2. amps-preamps
  3. 962911446

I need tube sound without the tubes

I've been running tubes for awhile and am just about fed up with all the problems that tubes entail. I've spent the past five years putting out fires...sometimes literally. Problem is I love the tube sound. Now, I'm a poor social worker with a taste for caviar and a pocket for tunafish...anyone out there have any recommendations for a great cheap amplifier that sounds sorta tubey. I need at least 75W per channel to run my speakers effectively. Cheap, my doctor and lawyer friends, means around $400. Maybe I'll be able to afford more in my next lifetime. Anybody want to make a donation to charity?
todd_crosby59c4
cr
6 posts
 
Muse 100 amp. If you can find a used one, it'll be about $400.00-500.00 used. It has a very nice tube sound without any tubes to worry, and it built by a great company. Any questions, let me know.
todd_crosby59c4 OP
3 posts
 
Hi Dave, To answer your question, I started with Counterpoint gear about seven years ago. As you probably know, that stuff can be a nightmare. Went back to CA three separate times and almost burned my house down. Just got back from Peace Corps in 1998 and needed a tube amp so I got a Dynaco. Sounded great for about four months...then it's gone...I think it's the can capacitor. But even then the sound was great on some nights...others it was mediocre. But your right...I love tube sound, but after owning tubes for years, I've spent more time looking at my equipment than listening to it.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
For an integrated amp, check out the YBA Audiorefinement Complete or used YBA Integre or Integre DT For separates, tube champ Conrad Johnson makes a Sonographe SA250 Amp at 125 watts which has a tube sound, even more so when matched with the Sonographe Preamp. I do mean the SA250, some earlier Sonographe amps sound more solid state but are still pretty nice.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
There are currently two SA250 currently listed here, one is $450, the other $600.
kacz
177 posts
 
In that price range I think you would be really happy with a decent ADCOM amp. Try the 555 mkII or 5800. They are very smooth and easy on the ears. You can pick one up used for around $400-$500.
More to discover