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Need Help: Integrated 'Tube' Amplifier for Arros

After numerous purchases, hours spent agonizing and trying to decide on that 'perfect' setup, I decided to take a step back and decide what is really important to me--the music.

I've owned five different speaker setups ranging from $1500 to $15,000. I asked myself a very simple question. What setup gave me maximum musical enjoyment? Not material pleasure or the conceited material idealization of certain products. But instead actual contentment in my current spatial and financial situation.

So I am going back to a system built around Totem Acoustic Arros. When I owned them I was content, happy and had no desire to upgrade for a long time (at least until I finished school). I had to sell them for personal reasons but I now have the resources to build a system that will be the cornerstone of my living room for the next 4-5 years.

I need help for the amplifier. My criteria is as follows...

Must be integrated
Must be tube
Minimalist design: source, volume and balance controls

Prefer it with, but not necessary...

Remote
Headphone jack
Phono stage

I bet all you guys are saying, "EASY, I can name 20 amps off the top of my head that fit that criteria". Well not so fast, here is the biggest thing of them all...

It has to be MADE IN NORTH AMERICA OR EUROPE

No Chinese please!
baroque_lover

Showing 1 response by sufentanil

sufentanil's avatar
sufentanil
782 posts
 
My favorite tube amp with the Arro's is the Jolida 302b. It really makes the Arro's image at their best.

But I agree with other posters that you shouldn't necessarily discount solid state amplification. I've heard it said that Sim equipment goes well with Totem, though I haven't personally listened to that combination. I'll second the Plinius suggestion above, and also add options such as Music Hall Mambo and a Classe integrated (such as the CAP-151).

Michael
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