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?
If you 'think' you need a tube amp...you should get it. Life is short. Although there are excellent SS in your budget, tube amps do sound different. Fo for it. Glad I did and wish I did sooner.
For the money, as mentioned, it's hard to beat Quick Silver and Primaluna. Also, there are easy to build kits out there as well. The Don Sachs Kootenay is based on a kit. That amp sounds amazing.
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!
If possible it’s always best to audition for yourself. Short of that, I can speak from experience about the Rogue Cronus Magnum. I own version II after owning Luxman, Yamaha and Rogue Hybrids. First Why wouldn’t you want to own an amp with US backed manufacturing with unbelievable and always available support? Further there’s a strong US dealer network for further support. Try dialing China. Then there’s the tube rolling ability to match the amp with your speakers and components. The CM has an uncanny ability to match well with many speakers. I own Sonus Faber Sonetto V’s btw and couldn’t be happier. Do you need 100 watts? When did anyone ever complain of too much power? Dial it down if you must, however one of the best features of the CM is it’s headroom. And when are any of us ever satisfied not to tweak (hint future speaker upgrades). With a lot of choices, there are dozens of reasons to choose the Rogue CM. Lots of professional reviewers also agree. Good luck!
I scanned the responses and would like to ask, not suggest, about the Conrad Johnson CAV 45 S2. This would be used of course to keep under the $3K price point. I have a Heaven 11 Billie amp (tube pre, Class D ICE) that is possibly my first real hifi amp) I've been curious about the CJ as it has quite good reviews.
I had the original CAV 45, and it was beautifully built and sounded fantastic. I had speakers that were not particularly efficient at the time, and I decided I needed more power. With more efficient speakers, I can only imagine the CAV 45 S2 would be an endgame piece for many people.
If you've got a $3k budget, why not get the Bob Latino ST-120? Fully assembled for only $300 more than the ST-70. $1700
And if you're really willing to drop $3000, that will get you the M125 mono block pair at 120 watts each!
And don't forget that the kits not only save you some money, the act of building the amps is satisfying in a way that can never be matched by any straight up purchase. I built my first tube radio kit when I was 12 years old. I built any number of Dyna and Hafler kits back in the day. You can do this!
I know a person who is selling a couple of tube amps.... * Sophia Electric 90-01 300B amp monos but that will need a pre. and you will need the right speakers for these. (8wpc) * Triode TRV35 (older model) EL34 tubes, Can be a straight amp or pipe it thru a pre. (35wpc)...i think he rolled it to a KT77 * Rogue Sphinx v? maybe 2 hybrid (100wpc) I have heard them....they have a nice warm sound. Rogue gives you more bang for the buck. if interested reach out to me and i can connect the two of you.
I bought mine direct from their US distributor Upscale audio after going there (So. Cal.) from my home in Alabama to audition it with speakers similar to my 90 dB sensitivity Goldenear speakers. With your super efficient speakers, you will not come near straining the amp (I rarely get above 9:00 volume with my less efficient speakers) and may never have to replace the tubes. I talked with the Upscale salesman who found a B-stock had come in recently from the manufacturer. It had a small blemish in the automotive quality paint job on the back of the amp that nobody will ever see and obviously has no effect on its sound quality. I was able to buy it for close to the price of the used one shown above.
Decware- best in terms of sound quality, Bob Latino good choice in terms of sound per dollar . don’t overlook Transcendent Sound if you’re into kit stuff.
In my office setup, I have Omega Compact Alnico monitors, which I was driving with a Cary CAD300SEI that I purchased 3 or so years ago, until I decided to move it to my main setup a couple years ago. This is a SET (Single Ended Triode) integrated amp with 300B output tubes. This was a wonderful combination, and I recommend you investigate a SET amp for your Omegas. The 15 Watts is plenty of power for the Omegas, especially since they have a very benign impedance response. The midrange is wonderful resulting in absolutely mesmerizing vocals, and contrary to popular wisdom I've never felt bass was at all lacking.
