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Getting into tubes

I'm thinking about getting my first tube integrated amp and been reading all I can about them. I've narrowed my list of manufacturers down to four: Raven Audio (Blackhawk/Osprey), Primaluna (Dialogue Premium), Ars Sonum Filarmonia and Decware (Zen Mystery Amp). All have their pros and cons. First, a bit about my system:

Merlin TSM Black Magic Edition
Sunfire True Sub Mk2 (and oldie but still runs well)
MSB Analog Dac 
Macbook Air streaming Tidal through Audirvana
Spectral SDR-3000SL running into the MSB

Room is small, about 10 X 11. I listen to jazz ( mostly trio's and female vocals) and some classic rock. 

My laundry list for what I'm looking for in a tube amp is as follows:

1. Obviously they have to sound great. From what I've been reading, seems like all these amps all sound fantastic to various individuals that have used them. 
2. Ease of use: self biasing tubes. Don't want the fuss of having to bias the tubes myself. I know that with the Decware ZMA, you have to bias yourself but it appears to be a simple process.
3. Overall build of the unit. Each of the manufacturers all look to have excellent build qualities. I've seen pictures of the insides of all units. Looks like the Primaluna is built like a beast on the inside. Also the ZMA is all point to point, no circuit boards of any type. That's a big plus.
4. Remote control: now this is a semi big one for me. I do a lot of late night listening and am constantly changing the volume. Raven Audio and Primaluna checks this box off but the Filharmonia and ZMA doesn't. However I have a DAC (MSB Analog) that has a volume control built in that I believe may work?
5. Subwoofer output. It would be nice to have a dedicated sub out for ease of connecting the sub. I know that there is the option to connect the sub through the speaker level inputs, but I have read its difficult to do that with the Filarmonia and ZMA if the spades are too thick. 
6. Reliability and after care service.

For those that have experience with any of these amps, any advice would be greatly appreciated! I've been going back and forth trying to decide. Thanks!
jzzmn88
lancelock
1,085 posts
 
I have auditioned the Primaluna and owned the ZMA for a few years. The ZMA in my opinion sounds better than the Primaluna and they don’t get any sturdier or better built than the ZMA, maybe that’s why they have a life time warranty. The bias adjustment design is brilliant and easy to use.

my love for the ZMA ended when I heard a David Berning designed Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40. It made the ZMA sound broken when used with electrostats. I now own a preproduction ZOTL UltraLinear and it surpasses the ZOTL40. 
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,464 posts
 
Check out this Rogue Audio integrated. It is not self biasing but manual biasing is not a deal. It is made in USA and has great customer support!
https://www.needledoctor.com/Rogue-Audio-Cronus-Magnum-II-Integrated-Amp
linnlingo
173 posts
 
I would look at the Rogers 65V-1. Excellent integrated w/a lifetime warranty. Self biasing and can use either EL-34 or KT-88 tubes. When you order you tell them what tube you want. When Roger was at my dealers store he said if there is a problem w/the integrated he will have the unit turned around within 24 hours after delivery. Heard the unit w/Harbeth speakers and an Acoustic Signature TT. If you want to add a sub go w/a REL just connect to the speaker terminals on the integrated. Also they burn in the amp for 100 hrs before sending to the customer.
jond's avatar
jond
5,660 posts
 
I could be wrong but wasn't the Ars Sonum Filarmonia designed to go with Merlin speakers? I feel like I read there is some sort of connection though I could be mis-remembering.

jzzmn88 OP
58 posts
 
Thanks for the responses!

@kalali Great point and one I've thought about. I've tried to experiment without using any remote, not as much of a pain as I thought it would be, but still would be nice to have the option of the remote.

@lancelock Looked at the LTA website and am impressed! How does the ZOTL Ultralinear compare with the Berning ZH-230? I've heard the Berning mates very well with the Merlins.

@yogiboy Thank you for the recommendation. I've looked into Rogue Audio before. The CM2 looks like a solid tube amp, but always wondered why there are so many of them on the used market? In any case, its one to consider given the price point.

@linnlingo The Rogers amps look really well built and I'm sure they sound amazing. The only downside is the price. Much more than I am thinking of spending. Thank you for the recommendation though.

@jond You are correct, the Filarmonia and Merlin are very synergistic, or so I've been told. Two strikes against it....lack of remote and I've heard its difficult to connect a sub to the Cardas binding posts (connecting two sets of wires to the post). But its still in the running for consideration!

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