Tube Integrated


I am looking for opinions/suggestions on tube integrated amplifers(either SE or P/P). My budget is probably US$1-2k (used). It will be used as the amp for a second system to drive efficient speakers or inefficient headphones (though headphone jack not necessary).

I have heard the EAR 859 and liked it quite a bit (though would be happy changing the pot - has anyone done that?). I have heard various Unison Research integrateds and thought they were a bit "soft". I have VTLs in my main system and am happy with the sound.

Thanks in advance.
Travis
t_bone
Try a Cary SLI 50, point to point wiring, chrome chassis, tube rectified power supply, EL34 output tubes running pure class A operation for 30 watts. This amp has a certain magic that I have found in no other and it kicks butt also. There was one advertized here not that long ago.
Hello Travis,

I own a Decware SE34-I Integrated tube amp and could not be happier. I have had much more expensive audio gear and there was no contest, the Decware Zen amp put them all to shame. If you have efficient enough speakers, it will get plenty loud in an average sized room.

good luck, Paul
I've heard a comparison between the Manley Stingray and the Arpege, and to my ears, the Stingray was, well, lifeless by comparison. The opposite of compelling and engaging My two cents.
Thanks to all for your responses. I ended up purchasing a used EAR 859 after comparing it to the following:

VTL IT-85 (not really broken in)
Manley Stingray (somewhat broken in)
Bow Technologies ZZ-One (broken in)
Marantz Model 66 (not really broken in)
Musical Fidelity A3.2 (broken in)
[the EAR 859 was somewhat broken in]

They were all tested using Esoteric P-70/D-70 Transport/DAC combos, and AKG K-1000 headphones.

The most 'musical' was the EAR 859. Perhaps it was the SET circuit (the other tube amps were all push-pull) but of all the amps tested, it seemed to make the most naturally flowing music (though it seemed to have a tad higher noise floor than most of the others). It was the first time I had clearly heard the difference between push-pull and SET. The VTL IT-85 was excellent and was quite obviously of the same family as the VTL monoblocks in my main system. I thought the Stingray sounded somewhat similar in tone though the increase in power was obvious in a fuller and tighter bass. After much MF-bashing in this forum and on AA, I was pleasantly surprised by the A3.2, but between the two solid state amps, I preferred the Bow as it seemed less lean. The Marantz Model 66 was quite nice as well, very much in the way of traditional Marantz tube amplification but while highly musical, it seemed somewhat mushy in the bass.

The stars of these tests were actually the AKG earspeakers. The AKG earspeakers are absolutely fabulous and I HIGHLY recommend them. Warning: they do suck down A LOT of power. They are supposed to like an 8W amp or better but I managed to make both the EAR 859 (13.5W) and the Stingray (25W) clip on a certain passage in Mars: Bringer of War in Holst's Planets. Despite the clipping, the music was wonderful with the EAR so I will just avoid that disk when using the AKGs.