Sad to say I need a new amp…

Thanks, your right about the Mites, though I’m starting to think they are meant for closer listening.  I think they sound much better when you get closer than usual. Now that it’s my only stereo - playing around with it and getting the speakers on proper stands and getting closer helped a lot.  Office/bedroom in flux lol

Lol. 

Update:  I’m in deep wait mode for the Mesa, down to just the bedroom stereo which was never great so the upgrade bug is buzzing. Always used cheap WiFi or Bluetooth devices (Audioengine bifi, b1 andIFi Zen blue) to stream from my phone.

The new Exposure amp arrived and things had to change. Added an old Electrocampaniet ECD1 DAC ($700) and I’m using the audioengine’s WiFi streaming via optical connection. Huge, lovely musical improvement. With my subwoofer removed, plenty of bass. Clearly, in my system, none of the low cost devices produced the midrange and bass of the ECD1… now I don’t leave the bedroom. This isn’t healthy lol.

last: when streaming via Bluetooth (using Zen Blue or b1) it sounded a bit like pushing the loudness button on an old stereo. Sound wasn’t nearly as pure or sweet sounding (I actually like a DAC !) as when it was streamed via WiFi…

Thanks.. Hope to have it back in a few months.. I’m borrowing a small Parasound Zamp and gotta say it’s pretty dull sounding compared to the Mesa. Nothing sounds real. Not much of an audiophile since really only listened through the Mesa for twenty years, but it’s easy to hear the loss of clarity and drive..

also thinking about a used or new Croft integrated for my office. Supposedly has a tube like presentation..

To tell the truth I was a bit stunned for a few days. Very much appreciate your idea as I really haven’t heard any other amps (or speakers) in many years. The Belles Aria has a five year warranty which has extra appeal given the circumstances. My other system includes old Coincident Conquest Speakers which are fairly efficient..

Yes, noticed the hybrid trend when reading up last week. The Croft hybrid is $1895 with a phono amp and certainly gets great reviews. Not sure about reliability or heat issues since it will often be on 24/7 and doesn’t have a “ sleep” mode. Don’t really need a phono amp as I have an Allnic 1201 that I use with my other set-up..

Thanks again everyone. Eventually will bring the Mesa to a local repair for an appraisal, though it was really smoking and chugging when I pulled the plug perhaps it’s salvageable. Still looking for SS amp.. Van Alstine 120 really sounds interesting…..

Thanks all. Yes, the Mesa had 28watts in full pentode mode and killed it with rock and electric music. Could startle you sometimes. Btw, you could switch the sound to triode, at least to me with some records, piano was great in triode. Never had an issue, three new sets of Mesa tubes over 20 years..

Ibmjunkman: Mesa got in and out of the home stereo space years ago and pretty quickly. They also had a amplifier known as the Baron which was I believe more powerful.

Yes, the little Decware amp would likely sound great with my record system speakers….. just checked Decware’s waiting list… 1,400 orders !

UPDATE :  spoke with Mesa and they advised I send it in.  The rep sounded like they are confident they can fix/restore the amp, it’s going to take a few months bit jazzed they were so positive. Btw, the rep noted that many of their guitar amps are more complicated than their Tigris stereo amp. He also advised new coupling caps and electrolytic as needed… I’m here for it… amp weighs 50+ pounds so USPS OR UPS I guess… thanks all..

Fellow at Mesa said they made a couple hundred of these… gotta keep it going. Thanks.

Definitely staying with tubes in my bigger system. Talking to Mesa tomorrow so I’ll get some clarity about servicing it soon.  Long Long waiting lines for lots of new gear…there’s a minty B&k st1200 60w amp on audiogon now, for 200.00. The Mesa was 28w but really sounded more powerful.. I’m guessing my little totem mites would be fine with 60w in my office. Seems to be well reviewed…

@bekeske Beautiful stuff !  Got back into reviews and such while needing an amp for a bedroom system ( and waiting for main amp to return from service). Never heard of Belles. Those amps look great, but I’m looking to downsize the big system and the Belles Aria definitely an option to have if I don’t want to run the serviced Mesa all day when it returns. Not nearly as cool looking as those 400As though..