Hi all, I had Solid state all my life until I bought a used integrated tubes amp Cayin a88-T for $1,000 and love it to death, but after few years, now what? I’m Thinking of movng up the chain but not sure where to go. Most of my speakers are bookshelf and small floorstandings. Thanks
sounds like my experience around 20 years ago. I stumbled onto a single-ended pentode, dual monoblock stereo amp, fixed it, and was blown away- after having listened to solid state for 25 years. the difference in coloration and depth with single ended tube stereo is magical, compared to solid state. but watch and see....wait another 20 years, and you'll be happy just plugging into an old Rotel solid state receiver with headphones, and it will sound just fine. it sort of goes full circle as you get older. I bought many fine pieces of vintage stereo components, from older retired guys that switched to Wave radios....they just want to downsize and simplify eventually.
having said that, get yourself a pair of nice big floor standing speakers, 3-way with bass reflex port, and nothing less than 15" woofers. 97 efficiency rated or better, and you'll be good to go.
