Conrad Johnson or PrimaLuna

cj cav getting kinda old, make sure it is in good shape... might need a recap

primaluna is very good, there are other even lower price china made options like line magnetic or cayin, also very nice - stay with the better established brands with good track records, you will be just fine

don’t mind miller carbon and his derogatory china comment... his i-phone is made in china, he just doesn’t know it LOLOLOL

His Melody amp is made in China! What’s up with that????

CAV 45 is a great sounding amp

donvito, that Melody amp was purchased 12 years ago. Back when we all thought China would join the free world, long before we knew about the official CCP policy of unrestricted warfare. Long before we had seen it in action. So things change, and when they do I change my mind to reflect the new reality. Now its top of my list to be replaced, and by a Raven. Now I would not even consider anything made in China, especially not when there's so much better stuff made right here in the USA.  

I put a lot of time and energy into researching my gear. Months, to sometimes a year or more. This time with Raven, been looking into a better integrated for well over a year now. Its not for everyone but its the way I do it, and its been a dozen years at least since I've bought a dog. Which interestingly enough that dog was made in China.  

Now my next amp will be a Raven. Osprey or Reflection? We will see. But one or the other. There simply is nothing else even close, certainly not within reach of my budget. I am a serious value buyer and long term holder. This may well be my last amp. It will be a Raven. It is in my view not even close. 

So that's what's up with that.

Line Magnetic has both lower priced as well as comparably priced to PL  integrated amps. I have the 518IA which is the comparable price arena, very well made, reliable, quiet and nice sounding .