2. amps-preamps
  3. 189246-2944

Looking for... Integrated tube amp with phono

Looking for an integrated tube amp (or hybrid) in the $4-7k range. Preferably used. (Actually, there’s almost no way I’d get what I wanted new.)

Must haves:

            -PHONO built in (yes, I know I can do “better” with separates, but that’s not what I want this time).

            -At least 70WPC (my speakers are not too efficient at 88db).

            -REMOTE… doesn’t need to have 50 functions, but needs to control volume.

            -Tape Monitor or some way to connect an EQ (not needed if it has tone controls)

 

Nice to have:

            -Headphone jack. (I have no headphone amp atm.)

            -DAC (I have a Bluesound Node 2i; I never use it, but never I might.)

            -Tone Controls (I’m no purist, and at low listening levels I need to increase the bass)

            -MC cartridge capability

 

Current list:

            -Mcintiosh MA352 – tons of power (for future speakers?), but no MC option and the phono stage is transistor. Tone controls! Easy to re-sell.

            -VAC Sigma 170i – seems like a decent option and has a tube phono section.

            -Octave V80 – harder to find, and probably really tough to sell when I get tired of it. Phono is MM OR MC, not both.

            -Audio Research GSi75 – also hard to find, but this seems to have everything in one box.

            -Am I missing anything?

 

Backstory… I’m a mid-fi guy. I live in NYC (currently have neighbors below me and next to me) and will never have the luxury (or the money) to have a dedicated listening room. That means, no wall treatments, bass traps, or even a dedicated stereo rack. I rarely crank my stereo (although, I want to be able to since my main thing in life is seeing live bands… it’s pretty much the only thing I really enjoy, so I like loud music). My speakers are Ohm Walsh 3 (slightly modified) and I’ve had them much longer than anything else (10 years and 4 apartments). They aren’t perfect, but I like them (although they are a bit small for my current house). I haven’t been using my stereo much since we moved to this place but my wife has been listening to vinyl. She had a difficult time with my old TT (Music Hall MMF-7.1 with a Goldring 2400) and when the cantilever broke, I decided to get a TT that she would have an easier time with- a Denon DP-47F (from Japan). The cartridge is pretty cheap, and before I replace it, I may want to try an MC cart (probably Denon DL-301), otherwise, I’ll get a DL-110, knowing that it’s well beneath the Goldring I had.

My current amps are Conrad Johnson Classic 60SE  and PV10B (I’m using the onboard phono). I’ve had it a few years and like the sound, although I need to cheat with a Schiit Loki. I grew up with the bass and treble maxed out (‘70s and ‘80s), and I guess that’s how I like music to sound.

I’ve owned a hybrid, various tube amps, SS (Denon PMA-2500ne that I didn’t like at all) and have no issue with integrated amps. I’m also looking for convenience and simplicity.  

ron325
ron325 OP
58 posts
 

I forgot to follow up on this... so, I asked for some very specific recommendations and then I went with something completely different.🙄

I was very close to buying the VAC Sigma 170i on eBay (it’s local to me, and surprisingly still for sale), but I couldn’t get motivated to pull the trigger. I decided to try a SS integrated amp. I know I didn’t like the last one I had (Denon PMA-2500ne), but this one is a bit higher on the food chain. I bought a Luxman L-509z (100v, from Japan).

What I like... MC onboard phono stage (no real adjustments to the MC settings, but it sounds decent), tone controls (!), loudness button (although I rarely use it), remote control (haven’t had one in years), and a decent headphone amp (I tried it and it sounds good enough for me, even if I never use it), and the build quality is top-notch. It sounds... pretty good. In retrospect, had I known what it sounded like, I’m not sure I would’ve bought it. Why? Because my old Conrad Johnson separates sounded "better". But, I definitely like all the features in one box and it’s really simple for my wife to use (this is a bigger factor than I’m letting on). I guess the only thing missing that the CJ had was that 3-dimensional "holographic" sound (I realize some of you are rolling your eyes right now😁). It’s just that one little thing, but I definitely notice every time I listen.

So, this thing probably won’t be an endgame piece for me, unfortunately. I don’t fully regret buying it (I still have my CJ separates, so I could sell this and move on, but I don’t know what I want exists in my price range). Maybe a Mcintosh MA12000, but that’s beyond my budget (and I have no need for that much power, either).

kennyc
1,472 posts
 

Seems your sonic preference leans towards tubes.

ron325 OP
58 posts
 

Seems your sonic preference leans towards tubes.

 

Definintely. The Luxman is, by far, the best transistor amp I've ever owned... I was curious to see/hear what a "decent" SS would be like.

inna
7,296 posts
 

Accuphase Class A perhaps. No, you won't find substitute for tubes in it either, but this is higher level than Luxman and I think with optional phono stage and DAC it's got all the features that you would like to have.

I myself certainly would get Accuphase if for some reasons I would have to abandon tubes.

I don't think Boulder integrated has what you need.

D'Agostino Momentum is great but the cost is ridiculous even used.

ron325 OP
58 posts
 

I looked at Accuphase (not class A- too expensive, not enough power) and the used ones I saw seemed pretty similar to Luxmans, but they cost more and often didn't have the phono adapter, which are very expensive to add).

Seems like a sideways move.

Also, my priority for having a DAC is much lower than in my OP. I haven't even connected my Bluesound because I need longer interconnects and haven't bothered shopping for any.

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