Tube integrated with real bass. Does it exist?


Let's assume it will drive two way speakers with 1" tweeter and 8" woofer, 89db 8ohm. Any price level. No hybrids invited.
I personally haven't heard of one.
inna

Showing 8 responses by inna

So something does exist. That's good. Modwright is mentioned quite often on this forum. They must be doing good things.
Two inputs are just enough - one for phono and one for deck. You can run digital through deck monitor if you have to have it.
8 Watts and great bass with the right speakers? That's incredible. Air Tight and VAC are on the very top, as I understand. Lamm doesn't have integrated, Vladimir Shushirin just doen't accept the concept, I guess. But I bet his integrated would be a success.
Anyway, the other day I was listening to my modest set-up, and everything sounded quite well. In fact, everything sounded wrong. And the cause is quite clear to me - it is solid state. Tubes all the way for the future serious upgrades.
I have never read of Jadis having great bass. Have I read wrong things or they improved in this area?
Some used to call Aronov amps Jadis with bass.
Trelja, I see. So some Jadis are up there too. I heard that Jadis has a cult following, like VAC or Lamm.
Many high end European companies are having problems in North America, many are not even represented. That's unfortunate.
Mr_m, I don't think that I have such a problem. I initiated this discussion not because I am about to upgrade or even that when I do upgrade I will only go with all tube design. I am interested in what other people think and their experiences with tube integrateds. I see this forum mostly as an opportunity for communication not as free consulting service.
My possible "problem" with hybrids might be that I believe that to truly experience tube sound you need tube power amp or tube integrated.
Many suggestions.
I asked about only one aspect of performance, but of course there are many others. If an amp or any other piece in the chain doesn't do rhythm and dynamics well I don't listen further, no matter how otherwise glorious the sound might be. I equally dislike sleepy and hectic sound. This just has to be right. And any good tube amp will do certain things well, so I wouldn't worry about it much, though some will do them better than the others.
I took a look at the websites of the companies mentioned here. If I was ready for an upgrade now, wanted to keep my new amp for ten years or longer and had no opportunity to audition any of them, I would take a guess and get VAC Sigma, $5000 used. NOS tubes would be next upgrade. In any case, I'd rather wait two/three more years and get a great piece.
Jadis looks like Cartier, a royalty. Question is can it rock and do jazz/rock fusion? Or is it fast enough to follow McLaughlin's guitar? Or able to reproduce the raw energy and at the same time sophistication of El Camaron's flamenco singing? I would have similar reservations about Italian amps. German equipment I have no idea of, never thought of actually. Air Tight looks very esoteric, very elite, with some music would probably be the best. As I understand, Rogue is a great bargain, but as any bargain it most likely can't compete above certain level. Talking used pieces, $1500 for Rogue vs $5000 for VAC, $3500 difference for ten years? There is no difference, if you wait a little longer.
German Octave did catch my attention too, not sure why. In reality, if you want to do it right you have to audition them all in your system, of course. And of course it is not very realistic unless you are prepared to buy them all one by one and then sell them all but one.