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Need Help: Integrated 'Tube' Amplifier for Arros

After numerous purchases, hours spent agonizing and trying to decide on that 'perfect' setup, I decided to take a step back and decide what is really important to me--the music.

I've owned five different speaker setups ranging from $1500 to $15,000. I asked myself a very simple question. What setup gave me maximum musical enjoyment? Not material pleasure or the conceited material idealization of certain products. But instead actual contentment in my current spatial and financial situation.

So I am going back to a system built around Totem Acoustic Arros. When I owned them I was content, happy and had no desire to upgrade for a long time (at least until I finished school). I had to sell them for personal reasons but I now have the resources to build a system that will be the cornerstone of my living room for the next 4-5 years.

I need help for the amplifier. My criteria is as follows...

Must be integrated
Must be tube
Minimalist design: source, volume and balance controls

Prefer it with, but not necessary...

Remote
Headphone jack
Phono stage

I bet all you guys are saying, "EASY, I can name 20 amps off the top of my head that fit that criteria". Well not so fast, here is the biggest thing of them all...

It has to be MADE IN NORTH AMERICA OR EUROPE

No Chinese please!
baroque_lover
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,850 posts
 
Rogue is a good value recommendation.

How about Prima Luna?
markphd
667 posts
 
The Chinese can build nuclear weapons and put humans in space. I'm sure they know how to build an amp.

There are some Chinese amps with parts made in the U.S.A. Are these excluded from your list?

There are North American and European amps with parts made in China. Are these excluded from your list?

There are some western companies owned by Chinese. Are these excluded from your list?

There are some western products assembled by people of Chinese ancestry. Are these excluded from your list?
pehare's avatar
pehare
830 posts
 
i'd pick the one that best matches the 4ohm load of the Arros. I have owned the following tube integrateds...ARC VSi55, Rogue Cronus, Cary sli-80 & demoed a MAC 6900 in my system....the ARC & Rogue seemed to have the most power but IMO none of them sounds nearly as good as the SLI-80. are tubes really the best match given the specs of the Arros?

i'm with you on the chinese thing....no explanation req'd my friend....
ethanh
48 posts
 
I own Arros and run them with a 35 watt tube integrated. I would definitely get something with more power if I were you, and pay attention to the amp's ability to drive 4 ohm speakers as others have mentioned.

Actually, if I planned on keeping my Arros for a few more years I'd probably upgrade to something like a Plinius 9200 or Unico, as I've noticed the Arros really benefit from some extra power and an amp that increases output into lower impedances.
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