Golden Tube amps


These look interesting to me and have some good prices. Anyone have some opinions on these? Reliability? Sound quality such as sound staging, detail and of course realism. I have never owned tube, so don't know the problems that come with tubes in general.
r32657
Thanks for the feedback. So what is a good tube amp to go with that is in the same price range?
The one that combines undisputed reliability along with excellent sound is Quicksilver M60.
This one also excells on tube longetivity and probably today's champion on this issue. Never I gues you would have to do anything with these amps. Jus plug and play.
I bought a pair of used Golden Tube Audio 40W monoblocks from a local audio store. They had been modified by Manley labs, I've had them for 2 years now and never had a problem. I'm fairly new to audio and have not listened to many different types of systems, but an old audiophile friend was extremely impressed with the sound of these amps and said they were a bargain at the price.

I read about the reliability issues - there is a long discussion on audioreview, and so a few months later I bought a second pair used on audiogon, thinking that I'd use them for parts when the first pair broke. Well, no surprise, idle amps beg for new speakers...I ended up getting a pair of used SL3s and set up a second system with the second pair of GTAs, and have used these for 18 months with no problems yet.

Maybe I've been lucky...but I highly recommend the GTA amps.
Hard to go wrong with a McIntosh MC240 or MC225; both around 1000 to 2000 depending on condition. Runners closer to a grand to 1500; pretty ones closer to 2000. Great amps with some minor upgrades to the components.