I recently changed from a tube amp to an Audio Refinement Complete and I am reasonably satisfied. However, as good as the ARC sounds, it is not a tube amp. It does not have the bloomy, airy sound of good tubes. It is "good for solid state". I have found it somewhat sensitive to the cables used with it and was almost going to sell it until I stumbled onto a combination of i/c and speaker cables that "work". If you want to get an inexpensive tube amp suggest you check on Ebay for an AMC CVT3030 or AMC tube separates. I briefly tried an AMC tube amp and really liked the sound-better than many solid state amps. Unfortunately, it needed more ventilation than my cabinet would provide and I wanted to downsize my system and get out of separates.
A reasonable integrated w/ remote - possibly tube?
I've done extensive searching in the archives, but would love some "fresh" answers. I'm looking for a quality integrated with remote in the sub $2k range, preferrably around $1500. I'm thinking about my first foray into tubes, but since my listening tastes run from Oakenfold/Underworld/Techno to Brahms and classical, I'm a little leery about some of the traditional drawbacks of tubes, namely bass impact. Currently my system is a Naim 92R, 90/3, Flatcap, Planet 2000, and Mission 774s. It's nowhere near the best in soundstaging, but I love the rhythmic drive and pace provided by the Naim gear.
Plinius? Rogue Audio? Jolida? I would be very interested in any suggestions, hints, warnings, caveats, etc. A remote is strongly desired, but not absolutely necessary I suppose. Thanks for your time!
Plinius? Rogue Audio? Jolida? I would be very interested in any suggestions, hints, warnings, caveats, etc. A remote is strongly desired, but not absolutely necessary I suppose. Thanks for your time!