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Can someone suggest a lush tube integrated under $3000 used

My main system it’s solid state preamp and amp. I’ll through in a tube preamp on occasions. Somedays I just miss the lush involving syrupy tube sound with small jazz and blues recordings. I know highs may be rolled off,  not a lot of slam but can be so involving you lose track of time. This amp will be matched with some Joseph Audio first gen Pulsar, LSA 2 statement tower with ribbon tweeter and some Tiny Dancers. 

I’ve heard good things of the Cary, Ayon, maybe an old Conrad Johnson cav 50, I just don’t have much experience with integrated amps. My speakers aren’t the most efficient. 


paulcreed
musicmann1
96 posts
 
Lot’s of good recommendations above. Another one to consider is the BLACK ICE F35, with KT 150’s. The amp is very flexible ( can safely use, EL 34, KT 88, 120, 150, and the new KT 170’s....also 6550’s).
My unit has the KT 150,s. It’s definitely not “ Syrupy” sounding.....Smooth, liquid, with very good dynamic contrasts and “punchy” and impactful bass. Approximately 75 watts Per Channel at 8 Ohms.

Cheers......
upscaleaudio's avatar
upscaleaudio
259 posts
 

Looks like he bought an amp. That's great.  I do want to mention if you have vintage tubes you want to use, you may not have matched pairs for BIAS not transconductance.  You can't match them on most old testers. If that's the case, make sure the amp has a bias adjustment for each tube.  The Cary SLI-80 Sig has a bias adjustment for each pair, so you need matched pairs. 

A cathode-bias amp can reduce tube life since they run in class a.  See if you can find out how much plate voltage and how they bias the amp. It's hard to find out but ask around if you have tubes you treasure.  

phantom_av's avatar
phantom_av
329 posts
 

I always end up getting bored of Lush sounding gear, at first its all sweet and dandy.

jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,926 posts
 

I always end up getting bored of Lush sounding gear, at first its all sweet and dandy.

true if the sound is lush without resolving power, but there are (usually higher end) excellent sounding options that provides both

joekapahulu
270 posts
 

I would agree on the CJ Cav models. I used a 45 for awhile and it was quite nice with the same kind of music you reference on my 2nd set of speakers, Kef R3s. It was not as good on my primary Ohm Walsh 2s which are more demanding. Still do think about going to separates from CJ...just not in my retiree price range new and I prefer new due to warranty.

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