Best Pre/Amp or Integrated for Zu Essence

Theres no question about a synergy between tube amps and the Essence. I've run my Essences on at least seven different tube amps ranging from 2A3 SETs to the ARC Classic 60, and all did very well. For a different perspective on life, try a Unison Research Unico P. 50 watts of very capable Class A biased output fronted by a 12Au7 in the pre. An extremely well constructed amp that performs very well and squeezes a bit more bass from my Essences than some tube amps. It's price won't add to the deficit either.

As an update to my prior post, I love the Shindo, but it is not the pre for the Torii. At least not for my amp in my friends system. The torii is still extremely highly recommended.

I think you will enjoy the Quad set-up. While I don't own the Quads, I have heard them numerous times as its one of the prime demo setups at a local dealer where I spend a lot of time. It's tonal quality is in between the very neutral ARC and the more lush AES & Cary's. I had the Essence a few years ago and thought it a very nice all around speaker from Zu. I thought the Druid was better (more energetic and visceral) for rock but the Essence with the ribbon was better (more detailed and nuanced) for jazz and Classical. A nice affordable high efficiency speaker. To do much better you will need to get into the much more expensive AER/PHY type drivers IMO.

It would be nearly impossible to top one of the following suggestions: Melody 2A3, Astro Black 22 (22 Watt pp, but great), Audion Silver Night (300B) or Decware Minitorii or Zen Integrated mod 3 out in March. These will all come in under 4,500 and will kill most nearly everything else. You may not like the tubes offered with each unit. Most can be tried at home so go knock yourself out and send me the savings so I can buy more gear ;-)

My first suggestion is, buy whatever Audion tube amp you can find up to your spending limit. The synergy between Audion's fast, expressive sound and Zu, including Audion's tonal completeness and their ability to civilize the ribbon supertweeter makes that brand a first choice. 300B SET, or KT88 SE Tetrode, or even the 300B push-pull integrated for more bass discipline than the SET amps offer, will be great.

If you can find the Quad Classic II Integrated either discounted or used to fit your limit, it's a real option. It uses power amp circuity inspired by the original Peter Walker design, but it's a Tim deParavicini rework to use the KT66 pair for 25w/ch output instead of 15w. It sounds beautiful and strong, and generally I like the quality of today's production KT66 copies, than current KT88s and EL34s. The Shuguang Treasure KT66 is excellent, and the basic Shuguang Genelex copy is not only very good but are available cheaply with cryo treatment and they are also excellent. Otherwise the Quad II-Forty route is excellent, though you can (and should) consider a better preamp than the QC24 -- that line's weak link.

In solid state, consider the Lavardin Reference 30, or the LFD below the reference model. Neither will sound transistory on Essence.

Others: Melody AN211. 16/16 SET watts but lots of drive. Also anything in the Melody Astro Black series that captures your imagination. The 22, 40 or 50. You can also come in lower, with the Mystere ia21 integrated. Or go separates with the Mystere ca21 preamp + a pair of Quad II Classic monoblocks. You have a lot of option today, given the tube amps coming out of China. But let me add another ss option:

Luxman L550A II or ax. Class A, 20/20w, lots of drive; beautiful. You only have to stretch a bit to get one new.

Phil