Need help picking my first tube amp


Hey guys i want to get into tubes, i have heard wayyyyyyy to much and am dying to try a tube amp.  I have a budget of 650 us dollars, not sure if i want a pre amp, or full tube amp.   Im thinking pre amp cause i would really like it to drive headphones and then run it into a amp and then to speakers.

Been reading alot about Chineese tube amps and not sure what to think.  I have my eye on Xduoo TA-26 gets rave reviews has anybody used it ?  anyways looking for any input i can get, thanks.

 

Michael

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Im not calling it a day, im going to get a tube pre amp.

 

MP-301 MK3. is out from music paradise, heard some reviews and its only 6.5 watts and very bass thin from the review.  

I have an Audible Illusions Pre (Modulus line stage).
It is not bad and used is just within your budget.

@holmz I would stay away from AI units. They drive their tubes very hard and it will reduce lifetime of the tubes. Not sure if you have experienced this.

@pwerahera I ordered some new tubes… They have been in since the last millennium … But the whole thing sounds pretty nice, and I am not expecting an ah-ha moment. But it would be nice if it happened. (It really cannot get a lot better)

But maybe they drive them harder in units after 1998… I dunno.