The Audio Research VS-55 is the answer! This is the best bang-for-buck of any tube amp out there. It can we had for around $1500 used--even less. It's the lowest cost tube amp to re-tube of any out there. I've had one for 4-years and I'll NEVER sell it! My system sounds world-class for a fraction of the bucks of many of these audiophile setups. If you're near San Diego, you can come by and audition it with me if you want. I'd love to show it off.
btw, I did put it head to head with a McIntosh MC-75 and my VS-55 cooked it. I was amazed! I almost made a mistake by buying the MC-75 but the seller let me audition it in my setup first. (Caveat, I have no idea what state the MC-75's tubes were in. But I wasn't going to buy all new tubes for it to find out if that would improve it or not).
Now, all that being said, everything matters! Source, speakers, preamp and amp--all of it. I had to sift though a few pieces before I hit on this setup. But, for me, the setup I have now is reference. I will only change pieces out if it can improve what I already have by auditioning said piece before I buy it. I've already made one mistake by going by reviews for a piece that didn't really cut it.
