On the cheaper, and low powered side, the Dynaco Stereo 70's are great amplifiers. www.echohifi.com has one for $400 (updated and refurbished). I've bought from their retail store and they're good guys. I have heard old, refurbished fisher receivers sound very good too. I have the Big Big brother version of the ST-40, the SFM-160's. Their sound is very warm and tubey. They don't have the detail or quietness of my AR vt100m2, but do have a larger soundstage, and arguably better midrange. See www.soundstage.com for a review of the st-40.
SF Assemblage ST-40 tube amp?
I was thinking of looking for a used ST-40 amplifier to try, for a foray into affordable tube amps. Problem is, nobody seems to be selling theirs, so there must be something good happening with them, maybe? I have several different speakers, and am interested in finding out how well this amp would drive them on my own, but wonder if this amp is worth trying.................What I would like is to hear from those who either own one, or have compared one directly to another tube amp of similar price.........OR..........The Rogue Model 88 looks intrigueing too, but is a little more than I want to spend on a tube amp. (I'm an ss guy, my current amp is a Krell KAV-250a, and it's not going anywhere...) And please, NO CHEAPSHOTS from the peanut gallery (you know who you are). I get riled easily, and am not responsible for what you'll unleash...heh heh. And as everyone says, "thanks in advance".......Carl