I'm Ready to go TUBE

I pretty much agree with Honest1...tube amps sound even more different than solid state amps. You need a plan and lots of research because your not going to get a chance to listen to very many unless you live in a very large city.

I have used a tubed preamp for a while but only added tubed monos last Christmas.

I already had the speakers I wanted so I only needed to find a tube amp that would mate well with my speakers and preamp, and of course provide the type of sonic signature I was after for my system as a whole.

This led me to pass on some very fine tube amps that may have been a "top choice" in another system...but I thought "not" in this system.

A little research and some idea of what your after could save some extra shipping.

Dave

I strongly recommend the ROGUE products. Their Stereo 90 amp is a modern classic and retails for only $2200, the Metis pre-amp is a grand and was just called the 'budget component of their year' in a rave review in TAS.

This is not classic 'tubey' gear, soft, with no frequency extremes. This has the incredible 'realness' and amazing midrange you get from tubes, but a more modern sound. Think ARC, but not so analytical. And way more reliable. My Rogue pre and power amp are dead quiet, I mean SILENT. Very nice gear.

You need to determine if your speakers suit a tube amp.In my experience most mainstream speakers don't.
The real magic of tube amps is generally only revealed with simple efficient speakers.
This is more involved than just efficiency too.Complex crossovers rob tube amps of much of their potential.As I understand it this is due to tube amps having low damping factors.
I tend to agree with Larryken in that you should look into a tube preamp first.
This is not to say that I don't love tube power amps,but finding optimal speakers for them can be an issue.And if you are happy with your speakers why change?

JT

Check out the Dodd 120's, you will smile