2. amps-preamps
  3. 157714-35074

Affordable US Made Tube Pre/Power or Integrated Options

I'm considering switching to tube amplification from solid state. I'm fine with separate pre/power or an integrated. I'll be driving Enzo XL's in a smallish room (17x14) and listening levels are almost always <90db so 30-40 watts should be more than enough. My budget is fairly modest, $2-3k all in. I don't need phono or more than 3 inputs but I would like remote for volume at minimum. Quality build and sound is a priority as is ease of support/repairs if needed. The one unique requirement is that my preference would be for US made if at all possible. Obviously, this limits the options quite a bit but I'd like to see if I can make it work. If not, I'm willing to look at other options.

Here's what I've found so far

Preamps:
Mapletree Line 2CRM, $800 (not US but close)
LTA MZ2- $1595

Power Amps:
Tubes4hifi ST70-35w, $1300
Audio by Van Alstine Ultravalve-35w?, $1599
Quicksilver Mid Mono-40w each, $1995/pair

Integrated:
Rogue Cronus- 100w, $2395
Any others?

I'm open to any other options you may know of. Also, if there's any insight or positive experiences with matching pre/power amp please share. I'm new to tubes so I have a lot to learn.

ruleof72
volumizer
86 posts
 
Look at Bob Carver Crimson 275s.  75 wpc stereo tube amp made in USA with point to point wiring and some Carver tweeks that run tubes cool.  They are A/B push/pull with feedback.  They come with a 10 year tube warranty.

A lot of high-enders poo poo Bob Carver, but he's an electrical genius and his current offerings are made here.  I have his Raven 350 monoblocks and they sound great.

If you want to really get the ultimate tube sound and go the SET route, consider Decware, also made in US and a little higher endish, but affordable, and money back trials available, as with Raven audio:
https://www.decware.com/newsite/homepage.html




chorus
976 posts
 
If you are patient you can get a used Pass Labs XA25 for
$3k. Then you still need a preamp and whoops-there goes the
budget. But Wait! If you don't have multiple sources the screw
the preamp. Remote will have to be via your other sources.

asmith99
26 posts
 
Erhard Audio .. Tucson, AZ
umrkretread
37 posts
 
Schitt Freya +, $899US
https://www.schiit.com/products/freya-1
Designed and made in the USA. Mike Moffat and Jason Stoddard know a thing or three.

dmartens
3 posts
 
I recently purchased a wonderful tube pre from 10 Octave, a small company out of Georgia and have paired w an upgraded Carver M 1.0t driving Forte III’s. For my amateur audiophile ears very balanced sound w great base extension. Around $1100. 
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