Valve amplifier choice

I am not sure about what is available in Australia, that may be a big deciding factor. But maybe some of the tube gear from Japan or a reputable Chinese manufacturer? A lot of the Japanese gear that I am aware of seems to be fairly low powered, SET amps (Shindo & Yamamoto for example). For Chinese made gear, check out Line Magnetic (LM) and Primaluna.

Look into the Cayin line, great sound, great value.

Thanks Guys

The Icon Audio model i auditioned was the
"Stereo 40 MK III 6AS7"

Specifications and Features
• Comprehensive manual supplied
• Full instructions for valve change included and bias meter
• All hand wired point to point
• No printed circuit or tag board to ‘colour’ sound
• Blue ALPS volume pot (Japan)
• Class A, all Triode front end
• Output circuit all pure Triode
• 4x 6SA7 precisely matched for best performance
• 1x 6SL7 first stage valve, 2x 6SN7 phase inverter
• 274B valve rectifier for smooth sound
• No global feedback used (integrated operation)
• Standby switch to save valve life and power
• 35 Watts per channel, 33+33W both channels driven
• Signal to noise level -95dB
• Freq response (L) 20Hz – 20kHz +/- 0dB 15W
• Freq response (H) 20Hz – 20kHz +/- 1dB 15W
• Min bass frequency for full power 15Hz
• THD 0.56% (L) 1.3% (H) both @ 15 W
• Suitable for 3 to 16ohm speakers (8 & 4 Ω taps)
• Damping Factor 5.00
• Supplied with attractive safety guard.
• Audiophile quality metal film resistors (Taiwan)
• Rubicon/Nichichron power caps.
• Purple LED mains indicator
• Choke regulated power supply
• Audiophile SCR/Solen Polypropylene audio caps.
• Optional Jensen Copper foil paper in oil upgrade
• Silver PTFE audio cable
• 99.9999% pure transformer copper
• High grade long grain transformer iron (Japan)
• Custom hand wound Tertiary output transformers
• Ceramic valve holders for minimum noise/leakage
• Gold plated Input & speaker terminals
• Four line inputs – CD, Tape, Tuner, Aux
• Tape monitor circuit with ‘Record Out’
• 280mv input sensitivity (H) Integrated
• 680mv input sensitivity (l) power amplifier
• 230/240volts 180w Min, 250watts max signal.
• 2A AS rear fuse
• CE, ROHSS and WEEE where applicable.
• 390mmW, 390D, 230H, 20kg

It was not expensive , i think comeing in at around $2500
Australian which i thought was reasonable for a quality valve amp.

I kind of like Macintosh for you. Living in a rural Tasmania, I’m going to suggest that equipment maintenance and reliability with a company that has a solid track record should be a priority in your decision.

Hi Phaelon

Yes the Macintosh is very tempting as the backup seems second
to none and the reputation gives real confidence , at this stage i have a few pieces collected over the years in the hobby , at this time now i want just one nice system , i have moved on from experimenting and have found i have 3 of each component , The problem with living in Tasmania is that all the distributors are located in Melbourne or Sydney , any suggestions on Mac models up to say $7000 Australian. I also have a Wadia 302 cdp in storage but find the Rega Dac wonderful despite its budget price its "outstanding". I use Transparent Audio Reference speaker cable and Kimber Ks 1011 interconnect from dac to amp , i have come to realise a smoother sound i enjoy rather than high detail in your face which i find in most systems i have heard at retailers. I like Dire Straits , Neil Young , Gordon Lightfoot , Eric Clapton , not much into hard rock .