Inexpensive Tube Amps

@pawlowski6132
Yeah, audiophilia is a word. But it's not as creepy as the title of that briefly-lived magazine marketed towards cyclists, Pedalphilia.

Anyhow, I see your point, though I don't completely agree with it. I just hate seeing someone relatively new to the hobby made to feel lacking.

I read all the posts . And i thought these folks were trying to give their best advice that they could give on your question .I do not think they were rude trying to be rude.I think you really had your mind made up from the very beginning and were hoping to hear more positive replies. Good luck  

I was quite clear about what I wanted.  Why people are pushing me off in another direction is a problem.  Yes, a problem especially if they are trying to get me to spend money I don't have to spend right now.  If I wanted to get opinions about other amps I would have asked.  

I'm a fiscal Conservative and don't go spending money on anything without first doing research.  Precisely why I ended up with the TubeCube7 for now.  Good amp, very reasonable price and it has a warranty.  I don't have the time, money or inclination to buy used and then have to find someone to do repairs.   While it is usually true that you get what you pay for, there are instances such as in this case, where you don't have to spend a lot to get something good.  Stereophile gave it a very good review and in fact virtually every review of this amp has been positive.  Not a piece of junk.

Bottom line is that I am very happy with this amp.  It sounds better than any SS amp I've owned.

I had never heard of the TubeCube7 although I've bought tubes from "the depot" from time to time...interesting. Note that my World Class "El Fabuloso" Dennis Had Firebottle SEP HO (It's a HO...says so right on the front panel) cost only 1100 bucks used. His new stuff is around 1500. Cheap but amazing, a good fit for any fiscal conservative. "Get what you pay for" absolutely does not apply when poking about in the morass of audio gear, but audiophile research does.

Audiophilia does sound creepy, but it's supposed to; it's a disease.