Tube Options with Verity Tamino

You can do what I do with my Infinity RSIIb speakers (also not an easy load), namely use a tube preamp with high current SS power. In my case that is a Supratek Chenin preamp with a Gilmore Raven amp. The amp is $3.5K, a little bit above your limit, though. Maybe something like a Channel Islands D-200 could get you there for less. You get some tube magic, but still retain the SS slam.

Thanks for all the replies! I appreciate them.

I'm still considering the VAC integrated amps. The super would be nice but I may have to go with the Avatar for budget reasons.

I think the Tamino's do well with upwards of 50 watts. The VSi-55 was all over them with only 50 watts. Wide, open, very deep, good tonality. It did sound a tad dry for my taste. The AX7e seems less powerful but a tad more detailed with great soundstage but kind of thin sounding compared to the ARC. I know it's all apples and oranges but I just happened to have three sets of speakers and four amps available for a few months.

I think for me the quality of the amplifier makes more difference than the power rating. I had the Luxman 590AII for a while and I've never heard a 30 watt amp sound more spacious, clear, and powerful. Like a 200 watt amp. Quality trumps power so far IMO.

I guess more specifically, please describe what 3D dimensionality I would give up with a tube pre and ss amp vs tubes all the way through. This is probably most important to me. I've heard many ss combos and many tube combos but never a mix.

Thanks again.

Not much.