Entry Level Tube Integrated Amps


I’d like to dip my toe into the tube world. Does anyone have experience, or have listened to, an LSA-70T or a Willsenton R300 tube integrated amp? Thanks in advance for your opinion(s)!

scotthiga

Quicksilver Integrated would work great with your speakers. Very well-made EL84 amp that has a warmer, liquid presentation. It would definitely sound different than the integrated amps you are currently using.

You have gotten a lot of very good suggestions. I would add looking at amps made by Boyuurange Reisong to the list -- especially the A50 MKIII 300B and the A10 EL34. Both are built like a tank, a ridiculous value (you could buy both and spend less than $1,800), and allow you to "test the waters" of tube amplification without taking out a second mortgage.  The big caveat, however, is the low output.  These amps will work fine with your Heresy's, and should be OK with the Omega's.  I am using Polk Audio Monitor 10's with the A10 EL34 and it sounds excellent.  The A10 is only around 6 watts per channel.  The Dennis Had gear I mention below could not push the Polk Audio's, but I also have Klipsch Forte II's and Heresy's from the early 1980's which is perfect with the Had gear.  The Reisong amps make the Klipsch sound like butter.

 

I already had a McIntosh MC-225 from 1963 paired with an ARC preamp, and a Dennis Had Inspire 45 "Fire Bottle" paired with a Had LP3.1 Preamp. I wanted a low cost tube integrated for a bedroom system that I was putting together. The Reisong’s were perfect choices for my situation. They have been my only experience with "Chi-Fi", and I have not had a single problem over the 5 years of ownership. Happy shopping!

In the exact price range as the Willsenton R8 is the Muzishare X7 KT88. Some electronic techs who know tube gear examined both and some said the Muzishare might be a touch better and safer. Tubes can obviously be expensive, but they don't have to be. There are new tubes being made that reviewers do like such as the PSVANE Horizon tubes. What seems to separate a "good" tube amp from a "great" one are the transformers used, the quality of switches, rotary bias and volume controls and how well negative feedback is used to lower distortion. 

I think now Willsenton took to heart some of the constructive criticism and has changed the value of a certain resistor to make red plating less likely, so that is good.  The resistor should melt before causing a fire. 

I love my McIntosh MA252 integrated amp.  I love its profile, but more than that, I love the sound.  I have used it to power S/F Serafino’s, and now have my MT5 turntable hooked up, a BlueSound Node, and running into B&W 804’s.  I don’t use this system currently to power the living room, but I have in a previous house.  It is a lovely sounding piece of equipment (set up).