Recommend me a tube integrated amplifier

@erikt

I’ll try not to come off as a fanboy (I’m not actually, just a satisfied user) for Audio Note but your speakers are the real pearl in your system. The Super K’s are wired internally with $1,000 per meter cable and the crossovers are populated with top shelf parts. The resolution and transparency of which they are capable will surprise you. That’s why earlier in the thread I mentioned that you really haven’t heard what they are capable of. The Super K’s are perhaps $15k retail IIRC.

To piggyback on some earlier suggestions, the two integrateds that really stand out (that I have heard with these speakers) are the Leben cs300xs and the Audio Note OTO SE Signature. The Leben has more power and dynamic snap while also delivering lovely tone, texture and resolution. Its a push-pull design and deliver maybe 15wpc, so it does not meet the single ended (pentode) criteria you shared in a recent post. The Leben does perhaps give the false sense that it has more power in reserve than it actually does because so much of the potential volume comes on quite early on the volume pot. Responds very well to tube rolling and sounds great right out of the box with stock tubes. Hard to go wrong with this choice and it can be found preowned in/under your stated price range. An added bonus is it has a nice bass boost (the 1st click is nice, the second click-not so much) function. Robustly constructed like the heirloom piece that it is. A timeless amplifier that can be end game, depending on your sonic goals. The only downside is you really should utilize Switchcraft terminated interconnects.

The OTO SE Signature would come in above your stated budget of $4,000 preowned, so I won’t spend alot of time describing the sonic differences between the two other than to say it is better musically in every objective criteria than the Leben EXCEPT dynamically/power output. It is a paralell, single ended pentode design so you get a large helping of the SET flavor you mentioned earlier. It too can be an end game amplifier with the K’s if you can swing the additional $$$ and live with 10wpc vs 15wpc. The Leben responds more positively to tube rolling than the OTO...for instance, drop in a quad of NOS Mullard el84’s and a pair of NOS Mullard 12ax7’s and the Leben transforms....the OTO with that same set of tubes will sound flatter and somewhat lifeless. Circuit design differences (the OTO SE Signature has a true preamp stage, the Leben is passive with just switching and volume) I guess...neither is more right or wrong, just different.

Some arbitrary guesses...with your Luxman, you probably rarely leave its class A bias output to slide in to class A/B...so you are probably hearing (arbitrary guesses for comparison’s sake) 70% of what the Super K’s are capable of. With the Leben, you would probably hear 75% of their capability, with the OTO SE Signature, perhaps 80%. Add in a full set of complimentary (to your ears) Audio Note interconnects and speaker cables...perhaps you could reach 85%. To hit 90% and on up would likely require source upgrades and then next level Audio Note amplification.

Good luck with your next steps...its an itch worth scratching and you will always wonder if you dont. Its not for everyone but there are an awful lot of music lovers and musicians who wind up with Audio Note systems...however, the Leben will be easier to track down and carries with it alot of opportunity to explore the tube side of the hobby.

I second the Synthesis, Leben and Audio Hungary recommendations.  Another nice brand I have experience with is Triode Corp, Japan (not Triode Lab, Canada).  If you want to go even more upscale, Octave Audio makes some beautiful gear.

I have 3 tube integrateds:

1) Triode Corp TRV-35se (EL34s)

2) Leben CS600X (EL34s)

3) Synthesis Ensemble (EL84s)

I love all three.  The Synthesis drives my AN-E LX Signatures, and as others have already noted, they are a wonderful combo - really relaxed sound, without loss of detail.  No sub out on any of mine however.  

Love the thread. I have an Audio Note P2SE from 1997 which I really like. But what really drove me wild is the Audio Note Cobra- just amazing sound. Tight. If you have an Audio Note dealership in your area, they will drop one home for you to listen in your environment. That’s how I fell in love with it. 
 

another one that is doing the routines these days, but haven’t heard it myself is the Galion.

