2. amps-preamps
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Who makes the highest quality tube gear?

One scale of 1-10, 10 being best designed and constructed technically, personal sound preferences aside, who are the 8s, 9s, and 10s?

VAC, ARC, Atmasphere would seem like likely candidates I can think of. Are they ?

Where does Decware rank? Rogue? How about others?

SOme technical facts to help support any claims is appreciated please.

Durability and reliability matters to me here as much as anything. I would want my tube gear to continue to work as reliably as designed years down the road as well as up front.

THanks.

Thanks.
128x128mapman
raytheprinter's avatar
raytheprinter
1,234 posts
 
Mapman,I was just having a little fun! I was going to make some changes on my system(way overdue!) but think ill wait till some of the bugs get worked out.Ray
isochronism
2,893 posts
 
Mapman's first post specified Amplifiers.
This post is open to other tube equipment.
I vote for Doshi Preamps. And how about those tube driven ICs??
rbrowne
175 posts
 
For what it's worth, I used an Audio Note M1 pre-amp and P2SE amp for 15 and 16 years respectively with absolutely no problems regarding reliability. I never had an issue with either one. I no longer have them, but the new owners haven't reported any problems with either one to me.
calloway
870 posts
 
...Chalice Audio ..maker of the 'Grail' SET monoblocks...are certainly in a handful of SET's that can be called...if there is such a thing...the best..i have heard the Audio Note...Lamm refs..and most of the other great SETs and the Grails do everything better then any of the others to my ears.
tom_hankins
928 posts
 
For a combination of sonics, reliability, and customer service, also tube life is extremely long. BAT has worked for me for years. On sonics alone (I've heard but not owned) I really like the VAC products too.
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