Moving to Tube Separates or Tube Integrated + Phono

Your going to get a ton of replies all over the map so I’ll keep this simple & based purely on my own experience..
 Stick to an ALL tube rig,IMO you lose around 20% of the tube magic going hybrid..
 I prefer integrated amps,they are fully optimized to act as a single unit,eliminating the subconscious doubts of the synergy between choosen components & IMO the elimination of an extra I/C & power cable are big positives..
 Note most integrated tube amps are MM Phono only so if you need MC pay close attention to that function of whatever you choose..
 I would also recommend that you pay attention to how many tubes are used in the design,with the minimal approach of Single Ended(2 power tubes)Class A being,IMO,the Pinnacle of all tube sweetness!
 If you go Push Pull,don’t discount a smaller EL84 design like Luxman SQ-N150,which offers MM & MC Phono input,superb headphone circuit & plenty of power for the Cornwalls..With an EL-84 amp your wallet will also thank you when it comes time for a retube,which these days can get VERY expensive,VERY fast!!!
 Good luck...
PS:I’m a big fan of Cayin & there is an awesome deal on a CS-55A(which also has a decent built in USB-DAC) listed on that other site USAudiomart(NOT mine)..
 

Thanks, freediver! I definitely have a SET 300B on my mind for the Cornwalls, but again, a little confused on whether that would just be the preamp or the phono pre etc. Not too many integrated tube amps with phono stage and single ended 300B that I've seen.

 One thing I forgot to mention..Pay VERY close attention to HOW THE POWER TUBES ARE BIASED after replacement..Some amps require you to flip it upside down,open the bottom,exposing everything inside,locating the biasing pots & test points,POWERING UP THE AMP(VERY DANGEROUS) & trying to bias the amp while maintaining the test leads to their test points..This is a MAJOR PITA & IMO,a HIGHLY dangerous way to do things..

Wow!  That is very good general advice from Freediver.  I am also a big fan of EL 84 amps of modest power output.  That tube can be utilized in pretty modest amps to great result.  For the same reason I like 6L6 amps and KT 66 amps.  Vintage amps can be extremely good and cheap, but, the problem is it takes experience and know how to get the best out of them; it is not that easy to be a rookie tubie.  If you have access to a shop that can give you help, that would be the way to go. 
 

Tube gears varies much more than do solid state amps.  Some tube amps are leaner sounding than most solid state amps—whether that is good or bad depends on your set up and taste.  You should try to hear as many examples as you can to get a better idea about what to get.  The other approach is the way most of use to slowly get where we want to be—trial and error with fun, but also painful, substitutions over many years.

I have an all tube system with the exception of my digital streamer, It started many years ago with Dynaco separates, then went to Sonic Frontiers, then Aesthetix, culminating now to all modern Conrad Johnson. I also have as a back up, a pair of the big Bryston 28B SST monoblock amps, but it's been a couple of years since I last rotated them into use. I thoroughly enjoy what tubes bring to my listening enjoyment, In my opinion, modern tube gear offers greater detail in the music than say an old Fisher, Dynaco, CJ, etc... There's nothing wrong with old gear, it's just warmer sounding and more rolled off in the high notes than what modern tube gear provides, Again IMO. One of my favorite things about tube gear is that you can tailor it to your liking by rolling tubes, vintage or new, at will. Over the years I've gained a large collection of my favorite vintage tubes from various Euro and domestic manufactures so I am not going all SS any time soon.

"how much of the tube goodness from the integrated comes through when playing vinyl? "

As mentioned earlier, another anecdotal experience- tube phono stage to complete the tube presentation to the speakers.

Your brand choices are solid. Not one will have all features, so research all of them.

The upper level integrated amps within the group will be closer to separates in performance. 

Used can get higher level for less with research.

Quicksilver is okay stuff but there is better out there.

OP Buy a tube phono pre and any standalone phono pre will be better than the built in available from most manufacturers.

Schiit maybe a good fit. I would buy one if it was balanced.

https://www.schiit.com/products/stjarna

I run all tubes and for sure you can tell the difference between a SS phono stage and a tube one.  That doesn't mean you lose the tube sound, it's just more pronounced with the tube stage and only discernable if you can get then side by side.  That being said, your phono stage will influence the sound more than the amp IMO.

My phono stage is a hybrid (Modwright).

I would look at boutique builders like Burgess, Tarta, etc instead of commercial brands.  I paid less than $2k for a Burgess 2A3 set with a volume control so I didn't use a pre.  The good thing about purchasing from a builder is you get to talk to them about building your system.

Aric Audio builds great Tube gear and can customize builds, all tube gear.  LTA (Linear Tube Audio makes outstanding Tube Gear.  Both make Integrated Units, those would be my go to’s.  If you want simplicity, really easy maintenance Primaluna via Upscale Audio is worth a look, I owned the Evo 400 integrated, rock solid but I would say leans more toward a Solid State ish sound profile than Aric or LTA. 

Hey all,

this discussion is really helpful. I am in the situation where I am about to upgrade my speakers but also really looking to have less gear and an integrated is intriguing. 
 

I currently have SF Electa Amitor ii’s and either going to get some used  sf serifino g2’s or the Franco Serblin Accordo essences. Not apples to apples speakers but they both sound amazing to me. I have also had an arc 160s and 6se that have been great. Both lovely pieces of tube gear but just too physically big. I have debated the tube pre and ss power setup but I just prefer to stay with tubes. 
 

I also got an Ayon audio cd/dac that can act as a pre if I want to. It sounds good with decent function. 
 

given the gear I have, do you think I would be happy with an integrated? Or maybe just get a tube amp and run the Ayon as my pre? Of course with separates, you can always change later, but an integrated would help me lose a box and potentially get something smaller overall. Running the Ayon as a pre would of course give me 1 less box and open up lots of amp options. 
 

I personally have really enjoyed being specific with my phono preamp and would not consider running with the phono pre in an integrated unless it was fantastic. 
 

thanks. 

@mbarmash as you are new here a word of advice..You should probably start your own thread as opposed to inadvertently hijacking this one...

I did not feel that my question was a high jack as I was generally asking the same think about tube separates vs integrated, but sure.