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Best integrated tube amp for around $2000

I have my eye on a Cary SLI-80 but would like to hear if I can do better for a second hand amp in the $2000 range. Please share your faves and why. I want to have a remote control with it but otherwise not too picky, so long as the sound is great.
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johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
A couple good candidates would be the Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum and the Yamaha A-S2000. They're entirely different, but both have about the same power rating. The Cronus is an all tube integrated; the Yamaha is a very high current SS amp with some proprietary circuitry.
trelja
3,224 posts
 
You can't go wrong with that Cary, or the SLI30.

Other interesting choices would be the ARC VSI60, Jadis Orchestra/Orchestra Reference, Manley Stingray, previously mentioned Rogue Audio Cronus, VAC Auricle, and VTL IT85.
polk432
1,142 posts
 
Get the Cary. I love my SLP98P and CAD 120s. I'll never go back to SS, no matter how inaccurate some feel tube sound is. If tube sounds better who cares about accuracy?
mikirob
955 posts
 
Second Trelja, get the Cary, you will not be sorry, great match with the Harbeth, nice music-lovers synergy.
calbrs03
184 posts
 
The Cary. I drove my ProAc D28s nicely with an SLI-80. There are days when I wish I hadn't sold it. It's easy to bias and reacts well to tube rolling--just don't get carried away coz there's 10 tubes. Nice headphone section completes the package.
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