Lush and Romantic Tube Amps

Are you still around bluethinker?  In one of my previous comments above i mentioned lusting after your speakers.  Well as the old saying goes ask and you shall receive. Last night I was able to find a brand new in the box pair of QLN Prestige One at a very attractive price here on A'gon.  They're for a 2nd system small listening room so monitors will work perfectly.  Now I too will be hunting for a new amp :-).  I have an Atma-Sphere S30 that I may use to start which should power them fine in my small room.  They presently power another pair of monitors that are rated almost identical to the QLN's.  Ultimately I do want a new amp, which I also want to be solid state because I leave this system turned on 24/7.  Not looking for "warm and fuzzy " though.  So I guess we're both on the same but opposite hunt.  You want something with tubes that's lush and warm for a large room and I'm looking for something less powerful and more transparent in solid state for a small room.  Although the Absolare mentioned above looks to be very interesting.  Much too heavy though.  If anyone has suggestions please let me know.  Budget $5k - $10k, new or used.  Good luck on your hunt and apologies for hijacking your thread. 

Hi Everyone - 

I really appreciate all the valuable feedback. Lots of food for thought. Would respond as replies come in, but during the week I'm preoccupied with my work duties. 

As I've followed the thread, it has actually dawned on me that what I might actually be looking for isn't necessarily "warmth" but air, bloom, and decay. The combination of my current 100 watt tube power amp (Qualiton) and the LTA delivers an almost supernatural sense of ethereal magic. My wife, who generally tells me to turn music down, enjoys listening to this combo due to it's lack of stridency. There are tons of details, but zero harshness. There is a softness that make it easy to listen to music for hours on end. I'm eager to replicate that magic, but ideally with an American-based tube amp where care and maintenance is a little easier. I am realizing, however, the wonderful qualities of the Audio Hungary power amp. It truly  delivers on the qualities associated with a high quality tube amp.

@marco1 - Congrats on the QLN speakers! In my main room, I couldn't be happier with the QLN prestige 3 speakers. They are incredibly balanced and just fill a room with music. I prefer them to the initial pair I purchased (Dynaudio Heritage Speakers which I'll be looking to sell shortly). 

@vgmbpty - I'm not familiar with the brand. Please share more details on the sound you achieve with the integrated. I'm sure many on this thread would be curiuos. 

@jimmyblues1959 - I've been intrigued with the Jadis amps. Have you heard them? How would you describe them from first hand listening? Also, do you have a asense on how hard or easy it is to get them serviced? Are there a lot of tube amp repair guys in the USA? Or do they have repair center in the USA to your knowledge? 

I'll try to respond to all other postings over the next few days! I have read them all and appreciate all the insights. I really enjoy this board for the education from folks who know way more than me and can help guide my decision-making. 

@Bluethinker: I’ve never heard a piece of Jadis gear. Read many a review on the company over the years though and each characterized the sound of Jadis components as being very warm and lush sounding.

Jadis equipment is quite expensive new, and even used has a high resale value.

This also means that over the time that you own the gear it should maintain its value better than that of many other audio companies.

For the money I am still sold on Quicksilver Audio. Their components are reasonably priced and IMO great sounding and very reliable.

Your post regarding your gear sounds so positive that you may have already gotten as close to the Holy Grail of audio as anyone can get. Beats going down that rabbit hole any further. lol

Best of luck!

@marco1 Two recent SS amps that I really like at your price range are Perreaux 300ix and HifiRose RA180. IMO the only SS amp I consider to be better than the 300ix is Aavik I-280.

Soulnote A2, Luxman L-509x, Hegel H390, Accuphase E380 are other popular recommendations at this price point. I've heard the Soulnote paired with Vivid speakers but they sounded rather fuzzy, but could be just the speakers. Karl Fink loves it to death though and demoed his new Epos speaker almost exclusively.