I agree with Audioman58. I'm not a flag flyer but there's some great deals on US made gear. I recently purchased a used Rogue Cronus Magnum from Agon and it's been like having a new born baby. I think about it all day and can't wait to come home to it. After 31 years of solid state, it's a really nice change for me. Rogue's customer service is nothing short of amazing. I have emailed Mark O'Brien from Rogue, and he's even called me on my cell phone. It makes no difference to him whether you bought his gear new or used. He treats me as though I'm his greatest customer, and that's how he treats anyone who owns a Rogue. I'm not saying that there's no good Chinese stuff out there because I have no idea. Hopefully I'm never going to have to find out, because that would be the result of no more US manufacturers.
Tube Amp recommendation
I know this probably comes up quite a bit and for good reason. I personally live in a medium size city (pop. 350,000) where the only audio stores carry solid state and in most case multi-hundred watt amplifiers where no one can listen to anything other than the typical big names. I've searched as many forums as I can over the past month and can't come to any conclusions.
I've bought and sold a lot of vintage gear, and recently "dispersed" all of it in order to simplify and downsize, sadly this included my vinyl as well. I decided to cash out of my higher end stuff. I'm looking for a tube amp with at least two inputs and volume, so depending on your definitions, an integrated. I don't need more than 20 watts and won't pay extra for a higher watt amp, but I don't want to pay extra just for a low watter either. I'm limited by funds, absolutely no recs more than $1200 USD will be considered, so we're mostly talking about Chinese gear. I'd like used modern gear, while maintaining gear isn't a problem, I'm not particularly keen on owning any more older stuff. My source is Apple lossless Ipod/Music Server, eventually an outboard DAC will be added. Room is 25x25. I listen to a little of everything. I'll be DIY'ing my own full-rangers more than likely based on Fostex, so efficiency will be high, above 95db and I can tune the speakers to the amp.
So what are my options other than Opera/Consonance? I had my eye on a Melody 2A3, but they seem to be fairly uncommon in the U.S.
I've bought and sold a lot of vintage gear, and recently "dispersed" all of it in order to simplify and downsize, sadly this included my vinyl as well. I decided to cash out of my higher end stuff. I'm looking for a tube amp with at least two inputs and volume, so depending on your definitions, an integrated. I don't need more than 20 watts and won't pay extra for a higher watt amp, but I don't want to pay extra just for a low watter either. I'm limited by funds, absolutely no recs more than $1200 USD will be considered, so we're mostly talking about Chinese gear. I'd like used modern gear, while maintaining gear isn't a problem, I'm not particularly keen on owning any more older stuff. My source is Apple lossless Ipod/Music Server, eventually an outboard DAC will be added. Room is 25x25. I listen to a little of everything. I'll be DIY'ing my own full-rangers more than likely based on Fostex, so efficiency will be high, above 95db and I can tune the speakers to the amp.
So what are my options other than Opera/Consonance? I had my eye on a Melody 2A3, but they seem to be fairly uncommon in the U.S.