2. amps-preamps
  3. 164529-131822

Tube amplifier upgrade suggestions welcome.

I currently have a Musical Fidelity m2si and some Tekton Lore speakers and would like to buy a power amplifier to upgrade my system.  I'd like to keep the m2si in the system as a preamp.  I'd like more clarity, bass, and dynamics in my setup.  I have up to $2K to spend and thought I'd try out a tube amp since my speakers are supposed to be very tube-friendly.

I have considered something like a Parasound A23+ or Rotel 1582 amplifier -- what are the equivalent tube amplifiers to these?  I'm in an 11' x 12' room with horrible acoustics but I've treated it with 8 GIK 244 bass traps and have added an SVS-SB1000 to fill in the low end which helped a ton.  How should I proceed from here?
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jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
@tomic601

why ? he knows one answer, at best.


aww you’re ruining the fun 🤭
shawn3997's avatar
shawn3997 OP
56 posts
 
Upon study, it seems I am looking for something like a First Watt amp but you don't see them for sale very often and not at my price level.  I had a Linn LK280 some years ago and that was a great amp but it ran so hot it burned the boards which is what keeps me from buying a used Klout. 

I think like 10 watts class A used or the like is what I want, used.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Would you consider a used Raven Nighthawk integrated to be a better move than buying, say, the Parasound A23+ new and using my m2si as a preamp?  
A tube integrated would be a better way to go than using the MF as a preamp.
Raven builds highly regarded components, you should check user reviews of that amp.
I second adding  Quicksilver and Decware to your list.



shawn3997's avatar
shawn3997 OP
56 posts
 
I'd love a Raven but that's out of my budget and I don't see any used models available, unfortunately.

You are saying I'd be better off buying a tube integrated than using my m2si as a preamp and buying a tube amplifier to add to it?  I was thinking at least that would get me into separates for later upgrading and I'd not have to count out the m2si entirely.


lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Would you consider a used Raven Nighthawk integrated to be a better move than buying, say, the Parasound A23+ new and using my m2si as a preamp? This is kind of where I'm at decision-wise.  
My answer to this question was to stay all tubes and not  buy a Parasound.

Separates is a great way to go.
Use the m2si and find a used tube power amp. Quicksilver comes up for sale pretty often.


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