Retirement integrated amp for a “fiscal conservative”

Sugden A21SE Signature.

Well, you might really enjoy a hybrid integrated that used tubes in the preamp section but solid state amplification so you get the best of both worlds and the tubes last a long time and are relatively cheap — best of both worlds. Here are a couple just as an example, but they have other more powerful models you can explore as well. Best of luck.

https://verdantaudio.com/products/unison-research-unico-90-integrated-amplifier

https://upscaleaudio.com/products/pathos-logos-mk-ii-tube-hybrid-integrated-amplifier

Here’s a powerful used Unison amp…

https://www.ebay.com/itm/365287400522

I don't buy tube amps that need 8 tubes. Then too, my speakers are 93.5db efficient Joseph doesn't list the efficiency of theirs. But from my memory I believe they used to be about 88. IOW you may need the extra 4 tubes. Rogue makes an ST-100 that uses 4 KT 120's. which has 100 wpc. It is an A rated amp from S'phile and other good reviews. I have never heard it so take it FWIW.

Also your speakers only go to 35 hz. You may want to consider a (or 2) subwoofers. I am very fond of Rel. A sub does more than just give added bass. It effects the whole spectrum and makes your main speakers sound better as well. You may consider the sub before moving from the Primaluna

that's a nice $ for an integrated. I could only tell you what's good (great) for a third of that. Simaudio, Hegel, Moonriver, Van Alstine would be on my list

I owned that same Prima luna amp for a short while.  I would agree that replacing 8 power tubes could get tiring.

Before suggesting options to consider, I have a question for you.  Did you ever find the pairing of this amp with your speakers to be a bit bright or have any edge on some recordings??

These are some of the top solid state integrateds that will possess the tonality you are interested in, that won’t break the bank, and will likely last decades.

-Luxman L-509X on used market around 6K

-Luxman L-509Z a bit more for the latest model.

-Simaudio 700i V2;

-Hegel 390 or 590 ( check out latest models too)

-Coda CsiB V1

-Pass Labs INT 60 (maybe a touch warm and might not have the last word in that woody timbre but it’s a sweet sounding amp across the board).

Congratulations on your retirement!!

Luxman make some great solid state amps that I would consider retirement amps. Also Hegel, but I think I like Luxman more since the reputation is very good..

Belles makes outstanding integrated amps. I have owned the Aria and it was as good as some separates that I have owned. It is a high current design with a high damping factor of 2000. Check out the many positive on line reviews!

https://powermodules.com/

What is your budget ?
Vinnie Rossi Brama Integrated Generation 1. 300B tubes that last 10000 hours. ( this is what I have )

Reach out to Mr. Vinnie Rossi if you can’t find one on the used market.

vinnie@vinnierossi.com

It should be your endgame integrated amp.

Agree the Belles Aria Signature is awesome...there are also many threads about combining tube preamps with solid state amps or using low powered tube amps...BAT makes some great integrated amps that are SS amp and tube preamp...

Congratulations on making it to the finish line.

"I’m not looking forward to replacing power tubes every couple years with my retirement bonus listening time"

I've use the same model for 8 years. Naturally, YMMV always applies, but good power tubes(USA NOS) have lasted 5 years in mine- that's with extended daily driving.

"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"

That's achieved with recording quality,room and speaker placement. 

I'd reward myself with something from Audio Research, VAC or similar pedigree to get that last bit of refinement.

Enjoy retirement  in good health.

Accuphase has some excellent integrated amps in your price range.  McIntosh has several as well, some with autoformers and others direct coupled as well as hydrid tube and SS.

@maxwave it says in the post: $8000

@grislybutter 

OK ,  thanks .

I had not  seen  it .

@ezstreams

If you choose BAT tube integrated amp. , there is a Audiogon member that

is an authotised dealer. In USA

How about one of the Leben integrateds?

Maybe:

PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid Integrated - tube pre, SS amp

LAB12 Integre4 - 4x KT150 power tubes but great sonic performance 

Krell K-300i solid state which has sliding ibias for midrange warmth.

Linear Tube Audio's integrated amps have tubes that last long time.

Bel Canto.  

Heaven-11 Billie.

Choose wisely. I happily upgraded my system right before and after retiring. Both were upgrades and musical with more tubes. One thing you really don’t want to do is make your system more flashy sounding (I’m thinking Luxman as an example)… make you focus your attention on the system. That is great when you are working because you have only a small amount of time to listen. But after retirement you may have more time, it’s likely you want the music to be pulling you to your system. You probably will want your system more musical. It would be easy to run away from tubes and find you also don’t want to listen to the music.

