Balanced Low Power Tube Monoblocks?

Thanks, T_bone. That is right in the wheelhouse. Any idea of the approximate cost for a single unit (used)?

I would take Duke's advice. I always have.

Whatever, buy something you can get serviced relatively easily. I would stay away from foreign companies that don't have US repair support.

The big Cary SET monoblocs (845/211 output tubes) are the first that jump to mind. 300b tubes are used in these amps as drivers, but they should have a long life in that application.

Good Luck

Marty

Tvad,
I live around the world from you (or so I'm betting). In Japan, the integrated amp version of the amp called the 859 won a StereoSound "Best Component" award about 12-13 years ago I think and they sold a bunch of 859s here. The 861 came not long afterward I believe, and I have seen them around but they are somewhat rare. If I went looking for a pair, I would find them separately and probably have to pay $3-3.5k each. I would expect they would be easiest to find in the UK. This is more of a deal where you buy one if it comes up at the right price, but you might not try to hold your breath...

Travis (the other one) has a point - anything you buy you'd better know how it is going to be serviced if something goes. My gut is that these could be serviced by someone outside the EAR family - they are, after all, a reasonably simple tube amp I believe. However, if you are a person who needs brand servicing, you'd need to figure out if it was available to you. They have a couple of dealers in the US but that's it.

Quicksilver used to make a Triode Mono @ 50 watts / 8 ohms that could have balanced imputs. Not sure if it is made any longer but still shown on Galen Carols website.