EL34 Integrated

How about a Dyna stereo 70 with an input volume control. BTW to Ponnie...tube amps are voltage amplifiers, transistor amps are current amplifiers. Sometimes tube amps with huge power supplies can also act like current amplifiers too. If you are running dynamic speakers current amps do a better job of controling the bottom end. Voltage amplifiers do a better job with electrostats, as they dont want to see current, just voltage.
G. Garfield

Conrad Johnson: CAV 50 (if you can find one)
Rogue Audio: Cronus

both great values!

I have heard both the Sophia EL34 and the Onix SP3 in my system. Am surprised that these two can be mentioned in the same thread IMO. If EL34 sound is what you're after (and that's what you asked for), then the SP3 will NOT deliver that.

I prefer EL34 sound to whatever the SP3 has. The Sophia sounded good but I found QC somewhat lacking.

What are your speakers' sensitivity?

A previous poster mentioned the Onix SP-3. I'm glad to hear from someone who has experience with the Sophia, thank you. I was hoping to hear more about the three amplifiers mentioned above. There was much previous discussion about the Prologue One and the Cayin TA-30, but I would be very glad to hear about how it compares with the Sophia and the TAD-60. The speakers I have in mind have a sensitivity of 84db, but I don't need them to play very loud.

If you are inclined to consider a complimentary tube type (EL84), you might also speak to George Wright (www.wright-sound.com) about a new integrated EL84 amp that he will soon have in production. It will have many features, including plug-ins for iPod, USB, etc. His amps get as close to the music as any I've heard--at any price--and they are one of the true bargains in this hobby.