$2500 Tube Amp Recommendations

$2500 tube amp?

Look for some Dodd 120 MK II monos and throw in some Winged C EL 34 output tubes from Antique Electronic Supply for another $100 or so ($17 ea matched), and you'll have money left over. if you can also get the Dodds with the platinum cap upgrade, so much the better.

Thorman's nod to the Thor line stage preamp is a really good idea too if the money is in place. I have one too, suppliying my Dodds. I'd almost guarantee you won't be disappointed. I too listen to mostly jazz and blues... bluegrass and so forth.

They'll drive many, many speakers very well. Even my 87db Phase techs which drop to 2 ohms.

You might even wind up with $$$ left over.

It seems power is a consideration, how many watts do I need to comfortably drive the speakers in a 10 x 12 room with a 88db sensitivery and a nominal imped of 6ohms? I would like the flexability of both triode and ultralinear modes but not sure what the minimums should be.

I've had an Art Audio Concerto that I would highly recommend for this money. I think there is one for sale here now.

Have you considered the The CARY CAD 120S Power Amplifier recently named ‘2008 Product of the Year’ from Electronic House magazine and a STEREOPHILE 2008 Class A tube amp.
This stereo power amplifier is rated at 60 watts per channel in triode mode and 120 watts per channel in ultralinear mode into an 8 ohm speaker load.
The output stage may be switched ‘on the fly’ from triode mode to ultralinear mode by using a front panel selector button. The power supply features 1,120 micro farads of capacitance for ample reserves in demanding usages.
CARY is a great company and has a great customer service department and I'm sure they will be happy to answer any questions you have. While the retail is $5,500, there are some great deals right now on Audiogon withinn your range.

If you chose the Sonus Faber for its warm sound, be aware that the Audio Research gear tends toward the opposite side of the tube scale. If you find the sonus sound too lush, it may balance it toward neutral. Just for my preferences, it could be a little like water and oil. I like the former suggestion of a Thor linestage and I'd like to add the Dehavilland Mercury to your list. Good luck, Jeff