Looking to get into tubes?

Soulbrass, nailed it in your price range. The Cayin A-50T (with EL 34 tubes) is, imo, a very nice sounding integrated amplifier that sells new for $1400 and you should be able to find a used unit within your price range. These are well built and reliable. For your room, speakers and application, this amp will have sufficient power.
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I have to agree with Tobias.I started around the same age and am close to his age.I have run the gamut from all ss to all tube to a mix and just have found over the years I need some kind of tubes in the mix.

Best of luck,
Bob

This is food for thought. In this month's issue (192) of Absolute Sound magazine in the review of a Pass amp and preamp, Anthony Cordesman said "I have never been a believer in choosing one type of amplifier- tube or solid state, or Class A verus class AB. The best and most neutral amplifiers still don't sound the same, but the way in which an individual design is executed now tends to be as important as category. I could live very easily with the best examples in each category. I also find that the sonic differences between tube or solid state, and class A and class AB are becoming smaller over time."

It will be a sad day for Audiogon when all amplifiers of all types and categories sound the same. This section of the forum might as well be shut down. Wishful thinking.

The PrimaLuna & Cayin look like very interesting units. Any more companies and models that you guys prefer? It is always preferable to have a good selection of models from which to choose. Thanks for all of your feedback and any more to come as well.

The Prima Luna is the best choice for this reason: Where are you going to send the Cayin for repairs? China? I don't know of any repair centers in the US that take care of Cayin equipment. But I could be wrong.