+1 on PrimaLuna. Should find a used integrated integrated in your budget.
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?
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?
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Raven at your budget .... or for value a Black Ice audio F22 at 1/2 your budget. Throw in a fx glass tube wifi dac, some vintage 50’s-60’s tubes and you have a nice low maintenance initial set up that performs way above its price point. https://www.underwoodhifi.com/products/black-ice-audio |
Maybe an easier way to dip into the tube world would be with a hybrid integrated with a tube input stage but solid state amplification. This way you get a good dose of the “tube magic” but with less maintenance and cost, and you can still play around with tube rolling if that’s your thing. With your speakers and room something like the Unison Research Unico Primo at $2395 new might be a great option, and you can read reviews to see if its sound characteristics are what you’re after. The importers, Fidelis, offers a trial period but I think charge a healthy restocking fee if you end up returning it, which I’d think unlikely if it delivers the sound you’re looking for. Best of luck. |
Decware is out therehttps://www.hifishark.com/search?q=decware with your 95db speakers Deware will kill i use mine 4 wpc Mini torii with Ref 3a de Capo i at 92db |
The problem with adding a budget like 3k AND wanting pre and amps, gonna get pretty tight pretty quick..For SUPER sound. VTL, Luxman, and Mcintosh. Mac, though.. you'll look long and hard to get happy with 3k in your pocket.. Gear like Ravin, Atmasphere, certain Carys, mercy if you could spring for that.. you would be WAY ahead.. Your starting close to the top for quality.. 20 year gear... Bob Latino ST-70, Good gear, old gear.. you have to do a few things to stop them from going through valves..Not expensive, BUT there will be maintenance.. SQ? El34s, Where is the bass? I'm telling you.. 6L6 or KT88 valves.. unless your gonna go SS for the bass portion on your speakers.. Fruit for thought.. Regards |
@ larshepping Some of those other amps on your list besides the Quicksilver will need a preamp or a passive input selector. If 20 watts is enough power Quicksilver makes a nice integrated amp for 2 grand. Integrated Amplifier – Quicksilver Audio |
