solid state integrateds that will hold their value

Melbguy1-

are you using a Vitus cd player w/ your Vitus integrated?
It appears to be a sweet combo! Happy Listening.

Thanks Jafant. I'll drop you a hint by saying "not yet" ;) But agreed, it is a great combo, especially with Magico. I remember hearing the Q1's with a Vitus SIA-025, SCD-010 cdp & Siltech Royal Sig series cables. The sound was amazingly pure, tube-like (liquid) and analogue sounding. I was shocked to be honest & never forgot that.

If you look at the history of integrated amplifiers it will be obvious that tube integrated amplifiers tend to hold their value better than solid state.

Take a look at ebay- put in the brand of amplifier, and the words 'integrated amplifier' and look at the prices- its pretty obvious.

Atmasphere, unless you're talking about niche brands like Audio Note and
Kondo, I can't agree with your statement. For a range of reasons SS
integrated amps are deemed more reliable, and therefore a lower risk
proposition. The majority of loudspeakers are not high efficiency speakers,
therefore most punters want an integrated amp capable of delivering high
current (stability) and authority when presented with a moderate to difficult
load. Then there is the attraction of low maintenance (ie: no waiting for
tubes to warm up, no tube swapping or adjusting bias). Loudspeakers
throwing a moderate to difficult load at a tube integrated product will place
a lot of stress on the tubes to supply current which can negatively impact
tube life and reliability. Tube hybrid integrateds like the Aesthetix Atlas are
a different story of course, but I'd argue SS integrated amps like Accuphase
etc hold their value better overall than thier tube counterparts.

You should search out the Ayre integrated unit.....