't auto bias but if you can read directions you can bias this amp. I bought an inexpensive multimeter from Sears and after some initial anxiety found that it is easy. I'm not so much trying to tell you JoLida is the way for you to go - though I'd at least recommend you read the TNT Audio review - more that I think you will really enjoy "tube sound". By the way, the 502B is rated at only 60 or 65 watts and I'm using it with Totem Forests that are rated at 87 db efficiency. Sound levels are adequate. Given my budget and based on feedback to an inquiry I posted on A'gon, more "loud" is going to take a move to more efficient speakers (but I really love the Forests) or going to a hybrid (tube pre, ss power - as I understand it). The JoLida is staying for now. Good luck in your decision.
You've already received a lot of good input...I only risk boring you with my experience because it might help allay some of your concerns. I went to an integrated tube amp several years ago and haven't looked back. I didn't have all that much opportunity to audition live. Researched a lot on line and came across a TNT Audio review of the JoLida 502B. It was in my price range and carried by Community Audio in Phila. John the owner there spent several hours with me and my wife listening to music using a JoLida to drive a pair of Totem Hawks. I loved the sound. To my ear, more detail, better imaging and mid range presence - all in all, just a more satisfying listening experience than the solid state receiver I'd been using (Yamaha R-1000 bought in the early '80s. Carver electronics, current switching, 100W/channel and well-reviewed at the time). You can say I didn't have a good basis for comparison given that I was coming from an admittedly NOT high end starting point, none the less, let me also note that a good friend who had a succession of solid state amps including (finally) a Krell (sorry don't recall model except that it weighed a ton and had output current sufficent to perform electrocutions) is now running an Audio Research tube amp. To make a long story short, the owner let me audition the JoLida at home with my own speakers. Ultimately, I bought the 502B from him. It isn't auto bias but if you can read directions you can bias this amp. I bought an inexpensive multimeter from Sears and after some initial anxiety found that it is easy. I'm not so much trying to tell you JoLida is the way for you to go - though I'd at least recommend you read the TNT Audio review - more that I think you will really enjoy "tube sound". By the way, the 502B is rated at only 60 or 65 watts and I'm using it with Totem Forests that are rated at 87 db efficiency. Sound levels are adequate. Given my budget and based on feedback to an inquiry I posted on A'gon, more "loud" is going to take a move to more efficient speakers (but I really love the Forests) or going to a hybrid (tube pre, ss power - as I understand it). The JoLida is staying for now. Good luck in your decision.