Looking for an integrated tube amp USA or Europe
C'mon Nate, you should know the drill. What speakers? How much power needed? Price range? Throw me a freaking bone here....... You could grab a Cary SLI-80 for around $1500 used. If you're looking for less power/money, how about a Manley Stingray, ARC VSi55, or a Conrad Johnson CAV-50? John |
John - I used a Cary for about a month and decided then that I would never buy one. Talk about lifeless and boring! I'm trying to get a system together for my son, so there are no speakers, or anything else. I forgot about the Stingray, that's a good option. I also wondered what other companies made an integrated that I didn't know about... Not familiar with Vista-Audio, I'll have to check into that... Any thoughts on Prima Luna? O o . |
Well I'd certainly recommend the PL2. Its cheap, flexible sound wise because of potential tube selection, idiot proof use and maintenance wise, well built, and a fairly contemporary tube sound, albeit a bit warmer than many. I've got a PL1 (as well as a 3/5 combo which I think is great given the price) and can imagine that with the upgrade to PL2 it would be more transparent than the PL1 and ideal for a 2d system for those on a budget. FWIW, if you can put up with a little less transparency (slightly rounded detail wise) and full but not exactly tight bass, you can do a lot worse than the PL1 w/a good detailed CDP. I've run my Wadia thru it and was quite surprised/pleased. They sure are cheap when they come up on A-Gon. I forgot to mention, the are actually made in China under European design and supervision. This doesn't deter me but its contrary to your initial expression regarding national preference. |
Nate, I know a gent who went from a VAC Avatar Super to a PrimaLuna ProLogue Two and was quite happy, though I've never heard one myself. You could always try a Rogue Audio from Pennsylvania. There's also a Audiomat Solfege from France. Then there is the JJ-Electronic from the Czech Republic. From Canada you have the Space-Tech labs family. Have fun shopping. John PS: Oh, how could I have forgotten E.A.R. products from Tim de Paravicini of England? And don't forget to make sure it doesn't have Chinese tubes. :) |