I have nearly fifty tubes in my system. They require changing every 3,000 hours. That’s over three years. If you have a spare pair your set for six years… that’s a long time. Maybe wait until you retire and start listening and determine your actual fiscal situation. I was extremely conservative the first couple years and then happily realized I could do the biggest upgrade I ever did. I could not be happier. I have to drag myself away from my system after listening for two or three hours each day. 

Bel Canto

Ayre

Aesthetix

When I was in the market last year a dealer let me hang out and listen to Ayer EX-8  connected to Sonetto VII. I can’t stop thinking about it.

Congrats on your retirement!!! 42 years in one company …wow!

Integrated amps around $8,000

Boulder 866 analog version, should be around $8,000 on a used market - resolving, full sound, vibrant. Downside - only XLR inputs, no subwoofer out, no preamp out. Optional USB wireless remote is functional but crappy looking (amp can be controlled via wifi thru Boulder app)

Coda CSiB - used should be under $4500. Class A for the first few watts, amazing clarity, extended top end without brightness, fast and articulate bass. Has both RCA and XLR inputs, subwoofer output, great universal remote.

You have a lot of good suggestions above as well. Good luck!!!

Atoll.  I just auditioned an Atoll 200 and orders an IN300 EVO as my retirement amp, replacing 15+ year old Bel Canto monoblocks and Pre5. The IN400 EVO is supposed to be a big step up, and it’s still in your budget. Check out the Nritish Audiophile on YouTube. 

$340 for 8 tubes every few years or $8000 now?

If you want to buy one time and really find your end game amp give Mike a call at 11 stereo….otherwise it’s all guess work…I too am loving retirement and at our age with time going by so fast we don’t have time for mistakes….no one here can give you the best advice.. he won’t sell you something you don’t need…his customers like me belong to his tribe, he takes a personal interest in our systems and has never sold me anything that didn’t match my system and make it sing..

Aesthetix Mimas should be on your list. Retired myself in Feb 2024, bought Mimas on June 2024! Very nice sounding Integrated. I added the built in DAC which is also very nice sounding. 

Look no further! Ayre Acoustics AX-5 Twenty. Zero feedback fully balanced is the solid state which sounds the most like tubes. I own full R Series and QX-5 Twenty for dac after selling my dCS Bartok Apex.

Rolling 7581A in place of the EL34 will fix the bass.

I’d like to get additional damping factor bass control than my current amp provides

I think that the Vincent SV-737 would warrant looking at. Tube hybrid with great power and craftsmanship. 

Another vote for Pass Labs INT-60

and/or talking with Mikey @ 11stereo.com

I recently upgraded my system for retirement.  My SQ goals similar to what you describe.  I finally chose Burmester. The house sound is clear, true timbre, light fast transients and solid dynamics, dense images, and excellently staging with tube-like liquid treble and midrange.  New would be above your budget but you can find a use 082 in, or possibly an 032 (more power) just above your budget.  Highly recommend adding both models to your audition list.  

This should be your ticket. I own one and is the finest integrated at that price point, used.

Luxman L-509Z Stereo Integrated Amplifier; MM & MC Phono For Sale - US Audio Mart

or, is that is too pricy look at this one.

Luxman L-509X For Sale | Audiogon

The Chord Ultima integrated has me intrigued.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8I_deaVNTU

Another vote for the Boulder 866! Superb amp! Get the digital version if you can. Good luck! 

@ezstreams CONGRATTULATIONS on making it to the light at the end of the tunnel!

That's an awfully lovely TT to let lie fallow!  I also have a record collection predominantly from the 60s through the 80s which are in great shape.  I'm in the process of slowly cleaning them, again, using an ultrasonic cleaning system this time around.  If you haven't done that with your collection, I strongly recommend it.

With regard to equipment, I tend not to recommend anything I haven't owned and can vouch for or have spent a serious amount of seat-time with in serious auditions.  On this note, I can unhesitatingly recommend McIntosh, Simaudio Moon and Luxman SS amps worthy of your serious consideration.  These will have the sound signature you're after.

Now, if you want a wood stand-up bass to sound as real as possible when the musician(s) play notes below low E, a sub-woofer would definitely help with that.  Helps with piano and other instruments, as well.

Congrats on retirement! I did so about 7 years ago and am more into my equipment and music than I ever have been. You may want to look into the Modwright KWH 225i integrated. I bought one used at a significant discount, and The Music Room carries the Modwright line, new and used. It has a tube-based front end and SS amp section, the first 25 being Class A. Its 225w will drive about any speaker. You can roll 6922 tubes and equivalents and not have to worry about power tubes. This may be worth your time for a look. I am in no way associated with Modwright or TMR. Hope this helps.

