Tube Integrated Amp Recommendation
I am looking for a tube integrated amp that has lots of tube flavor (can't find a better word). I don't care for more modern tube amps that start to sound a lot like solid state. I need at least 25 watts, and my budget is $4K. Right now, I am thinking that Unison Research Triode 25 may be a good choice. I know that some vintage amps may work well; however, I don't have the time right now to pursue any restoration or maintenance needed to make them sound their best and keep them reliable. Any suggestions you may have are very much appreciated.
I wanted a modern tube amp (remote volume) that sounded as good as my Fisher 80az mono blocks. amp or integrated (keeps options open). I took a chance on a used Cayin A88T, usa 120v. Love it. based on very positive 6moons review. (6 moons site is not loading at the moment) preamp section: 6sl7 and 6sn7 tubes, other models use more traditional 12...x. These 6's sound terrific. triode mode: 22wpc; alternate ultra-linear mode 45 wpc. all my sources go thru my vintage tube preamp, thus tube to tube sound: but occasionally I hook up something directly to the Cayin. It sounds great, Love it. it came with 6550’s, I changed to KT88’s, prefer them. I see some out there now new and or used, but they are 220v. 110v come up on hifishark/ebay/reverb ... randomly. this shows it well, perhaps they can sell you a 120v version
MK2 has desireable external bias meter. (mine is MK1, internal bias, pita) Built like a brick, Innards, all hand wired, very impressive.
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Thanks for some great suggestions that were not on my radar.. I realize that there are plenty of previous threads that focus on tube amp recommendations, but I am specifically looking for that lush, liquid mid-range.. I do not care as much about dynamics, hyper-detail, or even strong bass… thanks again… |
Ayon is built to a higher standard then most judt compare the case a nice machined aluminum , made in Austria Mundorf coupling capacitors The excellent Lundahl transformers and chokes which is the heart of a tube amp all tube sockets and connectors Copper not cheap brass like most and microprocessor controlled which adjusts each power tubes for age , rather then just average all the same to get better life , when a tube does go,a red led comes on then shuts down ,you replace that tubes, hit the recalibrate button and you are back on your way.very solid engineering , tube u.s,a sells them for agood price or buy one used ,like a spirit2 or 3 . |
Three recommendations I have for you first look at the melody line I have an H 88 that has two kt88s per side and if I remember correctly it is 50watts per side. Lots of guts. A 6sn7 and a 6sl7 on each side and one more lol i just woke up cannot remember the number of the last one. On another note I put sohpia electric tubes the blue bottle ones in that amp. Well it is very beautiful old school listening. Which ever one you get you might consider those tubes. They are just what the doctor ordered if you like detail warmth musicality and beauty of tone. Ok not sure if you will find one of these or not for the money but look for a lime magnetic. You want one of the ones styled like it is from the 1930s with the big handles on the front plate. The are all reproductions of western electric designs. In fact some of them have nos transformers in them. Personally I truly like the way they sound and I would dare day they are in the very top of the food chain for amplifier s. I will see if I can find one and add a link. The last thing I would suggest would be a canary audio one. Very few people in North America know what they are. Built in California very high build quality and very high quality components. They are lots of money new but they are a hard sell you want to find a used one or a nos one. I bought a pair of nos monoblocks for 4k that retail they were 20k. They sound like 20k amplifiers. Anyhow I will post a link for you if I find one. |
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650050931-line-magnetic-lm-126/
This is the style you are looking for that are based on old western electric designs. Very old school sounding amps. In many ways I like my line magnetic monoblocks the very best. They were lots of money new but so were the canaries I have as well as the levinson monoblocks I have. In my opinion these compete at the very top. |
Consider the Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum iii Dark edition. Here's a June 2023 Absolute Sound review describing the musicality of the regular, non-Dark upgraded version: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/rogue-audio-cronus-magnum-iii-integrated-amplifier/ I heard the Dark version at CAF 2023 powering a pair of Joseph Audio Pulsar 2 Graphene speakers and could have listened all day. |
I love my Lab12 Integre4 MKII dearly. It costs slightly more than your budget brand new, it has that liquid sensuous mid-range but still muscular sounding. Below $10K there is no better tube integrated amp I think than that. Leben CS600X and ARC I50 are good recommendations as well and you can't go wrong with them. I have not heard Triode's KT88 integrated yet, but seems like a good value proposition as well. |
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@doyle3433 Yes Leben stuff is gorgeous a feast for the eyes and ears both. |
The AR I/50 and Margules I-240 are both excellent. The Margules is class-A. There is a head-to-head comparison online (YT) with intro and commentary in Spanish, but with extended play by both units. The newer version Willsenton R8 shouldn’t set you back more than $1500 and with a little tube rolling will get you a very nice sounding 45W AB using KT88s, but will also run EL34s. With Amazon, you would have some trial time to decide. |
