Tube integrated amp under $1000


Getting close to taking a plunge on a small tube integrated amp preferably under $1000.  Open for suggestions.   Small size and WAF matters.   The two leading contenders I have actually heard are Glow Audio Amp 1 and Jolida fx10.  

Only knock I know of against either is Jolida runs hot and can shorten lifespan.   How has that turned out for owners?

Will  run 90db small monitors initially  and needs a headphone Jack as well.  Ability to drive lower impedance headphones like Sennheiser Momentum without noise or hum desired. 


mapman

Showing 3 responses by mapman

Tube amp experiment has been put off again. The Triangle speakers I would have used have found a happy home in my second system running off the most impressive Bel Canto C5i digital Class D integrated that has everything needed in a small box and sounds fabulous as well especially with the more efficient Triangles. Outstanding headphone amp as well. This setup is now sounding the best it has in years and can’t imagine dissecting it again at this point or adding yet another limited system on a tight budget that would only get limited usage. I do have some very nice less tube friendly gear siting idle at this point. Might need to do some house cleaning and acquire some funding there first before doing anything else new. The interest to try different things never does end it seems.
Mik I'm considering the Musical Paradise and had read that.   Have never heard it though.   I wonder if it would have hum with 18 ohm Sennheiser Momentum phones?

bb I heard GLow at Capital Audiofest a few years back and the system it was in was one of the best I thought.   

This is for  a third system that would not be played too loud so I'm thinking I can get by.    Currently using a vintage 15 watt SS Yamaha receiver there with very good results 
Thanks for the input from those who posted.

Actually, I must re-think this a bit. Wife will not be happy with any wires showing in our living room. Go figure?

Given that I’m thinking going portable with a small headphone amp only, maybe one with tubes even although that might result in me buying another pair of good quality headphones with higher impedance in any case. This might be the best solution to add music to that one room in my house missing it currently.  That and  maybe a pair of small good quality active studio monitors.