Check out Technics newest integateds ~ 4 years to current

If possible, listen to BelCanto e1X 

There’s a Luxman L-590AxII available on Audiogon right now in your price range. Last of the big Class A Luxman integrated amps.  Class A up to 30 WPC into 8 ohms and 60 WPC into 4 ohms. It moves into Class AB doing 95 WPC into 8 and 165 WPC into 4 ohms. Should be more than enough power, best of both worlds. Great MM/MC phono stage, too. Highly recommended!

@ezstreams I had the PrimaLuna Evo 400 integrated and at the same time had the Coda CsIB, Krell 300i and a Krell 300xd amp that I paired with various Pre’s.  Owned the Primaluna and Coda and had the Krell for about a week.  Gave me ample time to compare.  Primaluna is built like a tank, was a great Integrated, in my experience living with it, didn’t have the traditional tube sound, in some ways sounded more SS than the Coda and for sure the Krell. 

If you are looking for a tube like sound with SS oomph it’s really tough to beat the Krell 300i.  Out of all the Integrated units I’ve been lucky enough to try in my system, Krell was my favorite.  Coda was also outstanding, the sound signature was a bit different with the Krell sounding a bit more musical to me.  If you are looking to capture some “tube” like magic but with the ability to control, drive speakers and bass associated with SS, Krell would be tops on my list.  Pass, Boulder, Hegel all make fantastic Integrated units as well.  Coda, in my opinion is one of the most underrated HiFi companies out there, the design / build quality and parts used is off the charts when compared to other much more expensive gear from some other manufactures.  A hybrid also a great option.  When I want some tube magic I drop in a Tube Pre to pair with my Amp and it yields a great balance of tube magic with the pluses of SS amplification.

Congratulations on retirement!!  Good Luck on the search / hunt for a new integrated. 
 

the best integrated amplifiers we have ever had coda csib and the norma revo 140

we sell many integrated amplifiers from naim, krell, coda, synthesis atoll, unison, esoteric and many others.

Dave and Troy,

audio intellect NJ

First of all congratulations on retiring did it two years ago myself And enjoying every minute of it

Like some other posters have said hybrid is a good way to go. I have aesthetix Gear myself which is hybrid my preamp is the Pallini and The amp is the atlas great sounding gear. Jim White is an awesome designer. Their integrated amp is called the Mimus And it’s hybrid and you can get it with DACor Photo stages and is in your budget

when I retired, I thought I’d be listening to a lot of music myself. I moved from New Jersey to North Carolina. The weather down here is beautiful so we spend most of our time outside. Don’t listen to my stereo as much as I thought I was going to.

Enjoy your retirement and you’re listening. Hope this helps.

I also just retired....When I got up this morning I had nothing to do and when I went to bed I only had got a quarter of it done.

I have been using this amp hard for over four years and have not replaced a tube. (a phone call and you could buy this in your price range..hint hint) I wouldn't worry about replacing tubes. Most tubes are not expensive landing in the $50-$100 range.

An Accuphase new or used is another fine choice. 

@tomaswv 

Nritish = British?

Thank you ALL for your thoughts and suggestions and especially the congrats on retirement (its going to be an adjustment).   Lots of suggestions … i can enjoy the thrill of doing research on then going to listen to!
My JA Perspectives only have a sensitivity of ~84 dB, but do present a pretty stable 8 ohm load. I’m thinking my current 70 w/ch doesn't provide “sufficient headroom” for these speakers.  @chenry I know there’s more to delivering dynamics and bass note attack/decay than watts, but I’m not sure a lower powered amp like the Sugden Signature, at 30 w/ch will provide the improvement I’m looking for. 
@soix , I’m definitely open to and leaning towards the Hybrid integrated architecture to play to both their strengths.

 @corelli to answer your question, maybe, with age, I’ve become sensitive to the upper register instruments. An alto sax is like fingers on a chalkboard. That was the same with my previous Vincent integrated. As a result, i avoid listening to music featuring them. 
@ghdprentice I’ve read many of your posts over the years and because of that, have kept my eye on Audio Research products looking for deals on the used marketplaces. I’m definitely in the fiscal conservative stage of early retirement making AR out of reach even used and still would have tubes to replace. 
@noromance I hear you on the cost of replacement tubes ($340 is a little on the low side for 8 power tubes though depending on the tube). As i mentioned, I’m also wanting to improve the SQ of my current all tube amp. If you’re suggesting I can achieve the SQ I described by merely switching just to a different pre-amp tube for the current 6 Primaluna label tubes then that is yet another path that I hadn’t considered.