Which integrated Amp, Almarro,Cayin,Red Wine?

Valve sound or not is first question.Red Wine will have less flexibility input and output wise but has great harmonic richness for a SS.Ask around about battery upkeep aomw have said it's no problem but I was told by former seller of Dodd Battery Pre ultimately for some it's not worth it.Good harmonics with Redwine but no valve euphonics so different sound.Both Alammaro and Cayin are good values but you may or may not want more power of Cayin (I own 40 wat EL34 EAR and it's find with speakers those specs but I don't play insanely loud).

If you want another option my friend runs speakers with those specs (B&W 805 Matrix III's) with a Cary SLI80 in triode but nice thing is if he changes Speakers he can get a lot more power on tap in pentode (double the 40 into 80 watts).So0 for $1750 to $2k used you could get double power.But Cayin is good deal. and will give more depth a and dynamics and Almarro will be richer.Just brought up Cary because 40 watts isn't too much and you could swap to hungrier speaker.It and VTL are good value unit's.But between Cayin and Alamarro you camn decide one what you want SET richness or Cayin Dynamics (or spend more on used Cary).But you should find wither and SET or push puol in same room with a Redwine and see if what you like.New Redwine tube mod option is nice but it's limited input/output and cost may not be worth it $$$ wise for me and be just what you want.You can get inputs and outputs added by Vinnie for $500 a set (I need one for digital and one for analogue minimum plus second outs for sub is nice) but dollar value not as good as tube units.but I want to hearer it with valve and new battery set up (which Vinnie say's should last loner).Just wish he made a Integrated with a bit more power and inputs outputs of his pre without as high a price tag.Obviously I have thought about it myself but at Redwine cost have thought might as well get a tube pre and a Pass J or other SS.If I dump my Ear I'd go Cary but if starting Alamarro and Cayin are good values.
Cheers
Chazz

Audiomat Recital----Game over!!

I owned the Cary SLI-80 for a number of years. I've listened a fair bit, to the Red Wine, and currently own the Almarro 318b.

I admire many of their products, and the Cary is a nice piece, and offers more watts, as previously noted. I was happy with it for a long time. I did eventually discover that it is however, just a bit slow on dynamics and pace compared to some other amps I have familiarity with, and that led to me selling it.

The Almarro offers more beautifully balanced sound, with greater richness and depth. No issues at all with any slowing of dynamics or pace here, and the overall presentation is truly wonderful. Within it's wattage limits, you would have to spend a small fortune to better it. Belive me, I've tried. Read the extensive 6 Moons review to get a better idea of how good this amplifier is.

The Red Wine is somewhat limited in what it can do, insofar as inputs, outputs,etc. The sound is not typical solid state and incorporates some degree of warmth, but it will never be mistaken for a good SET amplifier. I think it is a fine product though, and it offers good control of dynamics, a balanced presentation, and sound quality well above it's cost. Again, though, it does not offer the same experience as a good SET amp, and that sounds as though it is what you are after. I do need to note that what I heard was the original amplifier, not the 30.2 version, and not with the tube option. That certainly may make some difference.

I've auditioned a number of the Cayin amps. They are beautifully built, and offer excellent value. Insofar as the A-50T, It's not the sweet spot of their lineup, IMO. I thought it's sound somewhat "polite" and definitely far less involving, rich and deep than the Almarro. Now, the Cayin A-300B would be more comparable in sound to the Almarro, but with a mere 8 watts, and at twice the cost of the A-50T.

Now, lets get to the heart of the matter. Your room size presents issues that I don't think you are effectivly dealing with. I am using the Almarro 318B in a 10x10 room, in a "nearfield" setting. My speakers sensitivity is 90 and the 18 wpc are "just" enough. In your room, at 9/22, forget it unless you listen to the speakers at a very short distance, and never listen at more than low to barely medium levels.

I honestly think you need something on the order of 40-60wpc minimum, if you listen at "normal" or louder levels. And as the commercials used to say, "that changes everything"!.

Give the above, your best options would be along the lines of used integrated tube amplifiers such as the superb Vincent V-60, a Cayin A-100T, Melody H88II, or even a Manley Stingray II. And I might also give a listen to the justifiably lauded Vincent SV-236 MKII hybrid amp available at a great price point. All will offer more power, which I strongly suspect you need. The Manley the least of the group, but it may just be enough.