Recommendation Tube Integrated


At this juncture (nearly 2024) what are folks' best recommendagtion for a tube integrated amp.  Constraints would be $10K (preferrably $5K or less), at least 35 watts per channel.  New or used.  Goal would be smooth, creamy sound.  My current system, which I would consider very good solid state sound, can still be a little ...hard.... to my sensitive ears at times, and I'm thinking a tube option would be nice.  Thanks.

mathiasmingus

Showing 2 responses by pindac

I am UK based and have been fortunate to have been demo'd the VAC Phi Beta 110i on quite a few occasions, as a result of a friend owning one. 

I have been familiar with my friends system before the VAC was introduced and have heard it in use with both Vinyl and Digital Sources as well as ESL and Cabinet Speakers. 

Being a member of a HiFi Group and having meetings at different homes, I have heard other Amp's used in this system as well.

The VAC is not a Amp' that reveals an individual sensitives to frequency extremes. It is not bloated or overwhelming in the bottom end frequencies, neither is it a Lean Sounding Amp'. It is able to encourage long periods of listening without creating detractors. 

The VAC I am referring to can be found for sale on occasion, very close to your preferred $5K.

I feel very confident in use, it will be a very attractive experience and one happy to be lived with for a very long time. 

The chances of anybody contributing having heard the Lampizator Pacific, is quite slim. 

How the Pacific is. to Interface with a Valve Integrated, with potentially a Valve Pre Stage, is a wide open conjecture.

Tallking or writing about the assumption of how it will work, is a little bit Spooky, with $5K - $10K being a budget. 

I myself am a Valve DAC user, and Tube Rolling on the Power Amp and DAC, was required to dial in on the Sonic I was to become most attracted to. 

The support I have been given with Tube Rolling is not a commonly available experience. 

I strongly suggest the Amp > DAC to be tried in advance of a purchase.