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Separates to tube integrated

I have been on an audio hiatus for a few years, like 10+. I am seriously considering selling my separate amp and pre-amp for a tube integrated. I want to keep it simple and classic. I currently have a Classe CA-151 amp and Classe SSP-25 preamp (used to have a surround system which is why I have the SSP25). I don't do video anymore and no vinyl so a phono stage is not part of the decision. In my past systems I have owned some tubed Pre-amps from Conrad Johnson, Audible Illusions. I have always enjoyed the sound of tubes but never owned a tube amp. These days I want to keep it simple and straight forward, pure 2 channel audio, mostly CD's and a streamer of some sort in the near future. I am currently running the B&W CDM9NT speakers. Was looking at a tube integrated like either the Primaluna EVO 300 or Rogue Cronus Magnum. Again, no phono stage needed just an audio source or 2. Based on a lot of the customer reviews I have read I am leaning on the EVO 300. Do I stand to lose any by going to an integrated? I am guessing from what I have read I will actually be gaining. I am trying to find one in my area to listen to but with this whole virus thing its tough and nobody has one anywhere in my region. Thoughts?
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shahram
115 posts
 
You can also look at Vincent audio for a Hybrid design. The one below is really well reviewed. It's class A solid state with a tube preamp.

https://www.vincent-tac.de/en/product-lines/tubeline/sv-700.html
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scotttubenut
16 posts
 
I just sold a PrimaLuna Evo 300 integrated, and it was a sweet amp! If I hadn't recently gotten into DIY SET and couldn't afford to run two systems, I would never have let the Evo 300 go. I used it to good effect with a pair of Dynaudio Excite X38's and the Evo had no problem driving them at 4 ohms and 88 db. One feature of the Evo 300 that I really enjoyed was its ability to drive headphones, as I listen about equally to speakers and to headphones. Unlike many integrateds that run a separate op-amp based circuit to drive headphones, PrimaLuna diverts the speaker outs to a voltage divider to drive the headphones, so you get the full benefit of the tubes. I purchased the PrimaLuna after having used a series of solid state integrateds and separates and will probably never go back to full SS. Tubes are it for me for the foreseeable future.
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millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Do I stand to lose any by going to an integrated? I am guessing from what I have read I will actually be gaining.

That's right. At least if you go with a Raven. https://www.ravenaudio.com/product/nighthawk-mk3-tube-amplifier/
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hilde45
4,974 posts
 
The Raven integrated is 20 wpc and $3k. Quicksilver has a 20 wpc integrated for $2k. Both good reputations.  Not sure why Raven is better. I listened to the QS and it drove some pretty resistant Dynaudio bookshelves very well and had a lovely sound. 
elliottbnewcombjr
5,491 posts
 
I own, so can highly recommend Cayin Equipment quality and tube sound. Designed in Germany, made in China, a brick s...house. I took the bottom off when I got it, very impressive inside.

I bought a used A88T, It lets you run 6550’s or KT88’s, which is nice, it came with 6550’s, very nice, tried and prefer KT88’s, just slightly different. Optional Pre-Amp Pass Thru for future changes to your system

this review helped me decide.

https://6moons.com/audioreviews/cayin/a88t.html

VAS, USA Distributor, is highly respected.

Consider remote control features when you look (they are not always mentioned, you may need to dig for answers).

A88T has a remote, input switching (who cares?), volume remote which I must have, and remote triode/ultra linear switch, easy to hear instant difference while listening (I and everyone of my friends definitely prefer ultra-linear).

No remote balance, which is a must for me to tweak the imaging a bit on ’a bit off’ tracks. I get that via Chase RLC-1

Also, any modern tube amp, check for external bias control, and bias meters, I wish I had that. My early version lacks that, but it had 16 ohm speaker taps which I need.
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