should i do tube?

>a tube amp isn't going to make that significant amount of change<

IMHO and experience, it makes a rather large change, even if tonally speaking its similar, you loose the liquidity that a tube amp can bring to the system. I have a summer (SS amp) to back up my tubes when it gets too hot. Its a good amp and considered by many to have tube like qualities (thats why I bought it). I can't wait to take it out of the system when the weather cools down!

>IMHO and experience, it makes a rather large change, even if tonally speaking its similar, you loose the liquidity that a tube amp can bring to the system<

i'm sure you're right. i would think that some of that liquidity in my system is replaced by using the foreplay pre. but the point you make is a good one and is why im wrestling with this question.

thanks.

I went to tubes from a Simaudio power amp (the W-4070SE, rather less good-sounding than the amp in your integrated but still great at the price). My value-for-money choice was the Shanling SP-80 monobloc pair. These gorgeous amps get 50 watts from a pair of EL34s in push-pull.

SP-80 pics

It was a whole new world, musically. And then I tried changing the driver tubes for NOS...

Downside of these amps for you is that bias is not easily set by the user.

Totem will tell you what tube amps they like with the Model 1 Sig if you ask them.

Sberger
Bad tubes-Crappy !Good tubes-Heaven ! Perhaps as simple as that.
People in the know seem to like the OTL amps(like Spencer who responded above).Speaker matching critical with tubes.
I like the Hybrid amps.Perhaps the best of both world's ?
Currently use the Pathos Logos-nice amp !Also Pathos Classic One excellent.See their reviews.
Must have a Tube somewhere in the signal path.A sense of spaciousness that is special.
You are thinking in the right direction.
Dr Chris van Niekerk
Sasolburg ,South Africa

If you can, you may want to consider expanding the budget a bit in the interests of buying something with real build quality (for example, the Antique Sounds Labs stuff is not known to be particularly reliable).

The VAC Renaissance 30/30 Mk.III can now be had for +/- $2,500 used. It has first-class power supplies and output transformers, and is thus much more powerful than its 32 watt/channel rating would suggest (it is, incidentally, a push/pull, not single-ended, amp). It has automatic tube biasing, which takes all the hassle out of owning a tube amp, and long-life 300B output tubes. As for build quality, the VAC Renaissance amps are hard to beat. A 30/30 can be had used for a fraction of its retail price because people look at "32 watts/channel" and dismiss it -- they don't know what this amp can do (like drive a 2 Ohm load).

There are some pretty fine used preamps available for $600-$700 (ARC LS-3, Audible Illusions L-1), and you are about there.

I think this combo would be pretty hard to beat.

Good luck.