2. amps-preamps
  3. 1145561580

integrated tube amp recommendations, with remote

Hi Audiogoners,

I'm getting very excited planning my first true hi-fi system, and am looking for recommendations.

I'd like an integrated tube amp for <$1500, new or used. I'd like it to have a remote control, which curiously seems to be somewhat rare on tube amps of this price range. Unless someone can convince me that not having a remote improves the sound quality, I feel this is a requirement for the convenience factor.

I normally listen to music at "average listening volume," but occasionally host the cramped apartment party and need to crank it, so do want an amp that can deliver enough power, recognizing that it's about quality of the power versus wattage, etc.

I've so far seen only a couple that meet these criteria:

Antique Sound Lab AQ1001DT
Rogue Tempest II (a little pricier than I wanted)

Also looked at the Primaluna Prologues, Jolida JD202A or JD302B, but no remotes!

Any other ideas?

Thanks,
Ravi
defiantscientist
bartokfan
664 posts
 
Hey Kehut, I have a topic going on about the A88.
I only know the A88's sister amp, the B300. Heard it a friends house.....man my first hearing of a 300 tube. Unreal smooth clean mids, not much in the bass./nor highs, but the mids/vocals, to die for.
But the B300 tube is not for me. Its the KT88/Kt90 that I have in the Jadis ORCH Refer.
So I suspect your A88 to be almost as rich sounding as the B300 in the mids, plus the added bass and highs.
Am I correct?
btw look how fast a used A88 sells on the Gon.
The remote on the Cayin cdp is top notch, but I never use a remote.
kehut's avatar
kehut
667 posts
 
Yes Bartokfan...Id say that is correct. The A88T is rich and textural sounding in the mids with excellent extension of the bass/highs without harshness. Im not fond of the 300B tube due to its limited extension. True it has glorious mids, but must be matched well to the speaker driven. Usually the single driver/hi sens types, but will still only really get the mids.

The A88T/KT-88 is a balanced sound with superb resolution and transparency. Definately competes with higher priced seperates IMO. I think Harry Weisfeld of VPI loves his A-88T and plugs the amp as well in the AS catalogue.
bartokfan
664 posts
 
Yes my friend had a high sensitivity speaker hooked up to the cayin B33.
On some vocals there was a ever so slight "bark" at some fq's.
It was comming from the speaker, no fault of the amp.
I could not live with that.
However I only listen to classical, so it might not have been a problem.
But as I'm not giving up my speakers with are low sensitive, the Seas' drivers, so I work the amp around the speaker. The speaker rules, not the amp.
I may get the Cayin A88 one day on a bargain price. And then sell the Jadis OR.
I would not want to give up what the Jadis offers unless the swap is in my favor.
My hunch is that the A88 will offer a tad more vs the Jadis.

I see at least one Jadis fan is finding my hunch difficult to accept.
bartokfan
664 posts
 
Read "my friend had the B300 Cayin"
As with you, its great with certain sensitive speakers, but I need the extensions offered from the A88.
Hopefully my next amp
macrojack
1,292 posts
 
I am using an Onix Sp-3. No remote but it has a build quality that should cost 10 times as much as it does. Puts out 38 watts, has surprising bass and very good overall sound quality. I have heard it on Zu and Merlin and it excelled with both. Output tubes are very inexpensive and maintenance is near zero. Oh yeah! You can buy a new one for $700 and used for between $500/$600. That leaves more moolah for other components.
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