Let's talk tube amps - no ss discussion


In the $2500-3500 range, what are the tube amps that you have heard and liked and why? Which ones sound best with a passive pre and active preamp? Yes, very subjective conversation, but still open-ended.
cellorover

Showing 2 responses by marakanetz

I heard both 50W and 100W integrated amps and they're with no doubdt excellent sounding amps. Havn't heard 50W monos though but I guess they're clones of integrated EveAnna's with 4 EL84 power tubes per side.
VTL and Manleys are built on the same electronic design(meaning internal i guess).
While I had a great chance to look-up and study the VTL design I can only guess that Manleys benefit from higher quality parts, chasis AND mainly from built quality(i.e. circuit protection that is basically routine for any of the tube amplifiers or pre-s but not implemented though in most of VTL models) V.S. VTLs and the price therefore higher.

IMHO VTL signature line starting from MB185 to MB225 can compete with less-powerful Manleys depending again on speaker and room you're dealing with.
Manley amps for the power you need will certainly be beyond your budget except the integrated one.

On the other hand if you have 85dB monitors with small woofer and small room you might realy get away with 60W/ch

Otherwise you can get VTL MB185 or MB225 signature used. They're good with low efficiency and heavy speakers and stable to nearly any impedance swings.