The Dream of a Valve Amp, Halcyon days they were to.
I have owned Phono Pre > Pre Amp > Power Amp Combinations for many years and have never wished for anything different.
I have attended many events both Commercial and Enthusiast and have heard a vast amount of Valve equipment.
I also am fortunate to be able to listen to Valve Amp's in other systems from,
OTL Power Amp's, Vintage Sansui Integrated, EAR Power Amp and a new Amp on the seen being a VAC Integrated.
What I have learned is that a Valve Amp has two masters, one who loves a loose bass line that lingers and others that prefer theirs taut with a speedy decay and cut off.
A Valve Amp can be chosen to deliver a Voluminous Roof Filling Sound which is very attractive to somebody who does not become detracted by a noticeable Bass Bloom being perceived, and one that smears the lower frequencies in a replay.
For those who have a problem with a presence of a noticeable Bass Bloom, the journey to discover methods to reduce the noticeable presence has with it an uphill climb, as equipment will need to be carefully matched to reduce the presence, which can result in a period of exchanges of devices.
It really is case of 'what's your poison', or in another context, 'what poison is to be discovered that is yours'.
I have struggled mostly with Pre-Amp's over the years, there is to my perception an injection of richness from these devices, which can increase the richness of the lower registers, in cases to the point the Bloom in the Bass is quite present.
I believe it could be the reason why some prefer the Valve Pre with a SS Power Amp, as the injection of richness, suits as a device for reducing the SS traits that can be fatiguing.
If a Tube Pre is the desired amp, and a performance that offers a transparency is on the wish list, there is a Amp that is well within budget and is a modern take on a Valve Amp.
For the past few years, I have had a Nelson Pass Korg B1 used in my system and this has a synergy that has been extremely pleasing and has made a very positive impression on guest listeners.
To give it further credit, the EAR Amp owner had a EAR 864 Pre on a home loan, and the Korg B1 in a very basic build guise was demonstrated along side it. The outcome is such that the EAR Amp owner has a Korg B1 produced with upgrade components.
The Korg works in manner that is triode like, I have now heard a Korg B1 used in multiple systems and I can only sing its praises.
As said and should be able to be acquired well within budget.