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Best Tube Amp for B&W Bookshelf

I own a pair of CDM1’s. A few years ago I heard a tube amp at a trade show. I think it was a Manley Stingray. It sounded amazing. Would this be a good choice for my B&W’s?

Or or does anyone have a better choice? My budget is about $3500.

I listen to mostly female vocal singer-songwriter folk/pop, jazz and classical. Clean warm vocals and sweet acoustic guitars that sparkle are what I liked about the tubes I heard at the trade show.

The souce was SACD. I think it was Alison Krauss Patricia Barber or Holy Cole. On another SACD I think I also heard an acoustic finger plucked piece by Lindsay Buckingham/Fleetwood Mac ’ Never Going Back Again".

Both cuts were truly memorable and made an impression as to the beauty of tubes. I have Crown Reference II solid state amps currently in my system.

This will be my first tube amp. My head end is Emm Labs -- DAC, transport, and pre. Please can you give me advice for integratedes and/or mono blocks in the $3500 range? I realize this is not much of a budget for quality tube amps ... I just need some pointing in the right direction based on experience and with possibly the same musical tastes. Thank you.
128x128rocketroom
rocketroom's avatar
rocketroom OP
36 posts
 
Hi! It’s been a while since I’ve been on AudioGon forums. For any and all of you that responded I want to THANK YOU! 

I did some research and made some phone calls... And the winner is... PrimaLuna Dialog Premium Integrated. Bought one from the factory dealer here on the west coast. Had it for about a year now. Sounds amazing! The build quality is impeccable. I HIGHLY recommend this unit! 
mzkmxcv
777 posts
 
You want to spend >$3000 on a tube amp when your speakers were only $1100?
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,958 posts
 
Sometimes you can find an older set of Atma-Sphere M-60s in that price range. They work quite well with that speaker. Likely the most transparent amps mentioned so far but you will need a preamp.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
3k amp with 1k speaker is better than vice-versa .
mzkmxcv
777 posts
 
@schubert

Not even remotely true. A $3000 vs $1000 speaker is much more of a difference than a $3000 vs $1000 amp. 
 
Find a single reputable person who advocates spending more on an amp vs speakers. Rule of thumb is at least 50% of your total system cost should go to the speakers.
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