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Recommendations for a small tube amplifier?

I have a modest office system for near-field listening that I spend a lot of time with and have been gradually evolving over the last couple of years.

I'd like your advice about a tube power amp to use with a pair of JohnBlue JB3 single-driver speakers and a NuForce Icon used as a DAC and preamp.

Preferences would be for a small footprint and the use of fairly common output tubes. I have a box full of EL34's, KT88's and 6L6 tubes I could use but would be open to other easily found tubes like EL84's.

I don't need a lot of power, the 12 watt Icon has plenty of power for the JB3's. Bass isn't a major consideration since I have the NuForce W1 subwoofer in the system.

I'd be open to building an amp from a kit, my first piece of audio gear was a Dynaco SCA-35 I built when I was 19.

One option I've looked at is the Sophia Baby but I'd like other ideas, as well. I'd like to spend $400 or less if possible.

Thanks for your help.
sfar
sfar's avatar
sfar OP
1,773 posts
 
Pubul57 - thanks for the RM10 recommendation. It looks like a great amp but I think I'd be lucky to find one for $400 since the new price is $2,000.

Lak - I'll look around at any options that come up but thanks for letting me know about your amp. I may be back in touch.

Buconero117 - thanks. Is there a power-amp-only version of the Cayin 50T? I can find links only to an integrated amp.
sfar's avatar
sfar OP
1,773 posts
 
Mrovnak - that's great information about the Sophia amp, thanks very much.

Did you install the cap upgrades yourself or is it necessary to have Sophia do the work?
sfar's avatar
sfar OP
1,773 posts
 
Kana813 - the Dodd amp looks very nice, and I do have an SLA battery around I used for a modified T-amp, but since the Dodd is a brand new product I don't think I'm going to find one at anywhere near my budget. I'd love to hear one, though.
pryso
1,986 posts
 
The Almarro A205A is a very sweet, musical little amp with drive beyond what the rated output might expect.

http://www.almarro.com/products.html

A friend even used one with his AvantGarde Duos in spite of the price mis-match.
onemug
784 posts
 
The Almarro and Glow Amp would be two of my favorites. The el84 is a great tube and they both run it single ended/class A. The Glow even has a USB port if you want to work it into you computer.
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