Recommendation Tube Integrated

“At this juncture (nearly 2024) what are folks' best recommendagtion for a tube integrated amp.  Constraints would be $10K (preferrably $5K or less), at least 35 watts per channel.  New or used.  Goal would be smooth, creamy sound.  My current system, which I would consider very good solid state sound, can still be a little ...hard.... to my sensitive ears at times, and I'm thinking a tube option would be nice.  Thanks.”

I will give you a sleeper to look for and it’s the Audiomat Arpege EL34 integrated that has 30w per channel.  The EL34 is that tube that gives you the midrange warmth you are looking for and has plenty of power for most speakers.  I use mine with Holland metal based EL34’s and 1961 Mullard 12ax7’s and it was incredible on my Quad ESL57’s.  For incredible tube midrange the EL34 and 6550 tubes are great.  One of the posters mentioned the EL84 tube and its great as well but only so much power you can get with the EL84 tube and depending on speakers you have may not be enough and might be a bit lean in the bass.  You may want to post your system or at least speakers you have or plan on using with the amp.  I will tell you with a 5k - 10k budget you open up a lot more options with separates(all tubes:)

Good Luck!

Thanks everyone. To cfarrow’s questions, current system is Harbeth 40.2 fed by LFD HR-ii integrated, Lampizator Pacific DAC (I just listen to digital). For years, I ran ARC separates, but wanted to be free of the bulk and all the tubes, and the LFD sounded almost as good, in a far more compact and economical package. But the tube itch has sort of returned, and I want to believe there is an integrated out there for when I really want a bit more warm and fluid sound.

Harbeth speaker need power to control its bass.

Someone in the following thread reported good result between Harbeth and Line Magnetic 508 or 805.

Thomas

I am UK based and have been fortunate to have been demo'd the VAC Phi Beta 110i on quite a few occasions, as a result of a friend owning one. 

I have been familiar with my friends system before the VAC was introduced and have heard it in use with both Vinyl and Digital Sources as well as ESL and Cabinet Speakers. 

Being a member of a HiFi Group and having meetings at different homes, I have heard other Amp's used in this system as well.

The VAC is not a Amp' that reveals an individual sensitives to frequency extremes. It is not bloated or overwhelming in the bottom end frequencies, neither is it a Lean Sounding Amp'. It is able to encourage long periods of listening without creating detractors. 

The VAC I am referring to can be found for sale on occasion, very close to your preferred $5K.

I feel very confident in use, it will be a very attractive experience and one happy to be lived with for a very long time. 

Synthesis - a real sleeper in the high-end world. I first heard them with Harbeth speakers at Dejavu in northern Virginia and they sounded fantastic.

I have the Synthesis A100 Titan integrated, KT66 tubes for 100w channel. This is a wonderful amp in the classic style of tube amps. Big, bold, dimensional, flesh on bones. Highly recommended. More info: