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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
raiderdave3275's avatar
raiderdave3275
21 posts
 

Aesthetix Mimas

dhite71
454 posts
 

Audio Research GSi75

I owned one for a couple years.  It has a stellar DAC and phonostage standard.  The output is not as strong as their REF 75 amp but with your speaker's sensitivity, it should be more than enough.  My Wilson Sophias needed the REF 75 to avoid the bass distorting on rock and roll at very high volumes in a large space.  They go for about $6000 now.  

cooperdude6
80 posts
 

I'm curious too. Has anyone experience with the 25WPC Made in America Quicksilver Audio Integrated? it's about $2,500 without the optional phono stage.

kbfeip
4 posts
 

Willsenton R800i has me so satisfied...

I've owned lots of tube amps (and still have several) including the Cayin AT88, and this Willsenton R300i is such an incredible amp for the money.   

Class A, weighing in at ~ 100 lbs and $2500 shipped from China through China Hifi it was a significant upgrade from my R8, which I refuse to sell...

https://youtu.be/bU6VmAildiY?si=bXFcjj05JRRCYPmT

allears4u
192 posts
 

My favorite is the Raven Nighthawk. This is my first tube integrated because price and simple fear kept me from taking the dive. Immediately introduced to a level of reproduction I'd never dared to consider owning. The auto bias takes one of the hurdles out of the way so the user need not be constantly adjusting the bias to run tubes at right voltage. My introduction included the real fun of switching tubes in and out to see which combo sounded best. (Sometimes when I want a different sounding amp I switch them around to transform sound texture) My biggest issue was I bought my speakers first then decided on my integrated. The reason this is an issue is the Klipsch Lascala II is rated at 105 db sensitivity. That's great but with New Old Stock tubes some can be a bit hummy. (Normal sensitivity like anything 95 and down would be perfect with any NOS) Which really bugs me until I decided to consistently keep swapping in NOS tubes that were on the quiet side. They were the better sounding ones anyway. A big plus is a dedicated sub out which relieves the amp of bass load. If you've never lived with a tube amp, the realism is mind bending compared to any SS unless one breaks the bank. Looks so cool too. Has that "mad scientist" vibe in the center of my listening experience. It says 20 watts per * ohms but obviously with my Lascalas its never lacking in any punch at any volume.Raven Audio Rocks

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