If it doesn't glow, it's gotta go! Tubes add a sense of warmth and musicality to any system, and by tube rolling you can dial in the sound to your liking. In looking at your application I would suggest something from Cayin or Opera, both very good Chinese companies.
I sold off my SS integrated at work recently (Primare) and bought this http://www.operaudio.com/Html/Opera-Products-CYBERSERIES-cyber10.htm
The Opera Consonance Cyber 10 has a toggle switch to select either ultralinear or triode mode, biasing is pretty simple as you can see by the picture in the URL. I ordered the unit with two inputs to accomodate my SAE Two tuner and heavily modded Toshiba SD3950 DVD in my office system; headphone listening is important to me seeing as I'm in an office so having the headphone jack and/or a line out to add a headphone amp was a must have (Senn HD600 cans with Cardas cable). Speakers are Totem Rokk with QED Silver Anniversary wire. How does it sound? No idea, I've been traveling throughout Asia for the last three weeks but my boss who is a big time 'phile set it up and reported back to me...
"Very nice unit and sounds good too. I connected the CDP and the tuner in input 1 and 2. Speakers are at 4 ohm. I played some Dark Side of the Moon. Good pick!"
I'll write a review once I put the integrated through it's paces and have a good feel for it's character. Keep an open mind and have some fun with tubes! Best, Jeff
I sold off my SS integrated at work recently (Primare) and bought this http://www.operaudio.com/Html/Opera-Products-CYBERSERIES-cyber10.htm
The Opera Consonance Cyber 10 has a toggle switch to select either ultralinear or triode mode, biasing is pretty simple as you can see by the picture in the URL. I ordered the unit with two inputs to accomodate my SAE Two tuner and heavily modded Toshiba SD3950 DVD in my office system; headphone listening is important to me seeing as I'm in an office so having the headphone jack and/or a line out to add a headphone amp was a must have (Senn HD600 cans with Cardas cable). Speakers are Totem Rokk with QED Silver Anniversary wire. How does it sound? No idea, I've been traveling throughout Asia for the last three weeks but my boss who is a big time 'phile set it up and reported back to me...
"Very nice unit and sounds good too. I connected the CDP and the tuner in input 1 and 2. Speakers are at 4 ohm. I played some Dark Side of the Moon. Good pick!"
I'll write a review once I put the integrated through it's paces and have a good feel for it's character. Keep an open mind and have some fun with tubes! Best, Jeff