Also. Anybody using the Willsenton R8. I have seen the you tube stuff. Just want to know from real users and actual reliability. Looks well made but no experience with it. Also I wrote the wrong size room I am dealing with it is about 300 sf with 8 foot ceilings and two openings. Thanks again.
What to try?
Currently have Yamaha As1200 integrated with KLH Model 5. Looking to get a more refined sound with a tube integrated. 220 square foot room, 8 foot ceilings. I am getting a somewhat foreword presentation now but good solid clear sound with punch. Thinking about a Pathos Classic One MkIII or Willsenton R8 or Line Magnetic KT88. The Pathos is a hybrid but have heard good things. Play mostly vinyl with Fluance RT 85 and Ortofon Blue. Listen to mostly rock and alt country and some classical. Just thinking of dipping my toes into tubes to get a different sound. Any suggestions?
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Thank you @grislybutter I will take a look. Just figured out the hyperlink stuff. |
I would be remiss to not mention this Octave amp that rarely comes up for sale and gets stellar reviews. At 70Wpc not sure if it has the juice you need, but the manufacturer states it’s stable down to 2 Ohms so still may be worth a look. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649967135-octave-se-70-s-integrated-tube-amp/ Another hybrid option would be Unison Unico amps that also get great reviews and have plenty of power. Here are a couple worth a look… https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649941719-unison-research-unico-due-black/ In the looks camp it’s a no-brainer — the Pathos is a stunner. Here’s a nice used unit for only $1100 that might be tough to pass up, and you have the flexibility to add another one and run them in monoblock configuration for 180 Wpc if you find you need or want more power. Plus you double down on its gorgeous looks. Anyway, you have lots of great options and these are just a few more to chew on FWIW. Best of luck. |
One amp I’ve owned and don’t usually recommend to everyone is the VPI 299D, but it fits your search perfectly. It is more refined than other tube integrateds from Rogue or Primaluna and has a MM phono built in. It was designed in joint by Harry Weisfeld (VPI) and Steve Leung (of VAS audio). Only 100 of them were made. One is on USAM now, and I have no affiliation with the seller: The tube rolling is as extensive as a Primaluna, but has the added tube rectifier which can accept GZ34/5R4/274B variants. It lets out a lovely sound and will be bolder than your Yamaha (I’ve owned an A-S3000). |
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