A tube preamp will get you in the right direction. Someone mention in a earlier post  Crutchfield will let you try it for 60 days if you don't like the sound return it. Hopefully they carry something you would be interested in.

 Someone mention in a earlier post  Crutchfield will let you try it for 60 days if you don't like the sound return it. Hopefully they carry something you would be interested in.

Cary Direct and Music Direct also have an audition period.  MD's is 60 days, I am not positive about Cary's.

The only integrated tube amp is the Magnet product.  Why you say, transformers that is why.  End of story.

I suggest the Don Sach’s Valhalla integrated tube amp.

http://www.dsachsconsulting.com/valhalla%20integrated.html

Lynn Olson, whom I met at Pacific Audio Fest in 2023, told me that he thought that the Valhalla amp was as good as $15k tube amps. I haven’t heard a lot of tube amps but I’ve heard a Cary amp, an LTA amp and a Rogers amp and there is no contest in my mind. I’ve also heard other audiophiles’ systems and I don’t think any of them sound better. The Valhalla amp, even though it puts out 33 wpc seems capable of driving most speakers very well, even 4 ohm speakers. Plus it has a decent remote, auto biasing, a balanced input and an easy way to check the biasing of the power tubes.

The Cary SLI 100 is exceptional. Right at that price point. Made in the USA. Yes , I own it. TRUE bang for buck. Couldn’t be happier. Good luck on your search

Had a PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP and it was pretty great especially with the high end tubes that you can't hardly get anymore.

Now I have a Linear Tube Audio Z40+ that is incredibly wonderful (especially with the high end tubes that you can't hardly find anymore)

Gutenberg says it's the best integrated he has ever reviewed, so there's that.

Used might not be that far out of your price range.

https://www.primaluna.nl/

I love mine. Stout power supply, great amp protection. 

Luxman hard to top 

I have a Luxman 550ax2 the baby 20w class an into my tannoy Arden beasts. 
 

only one I would consider is a allnic t2000 30th anniversary one ( the T-2000 30th Anniversary provides 120 watts per channel of push-pull, pentode power or more than 60 watts SET sounding watts in triode mode;…..)

https://allnicaudio.com/product/t-2000-30th/

icon audio is good bet but this is like that in Luxman attention to detail style 

Thanks for all of the great suggestions - I've got a lot of research to do!

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbaabb-triode-wire-labs-the-obsession-5ft-power-cord-15a-ac-cables

This is a nice amp - I've owned one of these at one time and really enjoyed it. I only got rid of it because of home downsizing.

I have the Audio Note Cobra with Audio note AZ Two Hemp speakers.    Absolutely musical . I cannot ask for more and I cannot fault the combo.  

VAC makes very nice integrated units and used ones can be found near your price range. Used VAC equipment will also hold their value in the future. You will have no regrets.

You have a wonderful system and the perfect integrated would be the Audio Note Cobra. We have had one for awhile, replacing our Quad amp when it finally died. The Cobra runs our 45-year old Quad ESL-57s perfectly, and they are picky about type of power. The Cobra is very musical, always pulling you back to listen a bit more. 

I will throw my hat in the ring and suggest the OP look at the Ars-Sonum Filarmonia SM used unit ($2,950) I have listed for sale right now here on Audiogon. Push-Pull Class A pentode 28W/ch EL34 magic. Not fancy feature wise (no remote, no subwoofer output  but there is no problem with connecting a sub to the speaker terminals via speaker level input). Great build quality and since I am the USA dealer/distributor for these amps I can offer a 90 day warranty on the amp (30 days on tubes) and will even extend a full 30 day trial period with full refund on the amp.

Self bias operation means you just hook it up, turn it on, and it makes (great music).  Sound is not stereotypical warm/mushy tubes and not solid state like sounding Audio Research. Clean, pure, great tone and soundstage.

Cheers - Rich

+1 for Rogue's Cronus Magnum iii, but upgrade to the Dark edition at your price range. I have the Dark edition paired with Maggie 3.7s and a Perlisten D15s sub, and I love the combination. 

