Compact Low-Powered Amp Recomendations?


Can anyone recommend a compact amp to use with small full-range speakers? I only need ~10 watts (office system). I would prefer a used tube amp (one that does not generate a lot of heat) for less than $400. Doable? Thanks!
steveh_houston
Steve,

The Trends is a near no-brainer at $150 brand new. You can resell it at 50% of list if you don't like it and only lose $75!

I have the Red Wine Audio Reali-T and it is really good. It is a 6 w/channel integrated amp with a Scott Nixon DacKit built in. It's a really flexible unit and it sounds great! The Red Wine Audio Clari-T is basically the same thing without the built-in DAC. I've seen Clari-Ts sell for well under $500. It's pretty spankin' good and it's battery powered! But, it's automatic charging system makes it work just like any other amp.

Enjoy,

TIC
BTW, If I were looking for the ultimate cool office system, I would have to look at one of these:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1194920311

It's an all-in-one CD Player, tube amp, tube pre-amp and tuner in one cool package. Gotta love the hidden volume control and selector knobs built into the top of the front post. How cool is that?!!!!

Oh, and you can even stick you iPod onto it!!!!

Enjoy,

TIC
Reubent,

Thanks! The TA 10.1 definately sounds like a no brainer. I'm a little concerned about having to keep an eye out on the DC offset. So many choices....

Steve
Steve,

I don't own the TA10.1, but I have a friend who owns it and he says it is very good. He modified his a bit as was suggested on some web forum. Anyway, his system is one of the best I've ever heard, so I trust that when he says it's good, it's good!

I can also tell you that the Red Wine Audio Clari-T or Reali-T are very good, but more expensive than the TA10.1. I just got a new CD player and honestly I'm shocked at how good the Reali-T (Clari-T amp, plus DAC which I'm not using) now sounds driving my DIY Hemp Acoustics single driver speakers.

Enjoy the hunt.

TIC