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Integrated Amp for Girlfriend?

Hi Folks:
I want to get an integrated amp for my girlfriend and would value any advice or recommendations. I hope to spend anywhere from $400 to $800 and am open to new or used stuff. I'm particularly interested in an aesthetically cool looking unit - I am considering the Blue Circle CS integrated, for example. She would be very open to tube designs too(she loves my tube gear). Thanks!
John.
128x128outlier
zaikesman
3,017 posts
 
She's losing her job, and you're messing around looking at dinky little slim-line boxes? Quit playing cheap and get her a C-J CAV-50 or a VTL IT-85, if you want to keep her past the unemployment checks!
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,834 posts
 
-As long as she can get by with only 15 watts/channel. You'll need easy to drive speakers but the amp is very nice sounding and the investment is minimal.

The unit will accept high output phono cartidges so a turntable is possible. The line section is passive- theres a total of 8 tubes in the unit.

By rebuilt: new power supply filter caps and new coupling caps in the output section. Find a decent set of 6BQ5s or else put in new ones. Set up right, the amp is very reliable. Set up poorly and you'll be pulling your hair out.

The fun part is it'll totally give the new integrated amps a run for the money- it has the best sounding output transformers Dyna made.
buckingham
333 posts
 
The Musical Fidelity A3 is great and can be found for about $700-$750 here on the gon. BTW it looks great too.
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,594 posts
 
Outliar: What speakers will she be using? Based on this I might be able to make a few integrated tube amp suggestions. Also what is the price of the CS (it is quite attractive as is other BC gear).
outlier's avatar
outlier OP
381 posts
 
Hi, thanks again for all the responses. I don't want to spend too much (rather upgrade my own system :-), so would rather spend in the $600 area. I'm still leaning toward the Blue Circle CS as I think she'll like that most and I'm already a happy Blue Circle owner. I think the CS retails for about $800, but I believe a 20% can be had direct from Blue Circle with shipping included if there's no dealer in one's area. Anyway, I'll think about it further. Speakers would be $300 infinity bookshelfs (can't remember the model # offhand). They should do the job. CD player, will, alas, be either a CD walkman or some cheap Sony DVD player (I know, almost sacrilege, but will get her started - I'm hoping the amp will be the first step toward long term upgrades for her).

Dekay, by the way, in reference to an older thread, I took your advice and got loads of IKEA Lack tables for my components - they work so well - I cut all but 3 inches off the legs. Thanks for this cost effective idea (so cheap, that the shipping cost more than the tables :-) Cheers,
John.
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