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My first tube integrated: which one to get?

Hello Audiogoners. I have had only Solid State equipment for my entire life. Recently, I have been considering a purchase of an integrated tube unit. My budget is around $4.000 USD. I have been looking at two units in particular: Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III and the Cary Audio SLI-100. I’m having trouble deciding on which one to purchase. I was hoping the Audiogon community could advise me as to which one to get.

My current system consist of a pair of Emotiva XPA-100 mono blocks, Parasound P6 and a Music Hall 9.3 TT with an Goldring Erotica LX cart. My speakers are Focal Aria 926. I have a smallish room, 11’7” (3.56m) x 15’7” (4.78m). I should also note that I’m planning on getting a DAC after my integrated amp purchase.

Both tube units I’m considering provide 100 watts/channel in Ultralinear but the Rogue Audio is switchable to triode mode at 60watts/channel. The Rogue unit is of a KT120 configuration whereas the Cary unit is a KT150 design. The Rogue has an onboard MM/MC phono stage albeit solid state. The Cary has no phone stage therefore I’ll need to get some sort of step-up phono stage from my MC cart. The Cary unit, normally a $6,000 plus system is on sale for $3700. The Rogue unit is $3400. I listen to manly rock from the 60s to current and some classical. However, I have been enjoying my friends jazz collection he gave me, inspiring my to seek out more contemporary jazz recordings.

My question are:

Should I even consider this purchase?

Will I experience the upgraded tube-quality sound I’m hoping for?

Should I consider instead a tube-based preamp to go with my 250watts into 8 ohms mono blocks?

If you recommend the pre-amp path, what sorts of things should I be paying attention to?

How important is it to have the ability to switch to triode mode? I understand that acoustic jazz sounds much better in triode mode?


Is there anything else that I should be considering with this possible purchase?

I should also say that I don’t mind used if I can achieve a bigger bang for my buck. Buying either the Rogue or the Cary new provides me with a generous 3-year warranty.

There you have it. I look forward to your input. Thank you all in advance for your help.
 

diminishedchord
co93
61 posts
 

When I first got back into stereo, I bought some Vienna acoustic Mozart’s and wanted to try out tubes.  So I bough a rogue Cronus integrated and a Cary sli 80. I found that the rogue sounded much better out of the box, but the Cary was sexier (the rogue sets it’s non-power tubes down, which might be good for better protecting them, but part of the allure of tubes is watching them glow in the dark).  Once I spent a lot of time rolling the cary tubes, I got it to sound as good as the rogue.  I then sold the rogue.  

But if you want to avoid all the hassle, I recommend the rogue right out of the box

fisher_400
71 posts
 

II recommended the Line Magnetic LM-5081A single-ended amp two posts above as some push-pull tube amps recommended by others do not have the tonal quality of single-ended tube amps. Consider that.

runwell
279 posts
 

If you are new with tube amplifier,I suggest not to buy new,buy a used one instead. In case you do not like,you can resale without big loss.

This one is really good in my opinion,look:

it is not expensive,but the sound is very good in my view.

 

kairosman's avatar
kairosman
265 posts
 

Stretch to $5.5K and get the new AR I/50, wonderful amp I heard at my AR dealer in town, its 50 watts at 8 ohms drove a pair of Dynaudio Heritage Specials with only 85dB sensitivity easily, although it was a smallish room. Also buying AR ensures good warranty service and resale value. Kinda like why I buy BMW for example, apart from them being good cars.

ocbu9094
8 posts
 

I spent the last 35 or so years listening to SS only and last year I ended up in the same place you are now. I looked at a bunch of "starter" tube integrateds, probably same stuff you came across too: Cary (used), Quicksilver, Rogue, Raven, Decware, Jolida/Black Ice. Primaluna, Line Magnetic, etc. Also got curious about Belles Aria and Croft Phono Integrated along the way. Ended up with a used Conrad-Johnson CAV45. No pre- or phono, so not good for your situation.

I am responding to your question about whether it's worth it. In general, I feel more engaged in the music. Hard to put a finger on with my 50+ year-old ears, but undeniable. Could also just be that it's interestingly different from my previous SS amp (Classe, which I also really liked). Anyway, I'm really glad I took the leap to try tubes and didn't go to my grave wondering about it. I concluded I would be happy with tubes or SS, but that right now I prefer the tubes.

I also think it's worth mentioning some non-musical factors that influenced me: tubes are a fun, interactive niche in the world of 2 channel audio (itself a niche at this point); CJ is a local business for me (ease of service in a hobby where this is inevitable); the gold faceplate reminds me of my childhood wandering around Myer-Emco in awe; and the CAV-45 itself has a very minimalist design, which is my style. A bit of a digression, but one or more of these factors could tip the scales for you if you feel comfortable giving weight to psychoacoustics.

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