2. amps-preamps
  3. 192404-111267

Retirement integrated amp for a “fiscal conservative”

I’ve taken the plunge and am now enjoying the 2nd week of retirement after 44 years of work, including 42 years with the company I just retired from.  
 

One of the retirement goals I’m really looking forward to is spending much more time enjoying music with my main system!

I’ve pretty much gone digital (but do have a Linn Sondek LP12 to enjoy LPs purchased in the 60’s - 80’s). 

My system consists of a Rose 150B streamer/DAC and a Primaluna CD player for digital playback. I use a Roon Nucleus for Roon/Tidal new music research and listening. Speakers are original Joseph Audio Perspectives. 
 

I enjoy all types of music, but mostly listen to jazz (preferably smooth but am exploring all of the various forms of jazz). 
 

I’m currently using a Primaluna Dialogue HP Premium integrated amp which I’ve enjoyed for many years. Here’s where the “fiscal conservative” part comes in; this amp has 8 power tubes. Even with Primaluna’s great low tube stress design concept, I’m not looking forward to replacing power tubes every couple years with my retirement bonus listening time. Also, I’d like to get additional damping factor bass control than my current amp provides. I love the tube midrange and treble range sound, but would like an upright bass to sound more like a wood instrument (hard to describe in words) and hear more natural note attack and decay
 

I’d like to get ideas/advice from A’gon music enjoyment experts on a replacement integrated that still provides the acoustic sound of tubes, but doesn’t require new tubes every couple years/2,000 hours and is a great match to enjoy jazz on the rest of my system which I plan to keep. I’m open to used or new with a cap of say $8,000. 
 

Thank you in advance for your thoughts and suggestions. 
 

Eric

ezstreams
curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,752 posts
 

The new Hegel H400 Integrated is supposed to be great.  I have the H390, the model the H400 replaced and it is pretty amazing.  Very quiet, very fast and a bit on the warm side.  Another thought is to look at a Hybrid,  where the input section has a couple of tubes and the output is SS. In my main listening room, I went with PS Audio.  Their BHK preamp and the BHK Signature 300 and or the new 600’s all have two tubes in them. Currently I’m using NOS RCA Cleartop 12au7’s paid $100 for a matched  pair from Brent Jesse and in the amps, I’m currently using some new Gold Lion 6922’s that I paid $140 for matched pairs.

All the best.

auroravengeance's avatar
auroravengeance
135 posts
 

I am going to second the suggestion of Lab12 Integre4. 

I am using it for my main system and the realism of the instrument is incredible. It certainly renders cello and double bass more accurately compared to all other amps I have heard so far. I am using 4 KT170s, will cost around $500 to replace, but supposedly Lab12 claims their design will prolong tube life significantly. One and half year of heavy usage with this amp, and so far, the tubes are still working perfectly. If tube cost replacement is a concern, you can always go with a quad of 6CA7 or EL34, which will cost around $100-120.

Another option you can consider is a hybrid design. Pathos Inpol2 MK2 is a hybrid pure class A with tube pre. Just slightly more than your $8K budget. 

bassbuyer
115 posts
 

You’ve received a lot of great suggestions and at 8K you are beyond my budget.  Good for you!  Just wanted to say welcome to the club and hope you enjoy your retirement!  Music is a great hobby to grow old with in my experience.  

grislybutter
3,105 posts
 

@bassbuyer agreed, I will save this post, great list/recommendations. If ever I will have anywhere near this budget, not that I am not happy now

tcutter
107 posts
 

The Vinnie Rossi Brama mentioned above is way above your budget. His previous series included an integrated amplifier, L2i- SE, which established the design  with a 300B tube preamp section and a Mosfet solid-state amplifier section. Depending on the add-ons, it will still set you back between 10 and $12,000. Very nice sound and outstanding domestic construction.

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