Entry Level Tube Integrated


Today I had the idea of getting an entry level tube integrated amplifier to have some fun on the other side. The Jolita FX 10 Integrated Amplifier specifically peaked my interest. My wife is pretty much on board with this unit, but are there other small amps that look great that I should consider?

My primary system is an Integra 50.1 with Focal 836v speakers. The plan for the tube amp would be occasionally hooking it up to my cd player and the speakers. Will the sound be good enough to make it worth the time?
mceljo
I highly recommend a Cayin TA-30 integrated. All the better if you get it with the Bizzy Bee mods - about $600 used with mods I believe. You can't beat it for twice the price!
I use it in my bedroom system with a pair of Revel M20's and they can drive them well to all but concert levels. The only caveat is that it has no remote.
Very tube-like (midrange to die for) sound without being overly tubey. I'm a bit of a headbanger so being too tubey would not satisfy me but this unit does as long as I don't drive it too loud. It can use anything from EL34's to KT88's so roll your pleasure!
One more thing. While the Focals are pretty efficient (92db from the spec sheet) asking the Jolida FX10 - 12 watt amp - to drive them will be a tall order for anything remotely loud.
fyi, the Cayin TA30 is 30w with EL34's.
In addition to the Cayin, I'd suggest auditioning the PrimaLuna integrated amps. I heard one a few weeks ago in a dealer's showroom and was very impressed.
I've been very happy with the Jolida FX-10, It's been completely reliable, the auto-bias function makes swapping tubes easy and it sounds very good, whether in my office system with JohnBlue JB3 single speakers or in my main system with DeVore speakers.

I'm sure there are excellent alternatives but my experience with the FX-10 over a couple of years of use has been very good.