2. amps-preamps
  3. 1245254122

Best intro to tube integrateds?

I would like to try a tube integrated sometime within the next few months. Is jolida the best entry brand or should I save a little longer and try something more upscale? My current system consists of: Rega P3-24 with rega exact and michell clamp, marantz ST 7001, Music Hall Maverick, Music Hall A25.2, Epos M1s, and audioquest king cobras.
anjowin
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Cayin, best sound, best value.
soulbrass
246 posts
 
I've owned both Jolida and Cayin EL34 integrateds and have to agree w/ Buconero117 - the Cayin outclasses the Jolida...but by any measure, the Jolida is no disappointment!!!

Either will give you a good taste of tubes and, should you decide to move on, both are easily sold with little or no loss - assuming you bought used.
cruz123
586 posts
 
My first tube amp was a Jolida 302 and I liked it a lot. Cayin and Prima Luna are other good choices. I believe the Prima Luna is auto bias (don't know about Cayin), whis is a plus.
gslone
274 posts
 
I've owned a Jolida 202A, and liked it OK with a pair of B&W 603's...It made a nice bedroom system.
Check out a Rogue Cronus, if you can. I heard one with a pair of Magnepan 1.6, listening to some vinyl. I was very impressed with the combination of warmth and detail it produced - nothing sounded smeared, and it also carried the bottom end much better then my 202A. I also thought the Rogue had a very nice built-in phono section.
More to discover