@erikt

Here is a fantastic Cary SLI-80 for sale.

https://www.facebook.com/share/9WXq2VHhPitW2y3m/?mibextid=kL3p88

Thanks again for all the great suggestions.

I found an Audio Note OTO Line SE (Level 2) integrated with preouts that I'm purchasing.

More later once I have had a chance to give it a listen.

Someone mentioned the Octave that’s a very nice amp, I tried it before the Audio Hungary and they are different. AH is more of tube amp. Octave is more neutral. 

@erikt

An OTO with preamp outs??? Going back 20 years of versions of the OTO and I am not sure it was ever offered with preamp outs.

Make CERTAIN you are getting what you think you are.

@ghasley

It's legit if old (1998)

I echo the Cary SLI-100 option. The presentation is very well rounded, and there's lots of power to spare.

I echo the Cary SLI-100 option. The presentation is very well rounded, and there's lots of power to spare.

I just got another email today from Cary Direct advertising the SLI 100.

SLI 100

One more to overwhelm you.

Black Ice Audio

45 day trial period

Someone always answered the phone when I needed to speak to someone.

@erikt

I love the idea of an AN integrated for you. Are you getting the Oto thru an AN dealer?  Didn’t recommend cuz thought it would be tough with your budget.  Are you getting Oto thru an AN dealer?

Someone always answered the phone when I needed to speak to someone.

That is always worth considering.

There are HUNDREDS of great integ.  tube amps.....I'd try SUGDEN and for just the sound....Van Alstine amps are VERY musical with BIIIIIG Soundstage.

@mdalton

I got it used on a different audio forum at a very fair price based on age.

Waiting for delivery.

Prima Luna has some highly recommended and reviewed tube amps including their integrateds. I am very happy with their Dialougue Premium HP,  which is now the Evo 400 I think. I run it into Ohm Walsh 2000s and a Rythmik F12G from the preout. 

Luxman SQ-N150

BAT VK-80i is an excellent sounding unit, 55 WPC, built like a tank, beautiful work of art. 

Tomcat Audio.  The guy builds them himself, PTP.  They sound so great that I immediately sold all my nice PS Audio stuff.

@freediver I have not used integrated amps since my 1973 Yamaha CA 1000 which had 10 watts Class A switch (sounded great on chamber music).  If I were to get an integrated amp, I would probably prefer a Class A power type as I have been a life long tube user and currently switched to equivalent quality Westminster Labs REI Class A solid state monoblocks (50 years later).  I've heard very nice tube integrateds at shows.  My distributor/dealer sells the 8 different Trafomatic brand tube integrateds which I heard two models (SET & 100 watt push/pull) that sounded quite nice with modern tubes (not like Audio Note with really NOS non-manufactured tubes).  

I received the Audio Note OTO Line SE yesterday in good shape.  All the tubes are seated snugly in and an internal inspection shows everything is in good shape for a 1998 unit.  It's a legit AN unit.

I've cleaned up all the RCA, speaker, and power cable connectors with Deoxit.

I'm expecting some needed speaker cables hopefully today so I can have a listen later.

Hope you like it.  I love mine.

Got the OTO Line SE up and running.  I'm only using my Marantz SA-KI Ruby as a source as I'm still waiting on some interconnects to get my TT connected.

First impressions are that the OTO and my Luxman L-509x are more alike than different.  I'm not hearing a night/day difference in tonality, soundstaging, resolution. That speaks, to me, of the quality of both the OTO and the Luxman.

I was ready for 'dark' warm etc, but really the OTO is tonally balanced.  Yes, there is a teeny bit more body in the mid-range and the top end does sound a weensy bit softer, but overall I'd characterize the sonic presentation as relaxed and natural.

I've only started with some jazz at low/moderate levels - but it's a vg match to my AN-K/SPx SEs.

  You can't go wrong with Line Magnetic amps.

With proper interconnects I'm optimistic you'll be happy with this setup.

