should i do tube?


so i have a few grand to spend. you can check out my system, but basically it's an analog front end. im currently using a sim i-5 integrated, but cancelling out the pre section by using a bottlehead foreplay pre, which makes a very nice difference. question is, should i just go to pure tubes. the latest audio advisor catalog has 2 amps which sound very interesting, the antique sound lab aq-1001dt integrated, and the mgsi 15 dt integrated which is set. let me be clear here...things sound very good as is. but im intrigued about using all tubes. and the 1001dt especially interests me cause it's 50 wpc and has a remote, and seemingly very easy bias adjustment, which i really want. so all opinions would be very appreciated here. and if these amps could be bettered in a similiar price range, please chime in.

thanks all...
sberger

Showing 1 response by sbank

Jond's comments are really worth remembering. nice post!
FWIW, I heard a nice Totem/tube combo, with a Jolida integrated. Pretty affordable for the quality I heard. Worth a listen if you get a chance.
I agree that used tube amps will give you a chance to try it for a few months & then try something different at litle cost. I've been through VTL, AirTight,BAT, Cary and now Berning amps. If I hadn't taken those steps, I wouldn't be as happy as I am now. IMHO, most decent tube amps give you more realistic sound than ss competitors at most price points; but that a WHOLE 'NOTHER DEBATE! ;-)
Cheers, Spencer