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Name your favorite Integrated Tube Amplifier & why?

ASK:

If interested, and something comes to mind - Please feel free to reply and name your favorite Integrated Tube amplifier & why? 

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Thought it might be fun to post the question to Agon members. Maybe the one I missed comes to mind for you. I'm a former owner of a modded Cary SLI-80 Signature too, might need just a little more current/grunt this next time around  :) 

Yes, I DID carefully look over many prior threads and felt it necessary to post a new thread. Nothing stated moved the needle much for me, so trying a new post in 2026.

Speakers:

  • 92.5db sensitivity, 4ohm imp, dual 8" nomex woofer drivers, with air motion transformer tweeter/midrange

Background:

Regretfully I'm considering the journey of selling and collapsing two full sets of my last favorite separates systems (preamps, and amps) back to a single integrated amplifier for space, consolidation, room changes.   

Thanks in advance for your consideration and replies.  Happy New Years yes

 

 

 

decooney
sandrodg73
161 posts
 

Octave V70SE 

My 1st tube experience so my opinion probably doesn't mean much, but I very rearly use my solid state amp any more because even though is about 1/3 of the power, the bass and dynamics sure don't suffer any and everything is much better. 

inna
8,240 posts
 

Right. Transistors can be no worse than tubes, digital can be no worse than analogue, and Miles Davis is nothing special.

Accuphase, especially Class A, are excellent amps, but they cannot compete with tubes done as they should be done. Tubes are superior devices, why is it so difficult for some to accept it ?

njkrebs
46 posts
 

I run an Octave V80SE A/B push-pull integrated with the super black box. It has a single 12AU7 preamp input tube and two 12AT7 power amp driver tubes. I use NOS Amperex tubes in these positions matched with a quad of KT120 power tubes. The super black box is a high capacitance external power supply that adds a lot to the performance of the amp. Overall, it’s an effortless amp that provides a balanced highs, liquid midrange, and perfect control of the speaker drivers. It has a selection switch that enables a wide range of power tubes from EL34s to KT150s depending on impedance load of speakers. Couldn’t recommend it more! It was a Stereophile class A recommendation shortly after it was introduced. It’s driving QLN Prestige 5s and upstream is a Rega NAIA with a Hana Red and Modwright reference tube phonostage. 

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