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Tube Integrated Under 1,500

Looking for tube integrated for a second system. I have 1,500 tops to spend, and I will definitely buy used. Im thinking el34 but maybe an el84. I need at least 30 watts and something that’s fairly stout for tube. Maybe I could get by with 20 watts if I went el84 but not sure. Speakers are Totem Rainforest, which I believe are 86db, and the room is small, about 9x11x8.

I’m leaning pretty strongly towards grabbing a Primaluna. I have Primaluna seperates in my main system and am pretty happy with them. I’m trying to be open to other brands for this new amp but I’m struggling to find much that I feel confident about getting service for down the road. I’m hoping folks on here can lead me to some things I’ve missed maybe. I’m aware of Willsenton and Muzishare but not to confident if I need parts in 5-10 years they will be available. Line Magnetic I’d be open to if I could find the right amp in my price range. After those brands I’m not aware of much. There’s Icon but there amps seem to be about half the weight compared to some others. Just not sure there is good value there I guess. LSA has there new integrated but it also seems a bit cheap to me. Rogue seems to run there tubes pretty hard and I find the Chronus pretty hideous cosmetically. Jolida/ Black Ice seem alright I just can’t really get into the looks, and the used market seems weak if I ever sell.

Anyways, I’m not sure what else is really out there but hopefully you guys do. I thought it was worth asking before I grab another Primaluna.

brylandgoodman
brylandgoodman OP
91 posts
 

So I pulled the trigger on a Primaluna Dialogue One. It is set to arrive later this week. I expect I’ll be pretty smitten with it but will know for sure soon. It is an older design than my Dialogue Premium amp and pre so maybe the sound will vary more than I expect. Should be a nice little second system though with my Node feeding the Dialogue feeding my little Totems. 

Thanks for all the ideas given. I ended up with Primaluna anyways but all the opinions helped me realize I should just grab another Primaluna. 
 

 

ghdprentice
6,957 posts
 

Congratulations. Looking forward to hearing your impressions when you receive it. 

jerryg123's avatar
jerryg123
3,429 posts
 

Happy for you. Hope it is all that and a bag of chips.

brylandgoodman OP
91 posts
 

So I’ve had the Dialogue One up and running for a few days now and early impressions are great. It’s honestly making me think about selling my Dialogue Premium seperates. Although it will go into another system eventually I’ve initially installed it in my main system to see how it compares to the Primaluna seperates.  I’ve always been curious what the difference between an integrated and comparable seperates was.  So far I think the separates may have a blacker background, a touch better bass, a touch more extension up top, and sound overall a bit more hifi. The integrated though may be doing something a bit better as well though.  Tough for me to articulate or even understand exactly what it is. Maybe, more engaging with a touch more bloom in the mids and bass.  While it doesn’t sound as good in a few ways it may have better flow, more musical? I plan to keep playing with it and I’ll see where it goes. Next step is to use my Dialogue Premium preamp with the Integrated on amp duties, that should be interesting. Then I’ll probably switch back to the seperates, and I think that should make it pretty clear at that point what’s what.   

mesch
3,476 posts
 

Yes, listen to your new amp for awhile prior to changing back. I would cycle through the alternatives a few times prior to selling something and regretting it later. I have made that mistake.

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