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  3. 127453-91142

Best Tube Amp for B&W Bookshelf

I own a pair of CDM1’s. A few years ago I heard a tube amp at a trade show. I think it was a Manley Stingray. It sounded amazing. Would this be a good choice for my B&W’s?

Or or does anyone have a better choice? My budget is about $3500.

I listen to mostly female vocal singer-songwriter folk/pop, jazz and classical. Clean warm vocals and sweet acoustic guitars that sparkle are what I liked about the tubes I heard at the trade show.

The souce was SACD. I think it was Alison Krauss Patricia Barber or Holy Cole. On another SACD I think I also heard an acoustic finger plucked piece by Lindsay Buckingham/Fleetwood Mac ’ Never Going Back Again".

Both cuts were truly memorable and made an impression as to the beauty of tubes. I have Crown Reference II solid state amps currently in my system.

This will be my first tube amp. My head end is Emm Labs -- DAC, transport, and pre. Please can you give me advice for integratedes and/or mono blocks in the $3500 range? I realize this is not much of a budget for quality tube amps ... I just need some pointing in the right direction based on experience and with possibly the same musical tastes. Thank you.
128x128rocketroom
tablejockey
3,859 posts
 
this listing in your budget:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Primaluna-Prologue-Premiums-/222323688377?hash=item33c38643b9:g:jsIAAOSwmmxW...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Prima-Luna-Prologue-Premium-Preamp-/322334715994?hash=item4b0ca5705a:g:3OoAA...

The PL line has numerous write ups as unmatched value gear.
You will be hard pressed to find a better deal.

They have been listed for awhile. Offer $2500 for the amps. You and the seller should be able to find a middle ground.

You will have a killer system for the money.

I have the PL Dialogue Premium HP setup.




mrisney's avatar
mrisney
13 posts
 
Cary SLI-80, integrated, and I used it to  power my B&W 805S
Then I got cats and we have a new baby, so without a cage, the Cary is tempting for a cat to jump on it, or small fingers curiously reach around the tubes.  Back to Solid State I am

They come up for sale quite a bit, solid, you can get your money back for whatever you end up paying for it. 

This is fantastic integrated tube amp


wolf_garcia
6,676 posts
 
For that money you could buy an excellent Jolida integrated (actually, you could buy 2 of them), including the premium parts new one ("Fusion" 3502S) that accepts more tubes than previously (a switch is now provided for your Tube Rolling entertainment needs). I've owned one of their Factory Upgraded 502p amps for a few years now and have compared it to much more costly stuff and man…it's a GREAT sounding and well made amp for WAY less money than most, and mine has worked flawlessly. Note Jolida doesn't give me a free amp or anything else for all the hype I've provided them over the years…but they could start now (come on Jolida…almost nobody reviews your amps…seriously…). 
tablejockey
3,859 posts
 
rocketroom,

this listing is even nicer than my original suggestion.

Get this one, your done.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tube-primaluna-dialogue-premium-hp-black-2016-12-18-integrateds-43...

It will blow blow away pretty much anything in the price range.
There isn't any negative reviews on this amp.
rocketroom's avatar
rocketroom OP
36 posts
 
Hi! It’s been a while since I’ve been on AudioGon forums. For any and all of you that responded I want to THANK YOU! 

I did some research and made some phone calls... And the winner is... PrimaLuna Dialog Premium Integrated. Bought one from the factory dealer here on the west coast. Had it for about a year now. Sounds amazing! The build quality is impeccable. I HIGHLY recommend this unit! 
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