2. amps-preamps
  3. 1311892145

Help with a first tube amp Please

I am looking to buy an amp.I have never heard a tube amp but I keep reading all the rave.Right now I have a Mac1900,Sansui Tu and Au 7900 and a couple Luxman recievers, all powering speakers as Sansui SP 1200, H H Scott from 1964 and ADS and a pair of newly purchased Magnepan mg2 for 75.00, that was a deal. I have a budget of up to 1000.00 tops.I don't think I want a Ying Yang amp from Ebay and I can't buy a vintage MC 275 either.I wiould like to buy an integrated amp to start with.Well thanks for your help from Rochester,Mn.
ridemypanhead
rrog
1,958 posts
 
If you want a taste of tubes look for a clean Dynaco Stereo 70 and Pas 3x. That combination out performed an Adcom GFA 555 power amp (200 watts) and Adcom GFP 565 preamp. The Dynaco combo had a bigger soundstage, better dynamics and a much more refined and musical sound. A Stereo 70 (not modified) and Pas 3x in proper working order and clean cosmetics will cost less than your $1000 budget and they are not going down in value, unlike the "Made in China" amplifiers previously mentioned.
schipo
1,268 posts
 
your budget calls for you to look at the C&J MV52 or 55 tube amps. There easy to bias unlike the Audioresearch models. There built well and the company seems to be very profitable so should be around for a long time ....
liguy
228 posts
 
I a 40 watt tube amp going to be enough to drive a pair of Maggies? They have the reputation of being current hungry buggers.
musicslug
430 posts
 
second on the rogue cronus - amazingly good for the $, esp. if you can find one used
ts0711
91 posts
 
OP's price reange was $1000.00, you can't get a VTL IT-85 for that price. I have to admit it will smoke the just about any Jolida. I have the IT-85 (with upgrades caps) in my bedroom set-up. The Will Vincent Dynacos are also very nice but not intergrated amps. I owned Will's MKIII mono blocks for a while as well.
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