Tube integrated amp
tmartin2 -- Thu, 01/26/2006 - 20:17
I'm looking for a good tube integrated amp under $1500. Suggestions?
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You should check out the PrimaLuna Prologue One.
It's a tube integrated rated at 35 watts/channel
with 4 EL-34s. It has some nice features like "Adaptive AutoBias" (no need for matched tubes; reduced distortion) and "Softstart." Suggested retail is $1195.
The PrimaLuna Prologue Two offers a bit more power (40 watts/channel), KT88s, and upgraded parts ($1445).
If you can spend some more, at CES PrimaLuna was showing a prototype of the Dialogue One integrated at ~ $2K.
Good luck!
Jim
Posted: 30, Jan Mon 2006 12:36 pm Post subject:
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To address the tubed integrated amp question, I'll second Jim's endorsement of the Prima Luna. I spoke with the distributor at the recent CES who told me how they can pack so much performance into the unit and keep the cost down. They don't do it by cutting corner on the product. It is amazing for the price.
Joining in on the PrimaLuna Prologue One recommendation. I also have looked into the Unison Research Unico (hybrid), the Antique Sound Lab series of tube amps (I own their tubed headphone amp HB-1 and love it), and the Jolida amps (some also hybrid). I like the premise behind hybrids - best of both worlds with a lovely life-like sound and fast, dynamic bottom. IMHO that is (I am a relative newbie).
I also think the PrimaLunas are pretty special.
However, if you have some flexibility on price, here are two units well worth considering. These are particularly significant if you happen to need (or think you might need) a relatively high-powered amplifier.
1. [All Tube] JoLida JD 1000A (See AVgM review archived on this site). 100 Wpc @ $1699
2. [Tube/Transistor Hybrid] Vincent SV-236 (See AVgM review archived on this site). 100 Wpc @ $1795
Best,
Chris Martens
Audio Editor, The Perfect Vision
Senior Writer, The Absolute Sound
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
The VTL IT85 also looks interesting.
Robert Harley
Editor-in-Chief
The Perfect Vision
The Absolute Sound
The Shanling STP-80 is slight more expensive but sounds very good.
Follow up: I've just become aware of a relatively new and very affordable option you might want to check out. Specifically, Vincent now offers a new preamp/power amp pair that just fits your price window.
Vincent S-31 preamp (based on 6NI6 tubes): $499.95.
Vincent SP-331 power amp (150 Wpc): $999.95.
Happy listening, and good luck in your search.
Chris Martens
Audio Editor, The Perfect Vision
Senior Writer, The Absolute Sound
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
Pathos Classic Mk2 or 3 - awesome bit of kit....
e5 sig (modded to death), Pathos classic mk3 (Amprx pq), acoustic zen intcncts, Anthony Gallo Ref 3.1, LP12 valhalla Lingo, Tramp, Senn HD650, Graham Slee Solo, Townsend Isolda, Scofield Power Mk1+2, IsoTek mains.
apols - still thinking in pounds... The pathos is probably above your limit.
Prima Luna then... no question
e5 sig (modded to death), Pathos classic mk3 (Amprx pq), acoustic zen intcncts, Anthony Gallo Ref 3.1, LP12 valhalla Lingo, Tramp, Senn HD650, Graham Slee Solo, Townsend Isolda, Scofield Power Mk1+2, IsoTek mains.
tmartin2 wrote:I'm looking for a good tube integrated amp under $1500. Suggestions?
What kind of speakers are you driving?
check out the Cayin A-50T...$1200 tubed integrated 35wpc with remote:
http://www.vasaudio.com/product_a50t.htm
(disclaimer: I'm in the process of becoming a Cayin dealer...)
Phil Lam
Sonic Spirits Inc.
http//www.sonicspirits.com