Best Tube Amp under 5K

conrad 12s , sonic frontier 3s, bat all these will make you happy.

Please don't misundertand how I mean this post, but with 5K to spend wouldn't it perhaps be better to get a different preamp rather than the ACT-3. I understand the ACT-3 to be very good for a pre-pro but not quite the sonic match for a 5K tube amp. Just a thought, good luck either way. Mike.

A pair of used Conrad-Johnson Premier 12 mono blocks might be nice. I really like the sound of my CJ Premier 11a. I also recently picked up a used Audio Research VT100MKII. It's a fine sounding amp with good bass authority and over all more neutral sounding than the CJ - which isn't a good or a bad thing. It's a matter of taste. The CJ is a bit sweeter without being too sappy. I kind of like it.

Upscaleaudio is right.
The ARC amp requires closely matched tubes and you have to remove the lid and use a digital voltmeter to set the bias correctly. The CJ Premier amps on the other hand are open chassis designs and bias is independently adjustable for each tube using a built-in LED indicator for each adjustment. It's a more forgiving design and also easier if you enjoy "tube rolling".

Here's me screwing around with the ARC VT100MKII earlier today. I just retubed it replaceing all 16 tubes. Ouch!

http://mycollins.net/audio/vtcj4.html

CJ PREMIER 5's,these are monoblocs using EL34's,amp's are no longer in production,but regardless are wonderfull.having own the CJ11a,12's,ARC vt100 which are all fine amp's,i prefer the sound of the CJ premier 5's.these amp's are difficult to find on the used market,but they are well worth the effort.these amp's hold their own with amp's costing 2 to 3 times their price.RETAIL price when in production $7500 good luck in your search. JOSE M