List Of Small Company Tube Amps


I just love tube amps and I’m always wondering what small guy out there is making stellar amps under the radar.  I’m only talking somewhat affordable gear, definitely under 10k new. More like 2-5k is what I’m thinking. I’ll start the list but I’m sure there are a ton that I’ll miss.  Obviously feel free to express your preferences. Some of these might have international distribution but I feel they have a small enough presence in the US that they kind of count. 

Decware, may not count any longer but one of the originals

Aric Audio

La Dolce Audio

Tomcat Audio

Lab 12

Octave 

Audio Hungary 

Space-tech Labs 

Musical Paradise 

Triode Labs

Fezz

Synthesis

Analog Ethos

Brunoco Audio

Audio Mirror, getting pricey though. 
 

 

 

 

 

brylandgoodman

+2 for Dennis Had’s Inspire amps.  He designs and hand builds KT-88’s, 300b with WE tubes, and more recently 2A3’s.  $2k-$5k.  Goes by radioman731 on ebay.  If you can pick up locally in Cary, NC, he’ll buy you lunch, introduce you to a couple of his audio tubehead buddies and give you a tour of his workshop, The Toy Factory. Where I first saw a pair of open baffle speakers he built for his studio, they’re all the rage now. Superb low watt SE amps . Have one of his KT-88 Firebottle’s. He put a volume pot on it for me, so nothing between digital source signal and high efficiency speakers, very clean, super low noise floor, and layered soundstage. 
 

Also his former firm he founded, Cary Audio, most under $10k.  Have one of their 1990’s 300b LX-20 I picked up used for $3k. Sent it to Cary for a shake down, replaced one burned up resistor. Great service, very quick and reasonably priced.  The LX-20 is a SET that runs KR 300B XLS tubes to 20wpc, pretty amazing. Designed by Dennis. I’m obviously a fan of his work. 

 

many + for Decware - yes, the waiting list is WAY long post-covid. I got an amp pre-covid and it was about 6 weeks from order to ship. I have been a customer for about 20 years. Can't say enough good things about Steve and his company.

This list is a very worthwhile endeavor. Here are two I'll add:

 

Supratek (Mick Maloney from Australia. See the "Preamp Deal of the Century" thread in "most popular of all time" tab on this forum)

Alan Eaton

Also, if it hasn't already been mentioned, the website "glowinthedarkaudio" has wonderful photos and descriptions of many of the boutique builders amplifiers.