@oside
If I had 101db sensitivity Chorus speakers, a very "low noise" separate preamp and and amp would likely be one approach, keeping power supplies separate. A super high quality (low noise) integrated could be ultra expensive if cost is a first consideration. However, Mike at QS offers a nice little low watt integrated though, great value, works with horn speakers pretty well. No imbedded headphone amp as per your request. Sounds nice, tubes are not costly on this one, run it for long time.
If you want to go triode, that’s a whole league of its own, and there are all kinds of options - advice from all directions from around the world. Kinda depends if you just like to turn on music and let it play, or are you a super critical listener focusing on every aspect and detail of the music. Triode with horns can be amazing, and prepare to explore all kinds of different tubes, another journey in itself. A starter amp like a Class A Audio Note OTO SE pentode could be nice too, if you want to explore other low watt integrated amps with high efficiency speakers. From there, it goes up in price with incremental benefits. Good Luck.
If I had 101db sensitivity Chorus speakers, a very "low noise" separate preamp and and amp would likely be one approach, keeping power supplies separate. A super high quality (low noise) integrated could be ultra expensive if cost is a first consideration. However, Mike at QS offers a nice little low watt integrated though, great value, works with horn speakers pretty well. No imbedded headphone amp as per your request. Sounds nice, tubes are not costly on this one, run it for long time.
If you want to go triode, that’s a whole league of its own, and there are all kinds of options - advice from all directions from around the world. Kinda depends if you just like to turn on music and let it play, or are you a super critical listener focusing on every aspect and detail of the music. Triode with horns can be amazing, and prepare to explore all kinds of different tubes, another journey in itself. A starter amp like a Class A Audio Note OTO SE pentode could be nice too, if you want to explore other low watt integrated amps with high efficiency speakers. From there, it goes up in price with incremental benefits. Good Luck.