2. amps-preamps
  3. 1259257870

Recommendations for a small tube amplifier?

I have a modest office system for near-field listening that I spend a lot of time with and have been gradually evolving over the last couple of years.

I'd like your advice about a tube power amp to use with a pair of JohnBlue JB3 single-driver speakers and a NuForce Icon used as a DAC and preamp.

Preferences would be for a small footprint and the use of fairly common output tubes. I have a box full of EL34's, KT88's and 6L6 tubes I could use but would be open to other easily found tubes like EL84's.

I don't need a lot of power, the 12 watt Icon has plenty of power for the JB3's. Bass isn't a major consideration since I have the NuForce W1 subwoofer in the system.

I'd be open to building an amp from a kit, my first piece of audio gear was a Dynaco SCA-35 I built when I was 19.

One option I've looked at is the Sophia Baby but I'd like other ideas, as well. I'd like to spend $400 or less if possible.

Thanks for your help.
sfar

Showing 7 responses by sfar

sfar's avatar
sfar OP
1,771 posts
 
Lars - yes, I want a power amp, not an integrated, thanks.
sfar's avatar
sfar OP
1,771 posts
 
Pubul57 - thanks for the RM10 recommendation. It looks like a great amp but I think I'd be lucky to find one for $400 since the new price is $2,000.

Lak - I'll look around at any options that come up but thanks for letting me know about your amp. I may be back in touch.

Buconero117 - thanks. Is there a power-amp-only version of the Cayin 50T? I can find links only to an integrated amp.
sfar's avatar
sfar OP
1,771 posts
 
Mrovnak - that's great information about the Sophia amp, thanks very much.

Did you install the cap upgrades yourself or is it necessary to have Sophia do the work?
sfar's avatar
sfar OP
1,771 posts
 
Kana813 - the Dodd amp looks very nice, and I do have an SLA battery around I used for a modified T-amp, but since the Dodd is a brand new product I don't think I'm going to find one at anywhere near my budget. I'd love to hear one, though.
sfar's avatar
sfar OP
1,771 posts
 
Pryso and Onemug - thank you very much for the recommendations of the Almarro and Glow integrateds. Is there something similar you could recommend in a power amp? I'm quite happy with the NuForce Icon as a preamp and DAC and wasn't really looking to replace it with another integrated.
sfar's avatar
sfar OP
1,771 posts
 
Thanks again for the good information, everyone.

The Almarro, Dared and the Glow amp sound like interesting options. It's true that the JohnBlue JB3's are not very efficient, the 12 watts of the Nuforce Icon seems to be just enough but a little less tube power would probably suit them fine in my office space.

They're incredible speakers, by the way, and one of the reasons for wanting to retain the Icon as a DAC and preamp is that the combination of the JB3's and the little Nuforce subwoofer is pretty remarkable.
sfar's avatar
sfar OP
1,771 posts
 
911audio - thanks, yes, I had a Rogue Cronus integrated for awhile but didn't find it as nice sounding as the AES/Cary amp I had and it seemed to really push the tubes much harder, particularly the input tubes.

You're right, the service from Rogue was exemplary and I would recommend them to anyone as a great company to deal with. Is there a Rogue power amp you would recommend that's close to my budger?
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