Valve/Tube Newbie

Can't expose tubes with a solid state amp !

Why is that?

What solid state amp has tubes to expose ? The OP wants a tube amp with exposed/visible tubes. If I'm missing something please let me know !

I would suggest the VAC160i or VAC160iSE - both are integrateds from VAC putting out 85 wpc. A very high quality MC phono stage is available on the 160iSE version as an extra, but there is also one on the 160i which is likely very good. VAC is one of the great tube brands. You might check their web-site to see what they do. The 160i can probably be found on Audiogon from time to time inside your budget. I did see one of the SE version sell very recently here for just about within your budget but that may have been a fire-sale. MSRPs for both are probably above your budget. Anyway while both are great, the latter is really superb. I actually own the 160iSE myself. For what it is worth, there is a thread on this here on Audiogon that I started just over a year ago. Not sure whether VAC will do a 220 conversion for you on a US version, you would have to check. Nor do I know what UK prices are.

Yogiboy , yes I am fully aware that a solid state AMP doesn't have tubes. I suggested that he consider pairing a tube pre with a solid state amp given the "lower" sensitivity of the Spendors. The solid state would provide more power. Read before being condescending