Impressions: $1k-$2k integrated amps

In the up to $2000.00 range,tube amps from Cayin,Yaqin or Jolida will outperform ANYTHING suggested in a Solid State amp!

@helomech can you compare your impressions of those 2 amps, their phono stages and their overall pros and cons?

Didn’t experience them in the same system which makes it difficult to say. I’d wager the Elex has the better PRaT and the Yamaha has better bass extension (I surmise based on the fact I’ve only experienced one other amp that rivals the Yamaha in bass extension, regardless of price). As for value, the Elex is certainly the better proposition at their retail prices. Though you can now find closeout A-S1100s for prices very near that of the Elex-R.

With the exception of its excellent bass extension, the Yamaha sounds more similar to a modern tube amp than it does a typical solid-state design. The vocals are a bit recessed in the mix, however -- think 6th row presentation as opposed to the 2nd-row presentation of most SS amps. The Elex-R probably has the flatter bandwidth and superior midbass dynamics, but hard to say for certain.
Can’t speak for the Rega’s phono stage but the Yamaha’s is comparable with $500 - $700 stand-alone units, the MM stage being more impressive than its MC stage.

I happen to own the 1100 and it has been very reliable for over 2 years now. It holds its own against the $6K combinations of separates I’ve compiled recently.

In the up to $2000.00 range,tube amps from Cayin,Yaqin or Jolida will outperform ANYTHING suggested in a Solid State amp!

I own one of the $3.5K retail Cayins. With the exception of the Yamahas I'd mostly agree with this assertion, though none of these tube amps will be quite as capable in bass extension.

helomech:Ohhh I would have to disagree.There is a dealer on that free site selling the 52 lb.,hand built in Italy including IN HOUSE built transformers,EL34(x 6 tubes) Parallel Single Ended,auto biasing "Box" for a cool $2000.00($3500.00 rtl)..Probably the deal of the decade & I’m betting the bass from that monster will rock my entire apt.bldg...Look at the BIG guns from Ayon & such,they weigh 20-30 lbs more than the most expensive ML or Mac...Haven’t heard one yet but I can’t imagine the bass being anything other than amazing & rivaling most SS amps save for Hegel & similar HIGH damping amps..

helomech:Ohhh I would have to disagree.There is a dealer on that free site selling the 52 lb.,hand built in Italy including IN HOUSE built transformers,EL34(x 6 tubes) Parallel Single Ended,auto biasing "Box" for a cool $2000.00($3500.00 rtl)..Probably the deal of the decade & I’m betting the bass from that monster will rock my entire apt.bldg...Look at the BIG guns from Ayon & such,they weigh 20-30 lbs more than the most expensive ML or Mac...Haven’t heard one yet but I can’t imagine the bass being anything other than amazing & rivaling most SS amps save for Hegel & similar HIGH damping amps..

Well, it seems you're making a supposition based on product mass. My assertion was based on real experience and ownership with such amps. The only tube amp I've heard that comes remotely close in bass extension (not output) to the MOSFET Yamahas is the Rogue Stereo 100. Unfortunately, it lacks the lush midrange of the Yamahas and most tube integrateds. As with most things in this hobby, there is always a trade-off, sometimes you don't realize a weakness exists until you've heard something better.