Robert Hartley of Stereophile had a very favorable review of the CAD300SEI back in 1995 (https://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/398/index.html), and Cary made several improvements over the years. While it might not be in time for your decision, I'll also be listing mine in the next month or so as I've decided to go a different direction for my main speakers (92 dB sensitivity, but a difficult load with dips to 2.53 Ohms). I had all the upgrades Cary offers as well as having them put in a pre-out RCA connector for each channel in case I wanted to add subs, and also put in NOS tubes for the driver and output tubes though the 300B power tubes are the originals.
The best tube amp under $3k I’ve owned is the VAC Avatar SE. Let’s you switch triode and ultra linear. Beautifully made and I think it had a remote. One of a few pieces I regretted selling.
You might try a Leben CS300 series. It’s lower on power though, and the CS600 series would do better but they are in the $4k range.
I use a Woo Audio WA5 which is a 300b amp, and powers efficient speakers and inefficient headphones with ease. You can find them in the mid $3k range on sites like Head-Fi, and it was favorably reviewed in Stereophile, as was the Leben 600.
all prices above reflect used gear, and all above are integrated amps.
I guess the Rogue or if you can go a few more bucks ? the Audio Hungary I-20 . More dealers are picking up the line I wish I had the $$$ before the price goes . A dealer loaned me the amp very nice unit the sound was top notch .
+1 on the PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premier HP, which is just the amp. Runs beautifully with my Focal Diablo Utopia III's, for a tube move, like I am, it is no-hassle. auto biasing, lights to show if there is a failing tube, 70W per channel in Pentode mode, switchable to triode mode. It is a really nice unit that I believe retails for $3800.
Your list looks very familiar. I searched for months reading reviews and watching videos. New to the tube amp arena, also. Not an Audiophile but trying to broaden my horizons. Having very efficient speakers, Klipsch Heresy IV- 99db, I knew a huge amount of power was not necessary. I liked what I read about Rogue, Luxman , Decware and Raven. What sold me on Raven Audio was what I perceived as Quality in an American made product. So I contacted Raven Audio and have been blown away by there customer Service. How many times do you reach out to a business for information and are met with a phone maze and in some instances never talking to a real person in a timely manner. Bryant Wilson talked to me for 25 minutes when I called between Christmas and New Years. Oh, did I mention that they were closed for inventory but he still answered the phone. James Connell and I have spoken twice, right before I ordered and recently answering some questions this first month of break-in. On their Community site a member had an issue with a popping sound on his Nighthawk Mark III and three Raven Audio associates reached out and helped him to solve the problem in short order. They are very accessible. As for Sound my Nighthawk Mark III, it has been EVERYTHING I hoped for. I can't give a technical evaluation since I don't have the knowledge. More depth, less raspy vocals, layering and greater soundstage-yes. The Nighthawk arrives with NOS pre-amp tubes, 6.. Coming from a Marantz PM7000n integrated amp this has been an eye opening journey. I have been drawn in for many hours of pleasurable listening and for Me that is what it's about anyway! I realize Raven Audio is at the top of your $3000 budget, for me also. I stretched mine and purchased the Nighthawk Mark III. I think the quality of this amp is well worth the investment. Ten to Fifteen year amp, less than $300 per year is a bargain. I'm not in any way affiliated with Raven Audio but I can see myself having a relationship with this company for many, many years to come.
I almost bought a pair of VACs like those a couple years ago, but ended up splashing out for a pair of new 200iQ. At that listing price they should be a solid deal. 160 Watts/ch of tube power (to be fair that's probably pushing the KT88 pretty hard but it should at least get close), some of the sweet VAC voicing/magic, VAC support, $3K - that’s hard to beat.
Long ago I had a pair of their smaller Auricle 80 sibling, and the 160s are supposed to be a lot better than that.
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