Best Tube Integrated

sheltie1 said:
Take a listen to the Line Magnetic 508ia.....great match with the X's. ( I know you said that you prefer push-pull, but this SET is really quite incredible on the bottom end).

And you may be surprised at what a Cary SLI80 (with all their factory upgrades) can do with the X's. (and it looks like CaryDirect is having a 25% off sale currently)
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Thanks - funny you mention LM Audio as I have made an appt to hear the 501 integrated in a few weeks - I don't think its really going to be my cup of tea, but at least I can hear it on my Xs.

I've owned both Tri (845SE) and Cary (V12) amps and they are too warm for me. I must say Cary's SLP98 preamp is one of my all time favs- just so damn musical and I have owned it 2x.

Vac and Octave recommendations seem more my style (if anyone has heard both, I'd love to read about the differences). I'm also entertaining Jadis as their recent amps are not as old school tube sound.
 
Bachtoven said:
If you want to save about $7k, then buy a Primaluna Premium Dialogue HP!
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Totally agree. With new nos Mullards in the front & KT 150's for the drivers, was a huge surprise for me when I had one.
 
very happy with my jadis da50 - but with 32 kg it takes some time to warm up (2 hours for best sound)...
 
Not so bad , my Ayon Crossfire is over 45 kg monster.
If somebody wants a SET , it' s a serious contender for best tube integrated.
 
KeithR said:
Thanks - funny you mention LM Audio as I have made an appt to hear the 501 integrated in a few weeks - I don't think its really going to be my cup of tea, but at least I can hear it on my Xs.

I've owned both Tri (845SE) and Cary (V12) amps and they are too warm for me. I must say Cary's SLP98 preamp is one of my all time favs- just so damn musical and I have owned it 2x.

Vac and Octave recommendations seem more my style (if anyone has heard both, I'd love to read about the differences). I'm also entertaining Jadis as their recent amps are not as old school tube sound.
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Be sure and take a listen to the 508 when you go to hear the 501.
 
My favorite tube gear is Octave Audio. The only model integrated I heard was the one selling around $4500 without the power supply upgrade. Just basic like that it was able to drive Dynaudio C2's. OA with it's transparency and control blows tube stereotypes away, yet it has that tube presence or 3D image to the presentation.

If I ever had doubts I'd compare the Octave to Jadis and Raven, both was sounding good at Axpona. Not sure if separates, Raven displayed some amazing sound with the Legacy V.

Despite the technology though, Octave just seems to do everything right to my ears.
 
Yes, Paul I've narrowed the field:

Vac Sigma SE
Octave V80se
Jadis I50
LM Audio 501a

I have a strong lean to Jadis at this point with Vac coming in second. As mentioned before, I have an LM Audio demo coming up at my Devore dealer which will be good, generally speaking, to hear a "warm" KT-120 integrated on my speakers.
 
I'd like to second both LMA or Octave, yet I can't speak on whether or not they've remotes?, but as someone whom had owned a pair of DeVore Fidelity Gibbon 3s, and having heard nearly all of his designs ( John ) it seems they like to be matched with a amp with a somewhat lush signature ( here I'm talking Shindo Labs ), yet can just as easily be paired with something harder hitting dynamically speaking, provided it doesn't have to much of a solid state signature.
 
KeithR said:
Yes, Paul I've narrowed the field:

Vac Sigma SE
Octave V80se
Jadis I50
LM Audio 501a

I have a strong lean to Jadis at this point with Vac coming in second. As mentioned before, I have an LM Audio demo coming up at my Devore dealer which will be good, generally speaking, to hear a "warm" KT-120 integrated on my speakers.
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When I had the Octave the KT120 was never what I considered warm. Just the opposite IMO
 
Hi Keith, just curious your thoughts on the Octave, why it didn't fair better and what was it driving? I wouldn't say Octave is opposite of warm but it's definitely not the stereotype, warm lush type of tube gear. If it is warm lush you are looking for Jadis may not be your thing either.

We all like what we like, I just enjoy hearing other people's opinions on stuff I've heard. Thanks
 
Kt77 said:
I'd like to second both LMA or Octave, yet I can't speak on whether or not they've remotes?, but as someone whom had owned a pair of DeVore Fidelity Gibbon 3s, and having heard nearly all of his designs ( John ) it seems they like to be matched with a amp with a somewhat lush signature ( here I'm talking Shindo Labs ), yet can just as easily be paired with something harder hitting dynamically speaking, provided it doesn't have to much of a solid state signature.
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If you are asking if LMA gear has remote controls, then the answer is yes.....the integrateds do have remotes.
 
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