I've narrowed it down...


So my first venture into tube equipment will be an integrated amp based on the recommendations of this fine group of enthusiasts. I have narrowed the field to the Rogue Audio Tempest III, Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum, the Cayin H-80 and Cary SLI-80.

All of this is based on what I have read and what fits in my budget. The Cary is a little over but for something I think I'll have for a lifetime I'm willing to go a little over...

I will be driving B&W 602S3's until more $$$ are available for something else.

My intent is to listen to vinyl then maybe venture into CD's or digital music. Any feedback or suggestions are appreciated.

Going somewhere to listen to any of these is not an option for me, and room size is undetermined as I am in the process of moving.

Thanks.
botit
B&W is not generally a tube-friendly load.
Crossover? Well, electrically, most B&W are a very reactive load...meaning it looks like a capacitor or inductor to the amp. Large impedance swings aren't fun for tubes, either.

SS is best.
Yes, do change speakers, I'm biased toward the Cary's (own or have owned several different models over the years). You might want to read the chat on Zu vs Tekton Lore.
With all due respect to some of the other posters, I suggest buying amps for speakers, not speakers for amps. I suggest that one find the speakers one likes, and then buy the appropriate amplification.
I suggest auditioning speakers WITH proposed amps.

Buying speakers for amps OR amps for speakers is the short way to madness.
Buying / auditioning together, especially for people just learning, is best done in a shop with some experienced guidance.
Online? Well, that's much more of a risk, IMO. Unless, of course, some background exists to ease the choice / reduce risk. Others have the 'buy it used and test it' philosophy, thinking they can sell whatever for pretty much what they paid for it.
The online approach is, to me, anyway, for the more experienced or those with deeper pockets.

Un, with much more experience can target into a class or perhaps even a brand of amp which has very high probability of satisfaction.

Overall, I'd say to buy the source first. That'll make run of mill stuff sound better and perhaps even survive a few upgrade cycles.
I agree completely with unsound, as far as picking a tube
Amp? Once you find the speaker that
You like, find the impedance chart for that
Speaker and look specifically at phase angles.
The dips or capacitive angles are what give tube
Amps a hard time