classic sounding 25 watt tube amp

Cayin or VAS (citation monos) units are the way to go. Most of their units are 'voiced' to classic tube gear. I have both Cayin and VAS units, great sound and value. I also have a Dynaco clone, Sound Valves M60 mono blocks. They also sound great and often come on the used market for less then $800. They are a steal.

i spoke to steve leung about the vas cs 2. he said they are neutral and not tube-like in the classic sense.
i spoke to roger majeski about the rm 10. he also suggested that he designs amps with very little harmonic distortion. i owned an rm 9 and was not happy with it.

i am looking into a stock stereo 70. the modified ones lose the bloom and other euphonic colorations that a stock stereo 70 has.

the jolida and sophia products are integrated amps. i am looking for an amplifier.

thanks for your help and advice.

cary rocket 88?

the vas monos sound pretty retro to me..in a very classic 8b, or citation kinda way. perhaps there are many opinions about 'neutral'. the entry level rogue also has more of the same magic.

VAS also reps Cayin 860 tubed mono blocks which I have and use for my Merlin VSMs. Reportedly modeled after the classic Marantz 9 power amp. I don't see them mentioned very often but imho they offer incredible bang for the $$$..(point to point wiring, solid chassis, massive transformers, etc). +/-35 watts in Triode mode, 70 watts ultraliner. EL34, KT 88 or 6550 driver tubes can be used.

I have a pair bought new last year that I had Sonic Craft provide a bunch of upgrade mods for (SC caps, Cardas caps, Black gates, discrete rectifiers, etc) and NOS Mullard tubes, etc. They are really sweet.

You can find out more details at Acoustic Sounds website as they sell them and had them in one of their demo rooms with Harbeth speakers. If you may be interested ping me a pm as I am considering selling these.

Kenreau