Looking to get into tubes?

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.

Given your small room, speaker choices and low volume listening, I'd take a chance on the "6BQ5 Custom Integrated Amp w Bugle Boys" posted for sale on 4/8.

I've no connection whatsoever with the seller.

The pictures show a meticulous build.

The price is right.

I've found the 5687/6SN7 tube input stage designs very faithful sonically. TDK makes a nice volume pot.

The seller emphasizes the quietness of this amp - if assumed to be accurate, a huge bonus for low volume listening.

Just my 2 cents...

jb

OK, please tell me about tube cost, availability,resources, how long do they last, tube matching, tube rolling-compatability, break-in? These things are still unknown to me and I feel are important since Solid State is just essentially plug in & play.