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Recommendations for a small tube amplifier?

I have a modest office system for near-field listening that I spend a lot of time with and have been gradually evolving over the last couple of years.

I'd like your advice about a tube power amp to use with a pair of JohnBlue JB3 single-driver speakers and a NuForce Icon used as a DAC and preamp.

Preferences would be for a small footprint and the use of fairly common output tubes. I have a box full of EL34's, KT88's and 6L6 tubes I could use but would be open to other easily found tubes like EL84's.

I don't need a lot of power, the 12 watt Icon has plenty of power for the JB3's. Bass isn't a major consideration since I have the NuForce W1 subwoofer in the system.

I'd be open to building an amp from a kit, my first piece of audio gear was a Dynaco SCA-35 I built when I was 19.

One option I've looked at is the Sophia Baby but I'd like other ideas, as well. I'd like to spend $400 or less if possible.

Thanks for your help.
128x128sfar
onemug
784 posts
 
The Almarro and Glow Amp would be two of my favorites. The el84 is a great tube and they both run it single ended/class A. The Glow even has a USB port if you want to work it into you computer.
sfar's avatar
sfar OP
1,756 posts
 
Pryso and Onemug - thank you very much for the recommendations of the Almarro and Glow integrateds. Is there something similar you could recommend in a power amp? I'm quite happy with the NuForce Icon as a preamp and DAC and wasn't really looking to replace it with another integrated.
siliab
362 posts
 
The Dared MP-5 is an altogether fabulous little amp. I've never heard anything that can touch it for the money. It has all of the timbral truth and dimensionality typical of tubes but with reasonable extension in the bass and treble. Bass dynamics are very good for an amp this size. It is not weak or wooly as long as it is matched with suitably efficient, easy to drive speakers and is not asked to broadcast high SPLs into large spaces.
armstrod
602 posts
 
Sfar,

I've owned the Almarro A205A, and it can easily be used as a power amp by just turning the volume pot all the way up. I used it that way with a variety of preamps, and I agree with Pryso and Onemug that it's very sweet. However, I would disagree with Pryso about its drive; I think it's a very competent 4.8 watts, but no more. Your JB3s aren't very efficient, so it would all depend on how loud you want to listen. If you get one, roll the output caps. It's an easy mod, and the difference is night and day.

David
onemug
784 posts
 
Sfar,

The Glow does have a volume control but I think of it more as an amp with a gain control. To me, a true integrated has several inputs because it is a combo of an amp and preamp and what preamp would just have one input for source. The Glow just has one set of inputs like an amp does, the volume control just allows someone to hook up one source, like a cd or tuner, and not have to buy a preamp. Like Armstrod, I use it as an amp and leave the volume control wide open.
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