After doing several more auditions, I've come across these two integrated amps to start my first 2Ch system. In comparing both of these to various Rogue gear over the weekend, I felt that both had strengths (liquid midrange) and weaknesses (not nearly as much bass) that I could live with. More importantly, I can actually see the tubes glow. (A stupid thing to base a purchase decision on but I really want to see them.)
Although I've seen some input on the Cayin A88, I not seen any reviews or posts regarding the A70. The A70 seems very similar but less wattage. It has the ability to switch from triode to ultralinear on the fly and has a HT bypass that I would use.
Unfortunately (for me) I also fell in love with a Unison Sinfonia over the weekend driving Reference L'Integral Nouveau speakers. It a beautiful auto biasing amp but $5K is virtually my entire budget. For the cost of the Sinfonia I can get the Cayin as well as an Adona rack and a Richard Gray 600S. I seen no reviews at all on Unison tube gear. Nada.
I guess I'm looking for some sort of validation to get either but I know I'll always have a question in the back of my head about what I should or could have done. Sort of like my marriage. I hate this hobby already and I haven't even gotten started yet. (Lord - please don't let my wife ever become a member of Audiogon).
Any feedback for a raw newbie would be appreciated. |
