2. amps-preamps
  3. 151235-113766

Integrated tube amp under $1000 / $2000

Recently a friend asked me which tube amp he could get used for $1000, I replied that maybe for $2000 he could get something decent but honestly I have no idea what to answer. As a matter of fact I told him for a 1000 he might better get SS than tubes. I have Atmasphere MA-1s myself. 
Can anyone provide some constructive advice of decent tube amps with acceptable quality for $1k (or up to $2k) to drive Klipsch speakers, trying to find out the exact model, I think he has Cornwalls.
Thank you in advance. 

Luis 
luisma31
decooney
1,909 posts
 
+3 on Quicksilver with Cornwalls.  

A member on the Klipsch forum noted Mike Sanders of QS personally owns and uses Cornwalls with his Quicksilver amps.   Some good 2nd hand deals come up on QS monos, but the sweet EL84 20W Integrated is the real bargain if you don't already own a good tube preamp.  

Klipsch Forum Post:  https://community.klipsch.com/index.php?/topic/185957-preamp-recommendations-for-my-quicksilver-corn...

luisma31 OP
516 posts
 
I owned a Cayin A-50T for awhile and was very impressed with the build quality and sonics, this after owning tube amps from Dynaco, Rogue, AES and Cary. The updated model, the Mark II, adds a remote and the ability to use KT88 tubes in addition to the EL-34s used in the original. I bought mine with the stock tubes but re-tubed it with Gold Lion reissue KT77s and signal tubes which improved the already excellent sound. The original model like mine goes for around $800 used and the Mark II sells for $1,600 new.

@sfar 
Thank you this is interesting, yours and others recommendations seems to point the Cayin as a good candidate. 
luisma31 OP
516 posts
 
Used Decware mini torii
@grinnell 

How's tube life on this amp? Do you have to replace tubes often? 

luisma31 OP
516 posts
 
Some good 2nd hand deals come up on QS monos, but the sweet EL84 20W Integrated is the real bargain if you don't already own a good tube preamp.  
@decooney 
This looks interesting as well, QS could be another option, thank you 




humanhands
1 posts
 
I would like to second sfar on the Cayin A-50T. It really is a stunning amp for the money. I bought mine new and while the stock tubes were decent, I re-tubed it with inexpensive Tung-Sol EL34s. This amp sounds big but sweet and refined with great imaging. Harry Weisfeld of VPI once said about this amp: "The Cayin A-50T is the best low-price amp I have ever heard, and it rivals some of the best amps in any price range." I would tend to agree.
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