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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
bgross's avatar
bgross
530 posts
 

Original Audio Note Meishu Line (non-Tonemaster) is an all-time favorite - really an exceptional component and is 300b excellence. They sell for $5-$6K super rare. GL with this one.

Audiomat Opera Reference. French small batch hand made EL-34 based integrated. Audiomat amps sound like no other as they have a weight and low-end definition that I've never experienced before. I use an Audiomat Solfege Reference (6550) amp today at our vacation house and its special; 40 watts x 2 100% Class A magic.

Margules i-240 is another EL34 baed amp from Mexico that I've heard and will be next up for me but to be used with more efficient speakers. Just a beautiful amp in every way.

There are more but these are all real-world priced albeit not easy to get your hands on. Worth the hunt though. Just my experience.

bkpinder
4 posts
 

Hi

If you can get one, a David Berning ZH-270 would be very hard to beat for the money and although not new any more they are ultra reliable.

tlea
2 posts
 

A few years ago I decided to try my first tube amp after 40+ years as a SS guy. I wanted to keep it simple for the first dip, so I went with an integrated. After test driving a few, I wound up with Ayon Spirit III. I am hooked. It sounds great with my speakers, Silverline Sonata II. Speakers are claimed by mfg as 8 ohm, and 93 dB sensitivity, so they are an easy load. Amp is switchable from pentode to triode, and I mostly run it in triode (45 wpc).  Tube complement is 4x KT150 + 2x 5814 + 4x 5693 RCA Reds.

I auditioned several tube integrateds in the price range, not all in my system, including Rogue Cronus Magnum and the older Tempest II, Primaluna, Line Magnetic, and ARC.  VTL was on my list, but I couldn't find one to try out.

I'm very pleased with the Ayon Spirit III and recommend it highly.

mr_gray
188 posts
 

audio note UK Meishu, Jinro, Tomei and Ongaku.

all brilliant integrated amplifiers.  Meishu is 300b.  The others are 211 based.  I use the Ongaku with JBL 4367 speakers.  Brilliant!

grinnell
1,186 posts
 

Decware Mini Torii. 4 watts of dual mono fun.  1940's Brimar 6v6G ST tubes.  Plenty loud with some Ref 3A de Capos

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