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I second the Cronus. If you buy used you can get well under budget.
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Yogiboy and secretguy, thanks for the Cronus Magnum III suggestion! Can either of you comment on whether you have this combo or have some experience with either that leads to the CM III as a good partner. I know a lot of this is personal preference in music playback but some personal experience from others would be a great contribution in my decision. Thanks again. Especially for your time.
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I don’t have that combo. A friend used the Rogue with bookshelf Harbeths and it sounded real nice. BTW, if you want an all tube integrated I doubt you would go wrong with the Rogue!!
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I had the Cronus Magnum 1 integrated and did not like the presentation with the supplied KT120 tubes. There always seemed to be a little almost inaudible hash to the sound I did not like.
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Thanks stereo5...consideration noted. Looking through some articles on the CM, I do think it has potential with the Polk L100s. I'm hoping others can weigh in on other experienced based options.
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Check out the LSA VT-70. You can return it if you don’t like it!
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You really need to share what improvements/sound characteristics you’re looking for with switching to a tube integrated as their sound characteristics vary greatly. Also, would you be open to a hybrid tube/SS design or do you want a pure tube amp?
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Thanks donvito and soix.
Soix - my L100s and Quad 99pre/909 amps sound very good as mentioned above. I'm happy with them. I'm experimenting with tubes so I can't say I'm looking for an improvement but rather a very good experience of what tubes give in terms of audio playback. Things I enjoy in music played through audio equipment are natural tones, clean but not rigid bass and instruments, free of glare and/or hardness. Enjoyable, fun and not fatiguing.
I would be open to a hybrid tube/ss if it gave me the above. I can tell you I've tried a pure class d amp (from NAD) and it didn't suit my tastes. So tubes + class D may not work for me but who knows...I'm experimenting.
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I have the Cronus Magnum II driving Ohm Walsh 5000s. I don’t have much of anything to compare, but to me the sound is wonderful. It fills the room. When I think of listening when I’m away from the stereo, the memory is physical, if that makes sense. I’ve become a big fan of funk! It will certainly drive big woofers. I’m not sure if it’s the speakers or amp or both, but most impressive is the detail and punch of bass and percussion, and dynamics in general. I bought it used from a dealer. He said to expect some noise, but mine is silent using an older PS Audio regenerator in a mostly ungrounded old house. I have only upgraded the preamp tube a bit to a gold lion.
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Thanks sryeager. Right now the CM does look like the leading contender. I'm also wondering weather the Line Magnetic 88ia would work but not much on this one on the intranet.
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Your speakers are rated at 85.5 dB and dip at least down to 3 Ohms so you’ll need more power than the 88ia can provide, and it’s also the reason I asked if you’d be open to a hybrid amp. I’d recommend at least 70Wpc, and at your price new that’s gonna be a tough ask for a tube integrated, and the CM is one of the few that could work. There is an open-box Unison Unico Due that uses a tube input stage and solid state output that provides 100Wpc and is being offered at $2900 that is $1100 off retail and strikes me as a good deal and a good fit for what you’re looking for. Best of luck.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/364023473071
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Audio Advisor sells Vincent Audio which also makes a hybrid integrated.
Another thought is to purchase a tube preamp to drive your SS amplifier since it seems to please you driving your Polk speakers.
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Soix - good point about the L100s specs and performance. I was thinking the 88ia because when stereophile reviewed the L100s they concluded the Cary SLI80 HS in triode mode (40watts) bested two other amps. However, this is not expertise so I can't elaborate on the tube impact.
I have my eyes on a couple of used Cronus Magnums and will check out the Unison.
Thanks everyone.
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The CM and Unico Due are both great amps so I’d suggest reading the reviews and see which meets more with your tastes. Also, if the ‘pile found the Cary worked well in Triode mode maybe I’m just wrong and maybe the Line Magnetic should still be in play — certainly great amps for the $. Please let us know whatever you end up doing as I’m sure the results will be enlightening.
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Soix - not much out there on Unison Due. Is there any experience you might have with this integrated?
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