Raven Audio provides a relatively inexpensive Integrated tube amp that provides 20 solid watts with a sub out which relieves the amp of needing to pump out those low frequencies, Some positives are 1) Texas based company 2) The owners take personal care of each customer with service. upgrades. and all things tubes. 3) This Raven Audio Blackhawk is reliable and tube novice friendly, While 20 watts seemed too little. "tube" watts are stubborn things, Once they grab ahold of your speakers it holds tight. No headphone jack. But let me just say, (listening now) the realism or human quality to vocals is stunning. Very satisfying unit   

Quicksilver would be high on my list. 
 

Got my TT hooked up (Technics SL1200MK2, tonearm rewire/Cardas ICs, KAB tonearm damper, Isonoe feet, Audio Technica AT33Sa LOMC) up last week and have spent some time listening to some jazz LPs.

Wonderful sounding. I keep coming back to the feeling that the sonics are "relaxed" and "natural". I’ve yet to tax the OTO to see how loud it goes - no need so far as I can easily get room filling sound thru the AN-K’s. Very satisfying sound.

Audio research i/50 can be had used in your budget.

Margules 240i harder to find, but possibly similar price.

A Willsenton R8 will be cheaper even with tube rolling

if you are looking for transmitter tube integrateds (211s, 845s, 805s) you might find used Line Magnetic

I have a Line Magnetic 216ia and a Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III in a second audio system. Both can be see on my systems page. The LM Audio is designed and made in China and it’s great. A transformer went out once, but my dealer sent it to an authorized repair facility here in the USA. No problem getting it fixed. Push pull design and it punches way above its output which is like 26-32 wattts per side. The Rogue is a beast and is closer to 100wpc. I really like them both but the Rogue is made in PA and I live in OH, therefore getting it serviced shouldn’t be an issue. My vote is for Rogue Audio. I put in Gold Lion reissue tubes and NOS Sylvania in the preamp section. Sounds very sweet, detailed, organic with sufficient bass. I think there are many companies making really good tube amps. ARC, Cary, Decware and others. I would look at the reputation of the service each one offers. That’s a big part of the overall process that often gets overlooked.

@ghdprentice

I believe the Audio Research I-50 is a hybrid, not an all-tube integrated. I sold a Vsi60 a while back, and what I disliked  about it - despite its other sterling qualities - was that the sound was a bit "washed out" in the same way that Audio Research SP-11 preamplifier was back in the late '80, when I owned it. It certainly didn’t have the accurate tonal color of instruments the way they sound in any of the halls I frequented (Carnegie, The Metropolitan Opera, David B. Geffen (Avery Fisher at the time!) or the Baltimore Symphony Hall (Meyerhoff), and, if I’m on the West Coast, Davies Hall in San Francisco. The Vsi60 had some great qualities, to be sure, but tonal accuracy? I’m afraid not.

Maybe a Vsi 75 is a better candidate for an "integrated tube amp," perhaps?

Heard Synthesis amps with Audio Note, Harbeth, and ProAc speakers up at Deja Vu audio near DC and fell in love with the sound. I can't recall the model amps I heard that day but I was fortunate enough to get a good deal on a Synthesis A100 Titan from my local shop and it's a great sounding integrated amp, as I've mentioned elsewhere. 

@freediver

I had a Music Fidelity A1 for 10 years before i gave it to my sister. It’s a great little amp, but it doesn’t do what tubes do, which is to present a much more holographic presentation (assuming that that is what’s on the record). It is, however, very clear.

gbmcleod:

The AR i/50 is not a hybrid tube integrated. The audio signal path is all tube, push-pull design. 50W. The solid state elements are the panel controls and the Lexie tube displays. It has a headphone amp that may be solid state and optional solid state DAC and phono preamp modules. Hybrid implies that some components in the audio path are solid state (e.g. tubes in the preamp section but solid state in the amp or the reverse.) The i/50 has tubes in the driver and power sections.