American-made integrated tube amplifiers


I have been holding out for an American-made integrated tube amp. It seems, however, that all the recent buzz has been about Asian-made products. Obviously, economics has forced many of us to reconsider our equipment budgets. This most often narrows amp selection to foreign manufacturered designs. Is there an affordably priced "made-in-the-USA" integrated tube amp that clearly outperforms and outclasses the current comparative Asian products filling the approx. $1500 price range? A scan through the common publications indicate, not.
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What about Manley Stingray and I think David Belles (Power Modules) made/makes a well respected one. Though not sure the Belles was tubes or not.........
Hey Trelja - Ralph's gotta be a tremendous assett to have on that project. Dude's a true Renaissance man with a great passion for music. That sounds like a product worth waiting for! Tell him I'll see him next year in band camp!

I agree 100% that it's imperative that we shift production back to these shores.

Amen. If we don't, we're doomed and I could see an Eastern dominated world, like Blade Runner portrays so pointedly, in our future. High-end audio is only a pebble on the beach though.

Marco
Depending on your speakers and their sensitivity, you might look at what is available in the Bottlehead line-up. You can get them as kits (with what all report as great instructions) or you can ask them to build one for you (which will cost a little bit more (though every now and then he has sales of some pre-built products which he advertises on his forum on Audioasylum)). I believe I read some time ago there is some work going on to develop a stereo amp and/or perhaps an integrated. You could ask over at the asylum, explain your case, and see if Doc B (the proprietor) would sell you a prototype... If it ran into problems down the road, the trouble-shooting assistance available on the forum is second-to-none, with many people glad to help newbies.

OTOH, the products Trelja refers to sound like potential winners just by knowing who is involved. You will find very few people who say Ralph/Atmasphere's products don't sound top notch, and given how hard we have tried in this thread so far to come up with something, it's obviously a breath of fresh air to the price point.
Cary SLI-80 is a stunner. So is the Manley Stingray. Owned both and a Cayin 88T. No contest- the Cayin did not hang.
Trelja...

Kudos and I wish you the best of luck with your venture. People may scoff at the idea of "affordable" high end gear due to the "dilution" of the "elite" factor. I on the other hand look at it as you bringing the joy of "high end" audio to more people that couldn't otherwise afford it.

Marco...

Blade Runner eh? I was thinking more '5th Element' with the Government Cheese hovercraft showing up at the windows of our itty bitty condos...and more "circus" to go along with the bread.