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Integrated amp for tube lover

Downsizing and looking for an integrated amp of 100 or more watts/ channel that will satisfy a tube lover. Not many tube integrated amps fit that power requirement, but open to tube or solid state. Considering Krell K300i, CODA CSiB, Boulder 866 (doubt that it is "tube-like" enough), and Gryphon Diablo 300 (more expensive than I’d like). Can use separate phono and/or DAC. Thoughts on these or others?

hedwigstheme
ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,413 posts
 


I know you said 100wpc. But I would seriously look at the Audio Research I/70. I have heard the I/50 power with a number of speakers and it is simply beautiful sounding and way more powerful than you would think.. The I/70 is going to be released this month and has more power and autobiasing and is said to sound incredibly musical like the I/50. I use my Ref 160 in triode mode… so 70wpc and can play at ungodly volumes without compression or loss of dynamics. 

also:

Cary SLI 100


Primeluna Eco 100

MacIntosh MA 252

 

 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,852 posts
 

Pass Labs Int-250 is another contender 

ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,413 posts
 

@audphile1 

+1… and the Pass Inc’s have much better rhythm and pace than they used to. Not tube levels… but pretty good.

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waltersalas's avatar
waltersalas
969 posts
 

I searched for the "perfect" integrated amp for three years and tried many, including some of those mentioned in this thread. The Synthesis A100 was by far my favorite and it also has an excellent DAC. I just changed speakers and may be switching to its little brother, the less powerful A40, which appears to be a better match for my new speakers since they do not require anywhere near that level of power. But the A100 fits your description perfectly.

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