Pubul57, your enthusiasm for the Ars as the only and best int amp for Merlins has to be admired, but you have not heard the Jadis DA 88 Signature with them (I have) - and how do you know the Ear isn't a match? Anyway, the questioner is talking "bargain", which to me means a lot less than $4K, so to answer Jamesw20, I have owned and heard the Onix and the TAD-60, and there is no comparison - the TAD-60 with EL 34s blows it away, as well as anything else I've heard for $800 used. If one input is enough, it has a volume control and can be used as an int amp; if not, I'd get a Manley Stingray and use it in triode mode or a Cayin. (as Bobgates suggests)