Tube Integrated Amp Recommendation


I am looking for a tube integrated amp that has lots of tube flavor (can't find a better word).  I don't care for more modern tube amps that start to sound a lot like solid state.  I need at least 25 watts, and my budget is $4K.  Right now, I am thinking that Unison Research Triode 25 may be a good choice.  I know that some vintage amps may work well; however, I don't have the time right now to pursue any restoration or maintenance needed to make them sound their best and keep them reliable. Any suggestions you may have are very much appreciated.

gotog

Hard to go wrong with a good used Cary SLI 80 with the older tube rectifier section. Also take a look at Margules I240..

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650050931-line-magnetic-lm-126/

 

 

This is the style you are looking for that are based  on old western  electric  designs. Very old school  sounding amps.  In many ways I like my line magnetic  monoblocks  the very best. They were lots of money new but so were the canaries  I have as well as the levinson  monoblocks I have. In my opinion  these compete at the  very top. 

Consider the Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum iii Dark edition. Here's a June 2023 Absolute Sound review describing the musicality of the regular, non-Dark upgraded version:

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/rogue-audio-cronus-magnum-iii-integrated-amplifier/

I heard the Dark version at CAF 2023 powering a pair of Joseph Audio Pulsar 2 Graphene speakers and could have listened all day. 

https://2ndhandhifi.co.uk/product/melody-audio-pure-black-101-pre-amplifier-pm845-monoblock-amplifier-pair/

 

Okay not an integrated  but I have heard these monoblocks  they are wonderful  as well over your budget. But take a look at them as well. You need something  with our power requirements  not a European  requirement.