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Best Tube Amp for B&W Bookshelf

I own a pair of CDM1’s. A few years ago I heard a tube amp at a trade show. I think it was a Manley Stingray. It sounded amazing. Would this be a good choice for my B&W’s?

Or or does anyone have a better choice? My budget is about $3500.

I listen to mostly female vocal singer-songwriter folk/pop, jazz and classical. Clean warm vocals and sweet acoustic guitars that sparkle are what I liked about the tubes I heard at the trade show.

The souce was SACD. I think it was Alison Krauss Patricia Barber or Holy Cole. On another SACD I think I also heard an acoustic finger plucked piece by Lindsay Buckingham/Fleetwood Mac ’ Never Going Back Again".

Both cuts were truly memorable and made an impression as to the beauty of tubes. I have Crown Reference II solid state amps currently in my system.

This will be my first tube amp. My head end is Emm Labs -- DAC, transport, and pre. Please can you give me advice for integratedes and/or mono blocks in the $3500 range? I realize this is not much of a budget for quality tube amps ... I just need some pointing in the right direction based on experience and with possibly the same musical tastes. Thank you.
rocketroom
mzkmxcv
777 posts
 
@schubert

Not even remotely true. A $3000 vs $1000 speaker is much more of a difference than a $3000 vs $1000 amp. 
 
Find a single reputable person who advocates spending more on an amp vs speakers. Rule of thumb is at least 50% of your total system cost should go to the speakers.
clearthink
1,421 posts
 
mzkmxc"Not even remotely true. A $3000 vs $1000 speaker is much more of a difference than a $3000 vs $1000 amp."

That would depend on the specific, exact, particular components that comprise the equation and it is for that reason that your argument, claim, and pronouncement is invalid, inaccurate, and erroneous.
big_greg
6,821 posts
 
I agree that it's usually better to put more of your budget into speakers, but if you have the money and want to try tubes, there are a number of good integrateds out there in your budget range - Primaluna, Rogue Audio, used ARC, etc.  My first (and fairly recent) experience with tubes in my home was an Audio Research Vsi55.  It's currently driving my Klipsch Heresy speakers, but has sounded great with everything I've paired it with.  I prefer the less "colored, syrupy" or however you want to describe sound of tubes and the ARC sound is pretty neutral.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
I've proved it dozens of times to others and myself .Differences of money
 as a ruler itself makes no sense ,
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,418 posts
 
^^ This. What is important is if the equipment sounds right, not its expense.
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