Inexpensive tube amp

Thank you for all the suggestions. I'm looking into all of them.

zd542- I'm not sure what you mean by "gain" issues.

Both amps work. However the CJ sounds better to my ears if only a little darker.

I've decided to try the Music Paradise MP-301 MK3. Seems like a safe bet for my first venture into tubes. I'll keep this thread posted.

"zd542- I'm not sure what you mean by "gain" issues. "

Gain related noise. When you have very efficient speakers, like the ones you have, its very easy to get some noise coming from your speakers. It's kind of like a hissing sound.

As an example, I have a pair of Wilson Cubs in one of my systems. Source is a Wadia CD player going directly into a VAC 30/30. The Wadia has a volume control, but it also has dip switches internally that you can use to change the global volume. So if I have the overall gain on my Wadia too high, I get noise. When I lower the overall gain, the noise goes away. What this means for you is that you really need to try components in your system before you commit to a purchase.

It's a real shame and kind of sad that Jim Nichols can no longer be used as a reference, as he built some of the best tube amps around for the money