Sweet sounding SE tube amps under $3K USED

If one wants a sweeter sound than Jota, try finding a second-hand Diavolo.
Its 13 watts gives wider choices of speakers than most SET amps.
A PX25 is pretty nice, but I found speaker choice too limiting (unless driving easy-to-drive stand mounts dynamic speakers, single-driver or horn types ) to realise its potential. ( for me anyways )

You can have a factory install an XLR input option but it's not necessary unless you run long ICs.

The Dodd amps are just fine up to about 95-96 db, they were even fairly quite, on my Cornwalls. They are fabulous for the 2500 price point. They will BLOW away your BAT amps, with better bass/mids/treble, as long as you tune them properly with the proper tubes. My new custom horns sre 101 db, and they are too noisy for these, as are the Moscode. I own both these, and many more. Good luck in your search. My feeling is, yu better have a small room, or like low level listening if you gonna go with 15 watts.....remember, yu need power reserve.

the BAT VK-60 meets all those criteria and can be had for about $2k used (sometimes less). Single-ended bridge topology

-Ed

I will second or thrid the Art Audio Diavolo. Love mine and Joe is wonderful to work with; even if you buy used.

Cheers
Vernon

711smilin
Thanks much. i appreciate the experience (s).

When you say "up to about 95-96db", you mean speaker eff, right?

"My feeling is, yu better have a small room, or like low level listening if you gonna go with 15 watts.....remember, yu need power reserve."

Hmmm. I have to admit low power, which to me is under 20 wpc, does give me pause. the biggest mistake I think I've yet made is not testing the boundaries with low or mid (30-100wpc), power amps enough to determine how much is enough.

My limited testing of what's on hand and in my room, shows me I listen usually at less than 88db or so. At an avg. of 92-94db, or so, I'm not hanging out there very long. A cut or two perhaps.

I got those above numbers from the vk60 driving some 84-85db mid to large, stand mounted two ways. The 'attack' I would preffer wasn't there however, and I'll attribute that to the speakers low sensitivity, cone design & construction.

I'm not attempting a limbo act here. I've simply felt that in my limited experience (s) in tube amps, that now I can finally try some I've previously discounted entirely out of sheer ignorance, or the then speaker's needs.

I've nothing against Dodd or any other makers amps for that matter. I simply need be cautious and prudent. Primarily, I do not want to wind up with a tube amp that sounds like a solid state amp.

Likely there are any number that will fit the bill I ask for... though I am relegated to conjecture, postulating, and the resultant confusion which stems from it.

whatever the choice, I feel it's gotta be a pretty safe one so if not right (enough), I'll not lose when it's put back into the market. that is about the only thing I do know for sure... well, and it needs be SE and under $3K.

Ed_sawyer
Thanks. Got one already. Just Trying to improve upon it.