Ok....Audiogoners: need some tube amp ideas


Any suggestion/comment is appreciated. Just off the top of my head, below is a list of initial parameters.

- budget: $4k ish (somewhat flexible)
- tubes/valves amp(s)
- preowned or new
- mono or stereo configuration
- min wattage: 70 and higher (this rating would afford me more speaker options down the road e.g. 4/8 ohm and >88db efficiency)
- brand(s): leaning toward more esoteric manufacturers or models (e.g. Dodd 120, VAC PHI, Audio Valves); would prefer staying away from manufactueres that do magazine advertisement.

Current thought: I might push the budget a bit to consider a pair of preowned Lamm ML1.

Thanks much. (currently listening to Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2 by NY Philharmonic/Berstein)

Ken
kyyuan
Hi Ken,
I perceive a change in the market toward more efficient speakers. You may want to adjust your parameters with this in mind. There are many more options at lower power within your budget and a reduction in quantity might enable you to purchase higher quality with the same outlay.
Tom
How about some other brand such as Art Audio, Mastersound, EAR...?
I used to own VAC (all the top models) and never like their sound.
No contest....Rogue M-150 Monoblocks. I don't read the magazines, so I don't know if they advertise.
Anyway, 150 watts ultralinear/100 watts triode.
New price is $4000. Hard to find used but go for $2600-2900. One of the best value in amps.
Hi Ken

Unlike Linkoping, I love my VAC amps. I believe that they offer tremendous value when joined with Martin Logan speakers. Have not ever tried box type speakers although I will put some Avalon Eclipses in my system as an experiment sometime soon. Good luck.

Steve