2. amps-preamps
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Tube virgin looking for tube amp under $3k

I’ve never owned any tube amps or preamps and since I’ve got 95dB efficient speakers I thought why the heck not? And wow! What a rabbit hole I’ve gone down In the last week or so and my head is really spinning. For just about every amp or amp/preamp combo there’s someone who loves it and someone who says don’t bother. And then the more I dig, the more brands I find.

I’ve read about these products recently:

— Erhard Audio integrated amp 
—The various iterations of the ST-70 (Van Alstein, Bob Latino, Will Vincent, etc.)
—Music Reference RM10
—Cary (out of budget except used)
—Raven (at max budget for integrated)
—Dennis Had (hard to buy/find)
—Quicksilver Mid mono (need preamp)
—Decware (too long a wait for me at the moment but maybe one day)
—Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III (at max budget and do I really need 100WPC with my speakers in a small room?)

And probably a few others I’ve forgotten about already. 

I have to say that the Bob Latino ST-70 speaks to me for the price of entry (about $1400) and the fact that I could get away without a preamp and only use a passive input selector. That said, would an ST-70 be the best choice or only the cheapest? 

Any ideas for a tube newb who doesn’t have a stockpile of tubes to roll in and out of an amp?




larshepping

Showing 1 response by pcrhkr

pcrhkr's avatar
pcrhkr
304 posts
 
I have been on the hunt for an Integrated Amplifier. After reading, dreaming, saving money I finally got to Demo some equipment. I have enjoyed some good audio equipment purchased in the 80’s but it was showing too much wear recently. Before I bought that equipment 45 yrs ago I was listening to my JBL Lancers with a Stromberg Carlson Integrated. It was the best sounding gear I had heard and even better sounding that what I ended up with. The old Stromberg burned down.
:( Don’t ask my why I did not consider a Tube Amp or Integrated at that time, I was young.
I compared directly a couple weeks ago a Prima Luna EVO100 vs Hegel H390. I first heard the EVO and could not find anything wrong or out of place with the sound. I was amazed at the sound! Too me, as close to perfect as I could want. Then the Hegel, Very Nice sound, but not as open, clear, or defined as the EVO100. I was shocked considering the H390 is twice the price and with my ears, could not beat EVO-100. (Also compared with a Shiit Freya and Vidar) You probably can find a Prima Luna integrated on Audiogon or perhaps another brand. I highly Recommend you hear a PrimaLuna. I am running 89db  Passive Tower 8" 3-way Speakers 75W RMS continuous capable.  They never sounded better  and I have not dared to go over 1/2 volume because it shakes the place with aplomb lows. The police might be called on me too!  
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