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Tube virgin looking for tube amp under $3k

I’ve never owned any tube amps or preamps and since I’ve got 95dB efficient speakers I thought why the heck not? And wow! What a rabbit hole I’ve gone down In the last week or so and my head is really spinning. For just about every amp or amp/preamp combo there’s someone who loves it and someone who says don’t bother. And then the more I dig, the more brands I find.

I’ve read about these products recently:

— Erhard Audio integrated amp 
—The various iterations of the ST-70 (Van Alstein, Bob Latino, Will Vincent, etc.)
—Music Reference RM10
—Cary (out of budget except used)
—Raven (at max budget for integrated)
—Dennis Had (hard to buy/find)
—Quicksilver Mid mono (need preamp)
—Decware (too long a wait for me at the moment but maybe one day)
—Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III (at max budget and do I really need 100WPC with my speakers in a small room?)

And probably a few others I’ve forgotten about already. 

I have to say that the Bob Latino ST-70 speaks to me for the price of entry (about $1400) and the fact that I could get away without a preamp and only use a passive input selector. That said, would an ST-70 be the best choice or only the cheapest? 

Any ideas for a tube newb who doesn’t have a stockpile of tubes to roll in and out of an amp?




larshepping
gdnrbob
4,460 posts
 
There is an Atmasphere S-30 for sale here. It seems to be fully decked out and seller is asking $4K. You might be able to get a few bucks off.
Though a bit more than your budget, I can only say it would be my first choice.
Bob
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,680 posts
 
What speakers are you using and what is the size of the listening room?

DeKay
larshepping OP
34 posts
 
Thanks for the suggestions so far. Is there more I can read about Raven somewhere?

I saw the Atmasphere in the classifieds. That’s $4k without tubes and it ships from Indonesia of all places.

DeKay: speakers are Omegas. Single driver. Room is modest: 10x15 with a 10 foot ceiling.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,777 posts
 
@ larshepping
Some of those other amps on your list besides the Quicksilver will need a preamp or a passive input selector. If 20 watts is enough power Quicksilver makes a nice integrated amp for 2 grand.
Integrated Amplifier – Quicksilver Audio
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
The problem with adding a budget like 3k AND wanting pre and amps, gonna get pretty tight pretty quick..For SUPER sound. 
VTL, Luxman, and Mcintosh. Mac, though.. you'll look long and hard to get happy with 3k in your pocket..

Gear like Ravin, Atmasphere, certain Carys,  mercy if you could spring for that.. you would be WAY ahead.. Your starting close to the top for quality.. 20 year gear...

 Bob Latino ST-70, Good gear, old gear.. you have to do a few things to stop them from going through valves..Not expensive, BUT there will be maintenance.. SQ? El34s, Where is the bass? I'm telling you.. 6L6 or KT88 valves.. unless your gonna go SS for the bass portion on your speakers.. Fruit for thought..

Regards
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