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What is the best integrated tube amp under $3k ?

I have recently been bitten by the tube bug. For the most part, I really love it. My short experience with tubes is turning out to be filled with much analyzing and upgrading of tubes, cables and different dacs. I am also discovering the strengths and weaknesses of some of the components that I am using.
I am starting to look at replacing my Jadis Orchestra Reference and would like to hear from what other folks are using as their integrated tube amps. My plan would be to try to spend about $3000 for a good preowned amp.
I'd especially like to hear from anyone that has owned a JOR and has found something that they are satisfied with.
I'd like find something that will be able to drive Dali Helicon 800 which are about 90.5 db sensitive.
I have heard of SET tube amps that people seem very excited about. I would like to hear some objective observations about these systems as well.
Thanks in advance.
128x128mattzack2
trelja
3,223 posts
 
One suggestion if you do decide to keep the JOR is to drill additional holes in the bottom plate (there are already a bucketful of them) inline with the resistors and potentiometers involved in the biasing procedure.

As the disassembly and (especially) putting the amplifier back together are the most difficult and labor intensive steps, these holes would turn what is one of the most involved biasing procedures in audio into a simple no muss, no fuss 3 - 5 minute affair. Were I Jadis, I would implement it myself, as it would really make life easier for the JOR owners out there.
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,379 posts
 
Guys, the Air Tight being discussed is the ATM1. It is sold as a power amp, but does have passive volume pots and two inputs. I'm no transformer expert, but the Tamuras(sp?) that it includes are supposedly super high quality. Great for a simple rig, but limited for folks w/many sources. It has been around many years, so some with same model number could be 0-10+ years old. They've gone used here for ~$1800-1900 or so.

I used to own one, and liked its sonics, but at the time had trouble finding a larger pair of speakers that would mate nicely for a larger room. (In a small room it was heavenly paired with monitors by Chario.)I carried it to five dealers and dared them to match it with a pair of speakers in my budget that would fill a large room. Eventually I gave up and went another direction. Cheers,
Spencer
ajackson1
156 posts
 
cayin t100
mattzack2's avatar
mattzack2 OP
175 posts
 
The Cayin is a very beautiful piece. It was a toss up between a Cayin and a Jadis in the end for me.
saki70
907 posts
 
Sbank ;

Do you , or anyone else , know of an internet site where I can gain some info on the Air Tight products ?
I tried clicking on the 'Air Tight' link in the Industry Directory here and it only lists the distributor 'Axiss' . Their website does not list much of anything about the product .

I would like to know the power output , biasing procedures , tubes used and type of tubes that can be rolled in for the ATM-1 and ATM-1S .

Thank You .
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