2. amps-preamps
  3. 170280-10297

Can someone suggest a lush tube integrated under $3000 used

My main system it’s solid state preamp and amp. I’ll through in a tube preamp on occasions. Somedays I just miss the lush involving syrupy tube sound with small jazz and blues recordings. I know highs may be rolled off,  not a lot of slam but can be so involving you lose track of time. This amp will be matched with some Joseph Audio first gen Pulsar, LSA 2 statement tower with ribbon tweeter and some Tiny Dancers. 

I’ve heard good things of the Cary, Ayon, maybe an old Conrad Johnson cav 50, I just don’t have much experience with integrated amps. My speakers aren’t the most efficient. 


paulcreed
shkong78's avatar
shkong78
1,485 posts
 
https://youtu.be/eyTSyclr-GQ

Used Rogue Cronus Magnum II can be had around 18k$.

Altec A7 was drivne by  Rogue Cronus Magnum II fitted with Telefuken 12ax7 and Amperex 12Au7 which will cost 400-500 more for Nos tubes.

You judge the sound yourself.
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
A lot of the Carys you can swap the valves. 6V6, 6L6, KT66, 77, 88, 90, EL34, 6550. Just re bias and away you go. EL34 isn't the best valve for bass, sure great for everything else, thought..

Regards
knotscott's avatar
knotscott
986 posts
 
If you already have a tube preamp, why not go for a straight amp vs integrated? There's a whole new world of options behind that door. I was specifically thinking of the VTA amps from Tubes4Hifi.com. They offer excellent circuits and build quality for the price, and you can roll tubes to suit your tastes...the tube rolling, can of course be done with an integrated amp too.
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,211 posts
 
If lush is what you want, then the Cary SLI-80 (non F1 version) is the one you want. To my ears it was TOO lush, sort of uninvolving. And that was with horn speakers. But it will certainly never offend.

Oz


charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
@paulcreed, 
A well designed and implemented tube amplifier can offer beautiful and realistic full bodied tonality,  timbre and harmonic overtones. In my opinion these are very desirable and coveted sonic characteristics.  You can have all of this without "syrupy" signature.

I could be misunderstanding your use of that term. Syrupy has a negative connotation to my interpretation. Tubes can provide the positive qualities I mentioned without sacrificing resolution, inner detail and nuance. 
Charles 
More to discover