???What's The LEAST Expensive "End Game"Amplifier You've Ever Heard???

My Cayin A-88T Integrated Tube Amp (Mine: Original MKI Version)

1. it has Remote Volume and Remote Mute (wish it had remote balance)

2. it uses 6sn7 and 6sl7’s instead of 12’s.

3. it uses KT88’s (mine, used, came with 6550’s, I changed/prefer the KT88’s)

4. MKII Version better for most people, it has external bias meters and adjusters, I have/need MKI Version, the only one with 16 ohm taps, my vintage speakers are 16 ohm.

worst feature: internal adjusters for power tube bias. the later versions with external bias meters and adjusters do not have 16 ohm taps.

6 Moons Review A-88T, MKI

Their amps are switchable, triode, or (typically double the power wpc) ultralinear. My extremely efficient horns don’t need the extra power, but I prefer the sound of the ultralinear circuit, so I’m using 45 wpc.

They make, I’ve never heard, A-50T Integrated a 16 triode/ 35 wpc ultralinear using EL-34’s and 12’s, some come with MM Phono built in, here’s one

Mint Cayin A-50T with Phono

I’m surprised to be the first to mention the Van Alstine (AVA) M225 Monos - the pair can be had for under $4k and are amazing. 225W@8 ohm, superb bass control, great delicacy, nice tonal color. Great depth of presentation. These little dynamos got great reviews when they came out and have been a staple in one of my systems (driving a pair of Dynaudio Heritage Specials, 4ohm). If more power is needed, there is a bigger option (M7700), but that would be a very large room with inefficient speakers. I would make these the first stop for anyone. The only caveat is that they are internally bridged, so very low impedance speakers could be a problem. For anything else, they compete with the best of the best.

Budget would be an Outlaw 2160 MK II Receiver.

A Musical Fidelity A1 or any of the M series.

Low budget would be an Outlaw 2160 MKII Receiver.

Musical Fidelity A1 or any of the M Series Integrated amps.

First Watt SIT 4.  Despite being no substitution for a first hand experience, read 6moons review or Stereophile (Herb Reichert).  A brilliant amplifier unless you require fancy casework.