power amp or integrated?--tube of course

the bat amp is a good choice. if you want intregated, cj and vtl build nice ones. i would rather have seperates. good luck.

Jim, sorry to confuse the issue with one more consideration. Even though it's retail price is above your stated amount, Mark Levinson's Red Rose group has a new tube integrated that I hear is spectacular. I'm a solid state guy (Plinius 8150), but when the time comes to upgrade my int. amp, I know where I'm headed - tubes!

Happy listening.
Joel

Hi,
My humble opinion is surely pre-amp and power-amp seperate will be better. Higher flexiblity and up-gradability. Bi-amping is also possible in the future.
I am a solid state guy several years ago, I use the Accuphase E-203 integrated amp before, and I had shop over the market didn't find something suitable, until one day I come along the "Space-Tech Lab. " products, I goto their showroom and just want to take a listen. Surprisingly those amplifiers sounds terribly great, then I bring my TANNOY speaker to their shop and listen with their system, that speaker never sound so good before , just like vanished in the air, surrounded by music. Fully transparent and liquid. I am a professional consultant for live music show, I know that's what I am looking for in my life time, so I kept buying pre-amp, two power amps, 512x DA converter and even their speakers in the pass few years. Until now, I didn't hear anything can compare with that. Their web site address is "http://www.space-tech-lab.com" . I will tell everyone in the world about that company when I know people looking for tube amplifiers, for they are so damn good sounding.

Good Luck. Frank

I would also highly recommend the BAT VK60. Sounds and looks great. I just happen to have one here for sale. Reason for selling is only to get a ss amp with lots of power for some inefficient speakers i'm planning to buy.

I would strongly suggest you have a listen to the new integrated from Audio Analogue - the Maestro. I think it will retail at $4500, and even though it is solid state, it is the smoothest sound i have ever heard. And it can drive any speakers...and i mean any, flawlessly.