When were the best tube amps made?


And what were they?

1980's Audio Research need not apply. 

erik_squires

When I was selling audio in the 70’s, I sold and delivered a new system to an elderly man.  He owned a Fisher tube integrated and a Fisher tube tuner and he gave it to me!  I had our service tech go through it ( it needed nothing) and used it for a few years.  I kept them around and used them on and off.  They had that really lush and addictive midrange.  I lent them to a friend who was between systems and he got divorced and his wife wouldn’t let him take the system, even though she knew I lent it to him.  Eventually, I got them back but I think she ran over them with her car because they were in totally damaged shape.  When I questioned her she said the moving guys dropped them out of her second floor window.  I knew she was lying.   I wish I had those 2 pieces today as I would have used it in my office with some very efficient speakers.   The tubes were EL34 I can’t remember what the rectifier tube was but I think there were something like 12 or 13 tubes in the integrated and a few in the tuner.  

How I used to lust for a pair of VT 150 SE’s when I was young. Never heard a pair, but they were all the talk in Stereophile and TAS in the early 90’s. I bet today with a LS5 they still sing. Remember around 1990 or so going to Audio Perfection and listening to a pair of Jadis with dedicated power supplies, four full size chassy’s on maybe Wilson WP 5’s and was floored. By far that was the first system I heard that had me chasing that sound to this day. My opinion, today tubes are a pain in the ass and I’m fine with my Pass. I also own a Cary tube amp that’s magical but right now she’s being difficult…

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Unobtanium like vintage Western Electric aside, there has never been a better time for tube amps  than NOW. !!!!     

There's a tube Renaissance and it's right now.   So many great independent builders and large mainstream companies offering more tube gear than ever .   

Probably from 1998 or so to present by Wavac. Not a good value, but taking things to the extreme, no one else has done or attempted to do what Wavac has been doing. 

@fsonicsmith Don’t mind fan boys/fan girls, but tell us a little of why you think they are exceptional, please!

P.S. - Are they still in business?  Their website hasn't been updated in years.