The Rouge Tempest III is $2995.00 new and a lot better than the Cronus,IMHO. |
Cayin makes good tube integrated amps in that price range. |
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I'll second the Cary Sli-80 recommendation.
I had a Rogue Cronus - not the Magnum - and it is a great amp. It has a lot of fans and you can expect great service from Rogue. I had a Cary AES-25 amp at the same time and even though it was a little underpowered for my speakers compared to the Cronus I preferred the triode sweetness and musicality of the AES-25.
That experience led me to buy an Sli-80 and I couldn't be happier with it. I wouldn't try to talk you out of the Cronus but the Cary is worth a listen in comparison. No experience with the Primaluna. |
I have heard the Cary SLi-80 on Reference 3A De Capo i's, and they were a very good match, but I preferred the Ayon Spirit II integrated runnning in the Triode mode...Very open, detailed and energetic, with lots of texture and 3-D soundstage. |
Vincent V-60 now available on AG. |
You can easily get an Ayon Spirit 2 used for that price... and if you bargain you can get an Ayon Spirit 3 new for very near that price.
The Ayon is a wonderful integrated |
And put a pair of 5ar4's in place of the 5u4's at the rectifier position and this amp really opens up (more transparent with improved bass).
Chuck |
Some good recommendations already. Have you thought about something like the MastersounD KT88 or EL34 amps? |
A real bargain would be the Aronov LS-960I if well maintained, and about $1200 pre-owned.
It has a most natural, musical character, together with the best ability to optimize bass accuracy and extension anywhere near this price range. |
buying a Cayin or VAS is a must, great sound, great value. I own four of them, never a problem. Consider buying used if you can do a pick up, for cash. |
There is only one I would buy new at that price - decware flagship - zen Torii mkiii. Amazing bang for the buck. Buying used I would look at CJ ca200 or Pass labs class A 30 watt integrated. I have a Simaudio i5.3SE I would sell for $2500 |
I've heard the SLi-80 and the Prologue II on those speakers . I much prefered the Primaluna over the Cary due to its better extension on the top .
Good luck |
What kind of power do you need? I've been enjoying the heck out of a Melody MK88 which is 32 watts of class A power. Truth be told, I think I prefer it to the Decware Torii mk3 I owned before it.
I did a write up on it in the review section here. |
I have a Rogue Tempest 3 and I love it. It sounds like it costs a lot more than 3k and as a bonus it is engineered AND built in the USA and Rogue customer service is second to none. |
Have had two Pathos integrateds for a few years now. I'm mono-blocking them with Sonus Faber Cremora M speakers and have been very happy with them. You wouldn't need two. I just prefer monoblocks. A very good integrated for the money, especially used. |
You can read about Decware product in TONEAudio. People who listen to SOTA systems have given the head nod to Decware. Haven't heard of Melody. I tend to trust components that have been heard by ears I trust. |
Agree with the Decware Zen Torii mkiii suggestion. Extremely well built with dual mono design and tube regulation. It has beautiful tone and real engaging presentation. |
What about Tri of japan TRV35SE, Jolida 801, and Prima Luna prologue? |
