Recommendation Tube Integrated


At this juncture (nearly 2024) what are folks' best recommendagtion for a tube integrated amp.  Constraints would be $10K (preferrably $5K or less), at least 35 watts per channel.  New or used.  Goal would be smooth, creamy sound.  My current system, which I would consider very good solid state sound, can still be a little ...hard.... to my sensitive ears at times, and I'm thinking a tube option would be nice.  Thanks.

mathiasmingus

@mathiasmingus-Have you gotten a tube integrated? If not, I'd look at Unison Research Triode 25. 45 W in Pentode/25 in Triode. The Triode meets your smooth and creamy criteria, as well as being resolving/involving. 

https://unisonresearch.com/en/prodotti/triode-25-2/

I agree with the poster above who recommended the Synthesis A100 Titan.  It is a rich, smooth and natural sounding amp with lots of punch too.  I heard 40.2 with that amp or its little brother, the A40 (single pair of KT 66 tubes per channel vs. four tubes per channel on the A100), and the sound was quite good.  The 40.2s are a somewhat touchy speakers—they can sound sloppy and sluggish with amps that lack the punch of the Synthesis amp and it is not just a matter of power.  The best I heard from them was when they were matched with a twenty-something watt amp-Audio Note Gaku On-that costs a fortune.