Beginners Tube Amp Recommendations

I'll second Newbee's suggestion of the Sonic Frontiers SFS-40. I ran some fairly inefficient speakers (86db) with one in a small room with great results. The best part of this amp to a beginner (or a veteran) is the flexibility of tubes it can run - kt88, kt90, kt99, 6550 or el34 in the output stage and in the input and driver stages - 6922 or 7308. And those are just from memory, I bet there are even more options. Great for tube rolling and finding out which valves suit your tastes.

Look for an Audio Research VT60 (about 6-7 years old). Excellent sonics for the $$. Jolida 1501 RC is also quite good.

Thanks for all the help guys. I checked the Jolida hybrids and found out they cannot drive 4ohm speakers, that's why I have to be extra careful in choosing amp.

I wet my feet with Jolida and some Dynaudio. I realized that tubes was the way I wanted to go.

My next step was Rouge Audio. Great amps, great company. You have to spend a lot more to get a lot better. My next step will be Joule-Electra when I save up my pennies.

BTW, do get the Magnum version if you do get Rouges, it does make a big difference.

If you can stretch a little, $900-$1500 or so you could get an Aronov LS960 used. It sells for around $3,000 new. I have owned or auditioned many tube amps and this is the best I have heard. Absolutely outstanding, is self biasing and you can use eithet 6550C's KT88's or KT90's. Typicaly 6550C's will last up to 10 years before they need replacement. Like a Jadis with base.