VAC 30/70...pick your pre?

Thanks all for the input:

Some additional info that may be helpful:

Current setup: Vinyl only (second digital setup to be built in next year or so)
-Melody SP3/6550 (heavily rolled with Winged C 6l6’s, NOS RCA triple plate ax7’s, NOS RCA clear top au7a’s, and have switched between either JJ 6922 or GE ecc88’s)
-Graham Slee Era Gold Mk V
-VPI TNT IV with SDS
-Benz H2 Wood Body cart
-Warfedale Jade 5’s (87db, 6ohms)


Listen to: acoustic/Folk, singer-songwriter, jazz, alt-co, and rock--nothing that heavy. Lately been into early 1900’s gospel, 60’s/70’s funk, New Orleans swing. So a wide range.

Budget: Currently really hoping to stay around 6k. The current options of the 30/70 mkIII monoblocks, Sigma i160, Allnic T2000 integrated, Line Magnetic 219ia and 508ia all fit (the first 4 used on on the board here). 508ia would have to be purchased new.

Regarding 30/70s; always have craved VAC based on reviews; looking to move to monos; really think I like the idea of 300b sound, but have little experience in anything other than EL34, 6550/6l6, KT88. Based on budget, would mean these would be sitting packed up for a bit. Don’t know if getting a sub 2k pre would do them justice (CJ ET3, etc). So they could be waiting for 6-12 months to pair up.

The i160 seems to be a great integrated based on the reviews, but price is the same as the 30/70 monos, so worth just waiting for a pre?

The LM line is very intriguing. Trying to read up on the 219 vs. 508. Both seem to work well with mid efficiency speakers, even at the 219’s lower power rating. I do like the idea of being able to add a pre to either of these, and the 219 running dual mono power is pretty nice option. But, the 508 appear based on reviews to work a bit better with music outside of jazz and female vocals.

The Allnic running KT150s in the triode mode is about 43wpc and has nice reviews but just havent seen much.

And yes, my next change will be speakers (have thought about adding subs too)

I have really appreciated this forum over the years and continue to appreciate the input as I don’t have the ability get or hear a lot of great equipment often (medical school loans suck).

Thanks Al, was worried about that too with a pre like the et3.  The digital system will be completely separate and my current speakers will go with that (possibly even solid state).  

Decisions decisions...esp hearing such good things about LM

Thanks John and Charles, 

I just upgraded my TT from a mmf 5 to the TNT.  I'll admit I didn't know the TNT was an entry level table (I know it's not a 20k table though too).  Perhaps I'm just to rookie (or poor) for this :) .

I did transfer my cart with a new retip from soundstage as I have been looking at a phono stage upgrade in the next yer or so and wanted to make sure those were a good pairing.  

Room is 11*18; set up in front third.  Listen at moderate volume...dial is up to about 66-75% on the melody.  

Ive thought about the primaluna, but many told me to stay away from it and go for LM, etc.  

Maybe I'll go demo the PL (dealer in philly) and then decide between that and the 508.  As similar to Charles, it does appear to have good reports of the 508 with 85-88 db speakers.  

Thanks all

So I'm coming to believe that perhaps I should change my speakers first, and ones that are more efficient to allow for a greater breadth of amp choice.  I'm imagining 92db and greater then if I want to use SET down the line? A number I enjoyed yesterday, ATC, spendor, harbeth all seem to be right around my 87db rating.  

Thanks John, I have looked at the Devore orangutan in the past and almost purchased, until I got the wharfedales as a demo for nearly 75% off. I guess I'm honestly not 100% set on SET, but have liked what I hear from a 300b.  Even in some of the pentode/triode/ul switchables, the triode is a preferred voicing to me unless it's bass heavier music (zeppelin, hendrix and some older funk).  I'm open to opinions there and everywhere.  Honestly just trying to make it all improve over time, may be quick or may take a year or so to rebuild it all.  Best, Paul 

Charles, thanks for the feedback. I actually talked to Eric from Tekton and David from Whetstone re: LM today. Was trying to PM you to avoid stretching this on here, but I can’t find that function. As to Al, John and the others as well, again much appreciated.  

Best,
Paul

Agreed Walter and Charles!  Looking forward to hearing back Walter re: the 508.  I was in touch with Whetstone, who has a 508 in stock.  Seems like almost a toss up between the 508 and 219 (with a higher efficiency speaker).  The 8ohm DI is interesting, but worth the extra $500ish...tough to know unless a trial set forth I would assume.  

I may be either ordering the DI (pending my room space allowance) or the LM soon myself. 

Wig, nice to hear as the 160 was on the list. Helping solidify the decision and now Im torn between the 508 and 219 at this point.  

Charles, 

I think I am going to try NYC as it's only a couple hours from Philly; I don't know if they currently carry either of them though.  Texas is a bit far, although I do have plenty of airline miles, but they currently only have the 508, as the guy that originally bought the 508 traded it out for the 219.  
I will only have about 5 inches of breathing room up with the 219. 

Al, 

The space is open to the front, back, and sides (I use a Salamander triple 20); and although my current amp (though only 6L6 and not 845s) has 10 inches of clearance with about 350W consumption, I have added a small sheet of thermal radiant barrier with good results of keep heat down.    

Thanks Al! Wonderfully helpful