Retirement integrated amp for a “fiscal conservative”

@audphile1 Yeah, I could see that. If you recall about 6 months ago when I was searching for a warmer, thicker midrange sounding power cable and got the Audioquest Hurricane, as Squeeze/squeeze which is quite a bit cleaner and thinner sounding than Roon, combined with these RCA cleartops was a little thin and bright, even for me! As I love my details and transparency.

The gap has narrowed now between softwares, but Roon still is richer and thicker than squeeze/squeeze, so matched up with these thinner cleaner RCA’s I suppose that is why I don’t mind Roon 90% of the time of late.

Like I said I have yet to try another tube, heard good things about the Brimar’s and they are also on my list.

@ezstreams for sure along with the bass leaning and tightening which is what I focused on above, you may find the midrange/treble has leaned out too much as well- I suggest reading other threads for information and talking to Brent or Andy (I believe he only talks on Friday’s) for advice- I am a tube rolling rookie. But hey, you think power cables are a rabbit hole? Be careful with your tube appetite 

@ezstreams

You did read this, right? I see here in this you just have the 2 gain tubes, whereas my EVO400 has 4 gain tubes, so yes 2 is all you need. But I noticed this quote from there:

If you want to go to a "larger" tube like a 6550, KT88, or KT120 the result may be a little more "pop" to the music, and while the bass may appear to go a little deeper, it will not be as "round" as an EL34.

A little less round is what you are looking for, yes? It's also worth stating some of those bigger tubes can last 10,000 hours, reportedly. 

There are plenty of PrimaLuna threads here on Audiogon, but after searching and if you don’t specifically find what you are looking for perhaps start a new thread regarding your particular issue/desire?

Sorry to keep pummeling this thread, but just read this on Brent's website: Same amp!

"This is the original 1950s RCA black plate that will never be duplicated. This is probably the last time they will be offered at this price. Good supply now, but when they are gone..... Warm blackplate sound with a nice top end. MATCHED PAIRS ARE JUST $109.00. CLIENT COMMENTS: "Hi Brent, Wanted to give you an update. Tubes arrived just as you said they would. Thanks for being in the business you are in, and running it the way that you do. Changes in my PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP are not subtle. Tightened bass, liquid lush (but not syrupy) midrange! Increased height and depth to soundstage. But to me most importantly, the Beryllium tweeters on my beloved Usher BE-718 “Tiny Dancers” are now tamed! What was tizzzz is now sustained shimmer on cymbals. All this with only around 12 hours on the tubes. I suspect things will continue to change, and not for the worse. Thank you!! R.J." "

I'm expecting the delivery of my Atoll IN200 evo (said to be much better / closer to the IN300 sig sound that ABA loved in his review) with the DA100 card in it to help consolidate my system also (audio refinement / yba separates).  Fingers crossed that the new IN200 evo sound improvement is that significant and is enough with my 91db efficient ProAc Studio 148 speakers...

I may be late to this party, and my thought is not an integrated but...

You could get a benchmark LA4  Pre and Pass Labs XA 25 for less than $8,000.  The construction looks and feels bulletproof.

I have these driving my Rockport Atria IIs, sourcing from an Esoteric K-01xs.

You can probably find these available for home auditioning - also the reviews of these components are consistent and match my experience.  If you just want to LISTEN great, but there is nothing to tweak or play with or tubes to roll!

I bought SS components these a few years into my retirement - but then got the "fiddling" bug and built an SET kit and then designed and built a PP fully balanced 6SN7-300B amp.

The XA25 is often back in the system though!