2. amps-preamps
  3. 134169-768

Getting into tubes

I'm thinking about getting my first tube integrated amp and been reading all I can about them. I've narrowed my list of manufacturers down to four: Raven Audio (Blackhawk/Osprey), Primaluna (Dialogue Premium), Ars Sonum Filarmonia and Decware (Zen Mystery Amp). All have their pros and cons. First, a bit about my system:

Merlin TSM Black Magic Edition
Sunfire True Sub Mk2 (and oldie but still runs well)
MSB Analog Dac 
Macbook Air streaming Tidal through Audirvana
Spectral SDR-3000SL running into the MSB

Room is small, about 10 X 11. I listen to jazz ( mostly trio's and female vocals) and some classic rock. 

My laundry list for what I'm looking for in a tube amp is as follows:

1. Obviously they have to sound great. From what I've been reading, seems like all these amps all sound fantastic to various individuals that have used them. 
2. Ease of use: self biasing tubes. Don't want the fuss of having to bias the tubes myself. I know that with the Decware ZMA, you have to bias yourself but it appears to be a simple process.
3. Overall build of the unit. Each of the manufacturers all look to have excellent build qualities. I've seen pictures of the insides of all units. Looks like the Primaluna is built like a beast on the inside. Also the ZMA is all point to point, no circuit boards of any type. That's a big plus.
4. Remote control: now this is a semi big one for me. I do a lot of late night listening and am constantly changing the volume. Raven Audio and Primaluna checks this box off but the Filharmonia and ZMA doesn't. However I have a DAC (MSB Analog) that has a volume control built in that I believe may work?
5. Subwoofer output. It would be nice to have a dedicated sub out for ease of connecting the sub. I know that there is the option to connect the sub through the speaker level inputs, but I have read its difficult to do that with the Filarmonia and ZMA if the spades are too thick. 
6. Reliability and after care service.

For those that have experience with any of these amps, any advice would be greatly appreciated! I've been going back and forth trying to decide. Thanks!
jzzmn88
lancelock's avatar
lancelock
1,104 posts
 
@jzzmn88 , the differences between the ZOTL40 and the UltraLinear besides a power difference is very small when I’ve compare them using my Janszen zA2.1 electrostats speakers. The ZOTL40 pairs extremely well with Stats but the synergy doesn’t show up with some other speakers I’ve tried strangely. The reason for a so so absolute sound review not too long ago.

The UltraLinear just kills it with every set of speakers I’ve tried so far. It’s the outright best 20 watts I’ve ever heard. The sound to me has the best elements of tubes and solid state.

Lance
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
The Atmas-phere is a great choice. Another integrated I recently heard with a pair of 12k monitors that made them sing was the new Quicksilver. 20 watts should work quite nicely with those speakers in that room of yours. Priced right at 1995.00. I really like this one, amazing value. Berning is another good choice but a bit more. I owned the VSM with a ZH-270 for many years. 
gpgr4blu
1,096 posts
 
I heard the Merlin VSMs at an audio show in NYC years ago with the Ars Sonum Filarmonia as per Jond above. The sound was superb. I spoke to Bobby Palkovich at the show who told me how the Ars was his personal favorite amp with his speakers. He liked the electronics so much that he was, to the best of my recollection, either looking into distribution for Ars Sonum or already distributing them himself. Bobby was a very good guy.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,124 posts
 
Are you referring to the S-30 amp? The only issue may be how much heat it produces. I see it draws 400 watts and assuming much of that gets disappated. My room is small and heats up quickly, plus I live in Southern California where it really doesn’t get that cold at night. Anyhow, would love to audition your amps sometime.
We really don't get complaints about heat with the S-30. The 400 watt figure is at full power.

Any of the tube amps mentioned here will be a challenge if heat is a concern. But if you vent the room near the ceiling, the room won't heat up.
jzzmn88 OP
58 posts
 
I emailed Mark from Linear Tube Audio and asked about the possibility of pairing the Merlins with the ZOTL40 and this is what he had to say:

"I only know one guy with Merlins, David Berning. He has his own custom sub.The ZOTL40 drives them nicely. I am using one ZOTL40 at home driving my 86db maggies in my 35 foot bedroom. Typical listening is 11-1 o'clock and very loud is 3 o'clock.I am also using it with a MZ2 of course. You do get more gain with a preamp."

Good to know that David Berning himself uses Merlins for his designs!
More to discover