Retirement integrated amp for a “fiscal conservative”

Sugden A21SE Signature.

Well, you might really enjoy a hybrid integrated that used tubes in the preamp section but solid state amplification so you get the best of both worlds and the tubes last a long time and are relatively cheap — best of both worlds. Here are a couple just as an example, but they have other more powerful models you can explore as well. Best of luck.

https://verdantaudio.com/products/unison-research-unico-90-integrated-amplifier

https://upscaleaudio.com/products/pathos-logos-mk-ii-tube-hybrid-integrated-amplifier

Here’s a powerful used Unison amp…

https://www.ebay.com/itm/365287400522

I don't buy tube amps that need 8 tubes. Then too, my speakers are 93.5db efficient Joseph doesn't list the efficiency of theirs. But from my memory I believe they used to be about 88. IOW you may need the extra 4 tubes. Rogue makes an ST-100 that uses 4 KT 120's. which has 100 wpc. It is an A rated amp from S'phile and other good reviews. I have never heard it so take it FWIW.

Also your speakers only go to 35 hz. You may want to consider a (or 2) subwoofers. I am very fond of Rel. A sub does more than just give added bass. It effects the whole spectrum and makes your main speakers sound better as well. You may consider the sub before moving from the Primaluna

that's a nice $ for an integrated. I could only tell you what's good (great) for a third of that. Simaudio, Hegel, Moonriver, Van Alstine would be on my list

I owned that same Prima luna amp for a short while.  I would agree that replacing 8 power tubes could get tiring.

Before suggesting options to consider, I have a question for you.  Did you ever find the pairing of this amp with your speakers to be a bit bright or have any edge on some recordings??

These are some of the top solid state integrateds that will possess the tonality you are interested in, that won’t break the bank, and will likely last decades.

-Luxman L-509X on used market around 6K

-Luxman L-509Z a bit more for the latest model.

-Simaudio 700i V2;

-Hegel 390 or 590 ( check out latest models too)

-Coda CsiB V1

-Pass Labs INT 60 (maybe a touch warm and might not have the last word in that woody timbre but it’s a sweet sounding amp across the board).

Congratulations on your retirement!!

Luxman make some great solid state amps that I would consider retirement amps. Also Hegel, but I think I like Luxman more since the reputation is very good..

Belles makes outstanding integrated amps. I have owned the Aria and it was as good as some separates that I have owned. It is a high current design with a high damping factor of 2000. Check out the many positive on line reviews!

https://powermodules.com/

What is your budget ?
Vinnie Rossi Brama Integrated Generation 1. 300B tubes that last 10000 hours. ( this is what I have )

Reach out to Mr. Vinnie Rossi if you can’t find one on the used market.

vinnie@vinnierossi.com

It should be your endgame integrated amp.

Agree the Belles Aria Signature is awesome...there are also many threads about combining tube preamps with solid state amps or using low powered tube amps...BAT makes some great integrated amps that are SS amp and tube preamp...

Congratulations on making it to the finish line.

"I’m not looking forward to replacing power tubes every couple years with my retirement bonus listening time"

I've use the same model for 8 years. Naturally, YMMV always applies, but good power tubes(USA NOS) have lasted 5 years in mine- that's with extended daily driving.

"would like an upright bass to sound more like a wood instrument (hard to describe in words) and hear more natural note attack and decay"

That's achieved with recording quality,room and speaker placement. 

I'd reward myself with something from Audio Research, VAC or similar pedigree to get that last bit of refinement.

Enjoy retirement  in good health.

Accuphase has some excellent integrated amps in your price range.  McIntosh has several as well, some with autoformers and others direct coupled as well as hydrid tube and SS.

@maxwave it says in the post: $8000

@grislybutter 

OK ,  thanks .

I had not  seen  it .

@ezstreams

If you choose BAT tube integrated amp. , there is a Audiogon member that

is an authotised dealer. In USA

How about one of the Leben integrateds?

Maybe:

PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid Integrated - tube pre, SS amp

LAB12 Integre4 - 4x KT150 power tubes but great sonic performance 

Krell K-300i solid state which has sliding ibias for midrange warmth.

Linear Tube Audio's integrated amps have tubes that last long time.

Bel Canto.  

Heaven-11 Billie.

Choose wisely. I happily upgraded my system right before and after retiring. Both were upgrades and musical with more tubes. One thing you really don’t want to do is make your system more flashy sounding (I’m thinking Luxman as an example)… make you focus your attention on the system. That is great when you are working because you have only a small amount of time to listen. But after retirement you may have more time, it’s likely you want the music to be pulling you to your system. You probably will want your system more musical. It would be easy to run away from tubes and find you also don’t want to listen to the music.

I have nearly fifty tubes in my system. They require changing every 3,000 hours. That’s over three years. If you have a spare pair your set for six years… that’s a long time. Maybe wait until you retire and start listening and determine your actual fiscal situation. I was extremely conservative the first couple years and then happily realized I could do the biggest upgrade I ever did. I could not be happier. I have to drag myself away from my system after listening for two or three hours each day. 

Bel Canto

Ayre

Aesthetix

When I was in the market last year a dealer let me hang out and listen to Ayer EX-8  connected to Sonetto VII. I can’t stop thinking about it.

Congrats on your retirement!!! 42 years in one company …wow!

Integrated amps around $8,000

Boulder 866 analog version, should be around $8,000 on a used market - resolving, full sound, vibrant. Downside - only XLR inputs, no subwoofer out, no preamp out. Optional USB wireless remote is functional but crappy looking (amp can be controlled via wifi thru Boulder app)

Coda CSiB - used should be under $4500. Class A for the first few watts, amazing clarity, extended top end without brightness, fast and articulate bass. Has both RCA and XLR inputs, subwoofer output, great universal remote.

You have a lot of good suggestions above as well. Good luck!!!

Atoll.  I just auditioned an Atoll 200 and orders an IN300 EVO as my retirement amp, replacing 15+ year old Bel Canto monoblocks and Pre5. The IN400 EVO is supposed to be a big step up, and it’s still in your budget. Check out the Nritish Audiophile on YouTube. 

$340 for 8 tubes every few years or $8000 now?

If you want to buy one time and really find your end game amp give Mike a call at 11 stereo….otherwise it’s all guess work…I too am loving retirement and at our age with time going by so fast we don’t have time for mistakes….no one here can give you the best advice.. he won’t sell you something you don’t need…his customers like me belong to his tribe, he takes a personal interest in our systems and has never sold me anything that didn’t match my system and make it sing..

Aesthetix Mimas should be on your list. Retired myself in Feb 2024, bought Mimas on June 2024! Very nice sounding Integrated. I added the built in DAC which is also very nice sounding. 

Look no further! Ayre Acoustics AX-5 Twenty. Zero feedback fully balanced is the solid state which sounds the most like tubes. I own full R Series and QX-5 Twenty for dac after selling my dCS Bartok Apex.

Rolling 7581A in place of the EL34 will fix the bass.

I’d like to get additional damping factor bass control than my current amp provides

I think that the Vincent SV-737 would warrant looking at. Tube hybrid with great power and craftsmanship. 

Another vote for Pass Labs INT-60

and/or talking with Mikey @ 11stereo.com

I recently upgraded my system for retirement.  My SQ goals similar to what you describe.  I finally chose Burmester. The house sound is clear, true timbre, light fast transients and solid dynamics, dense images, and excellently staging with tube-like liquid treble and midrange.  New would be above your budget but you can find a use 082 in, or possibly an 032 (more power) just above your budget.  Highly recommend adding both models to your audition list.