2. amps-preamps
  3. 1143435164

Ok....Audiogoners: need some tube amp ideas

Any suggestion/comment is appreciated. Just off the top of my head, below is a list of initial parameters.

- budget: $4k ish (somewhat flexible)
- tubes/valves amp(s)
- preowned or new
- mono or stereo configuration
- min wattage: 70 and higher (this rating would afford me more speaker options down the road e.g. 4/8 ohm and >88db efficiency)
- brand(s): leaning toward more esoteric manufacturers or models (e.g. Dodd 120, VAC PHI, Audio Valves); would prefer staying away from manufactueres that do magazine advertisement.

Current thought: I might push the budget a bit to consider a pair of preowned Lamm ML1.

Thanks much. (currently listening to Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2 by NY Philharmonic/Berstein)

Ken
kyyuan
sbank's avatar
sbank
2,038 posts
 
Right at the low end of your power range is the Berning ZH270. One is for listed sale ~$4k(I don't know the seller). A very high performing quasi-OTL design that runs cool, weighs only 10 lbs. and has output tube life of ~10 years! Worth reading about if you aren't familiar with it. This amp is being discontinued later this year, to be replaced in about 2 years with a model that will have 100w/ch, but sell in the $10k neighborhood.
Most of the other better tube amps IMHO aren't high enough power for you, or are over budget.
If you want push/pull, a used Air Tight ATM2 would be good. OF the ones you mention, the VACs are nice, too.
At $5k/pr, their are Wolcott P220s. Great w/Electrostatics.
Cheers,
Spencer
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,699 posts
 
I would suggest conrad johnson either a premier 140 stereo or a pair of premier 12 mono-blocs; both used as neither are current products.
jgiacalo
446 posts
 
McIntosh MC275. No contest.
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