Tube Integrated Help

Sean

Sean

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2013
Messages
958
Location
Texas
Hello All!

I am looking to jump back into the game with a very small and very budget-oriented setup in my bedroom. I am looking for a tube integrated that produces sound that is typical of valves (warm, organic, etc.) but won't come close to breaking the bank - does that exist (check out my budget below)?

A few items I am hoping to stick to:

- Under $1,000
- Headphone jack (not a deal-breaker, though)
- Smaller footprint (hoping to put this on/near my nightstand)
- Open to used equipment

A few things to keep in mind - I am hoping I can stay this cheap as it won't take much to improve what I am using now, which is an Amazon Echo to listen to music and podcasts at night. I figure a low powered integrated will be more than adequate to power some efficient bookshelves. I have been souring the boards here and the rest of the interwebs to get as educated as I can on (budget) tube amps. Here are a few that I have come across so far:

- Icon Audio MP 3 (From an UK-based company that sells on Music Direct; I don't know if they offer this model in the US so I might be out of luck)
- Jolida 1102/3502 (I read how Joe loved his 3502 before letting that go to his brother. Obviously, this hits above my budget)
- Icon 20 PP

Please let me know what additional info will help you help me. All advice is appreciated; thanks in advance!
 
Jolida is about as nice as it gets for a tube integrated under $1,000. However, IF you can find a used one OR up your budget to $1,500, the iFi Stereo 50 is an incredible value and unmatched in the $1,500 and under price category. For your application, it sounds perfect. I sold mine about a year ago and have regretted it since.

If you want to try something that doesn't have the glow but gives the sound of an entry-level tube integrated, check out the Dayens Ampino. An upgraded unit with Mundorf caps runs $672 new. I recommend this unit to most anyone who is looking for tube integrateds under the four figure mark.
 
So I would pull my cheap but decent HT surrounds for interim use - AAD M series bookshelf.

For down the road, I was looking at things like the Klipsch RP 150/160 and Martin Logan LX16. Again, primary restriction being keeping the budget down. I am open to suggestions for these, though, too.

CPP said:
PS Audio Sprout seems to get a lot of nice comments in the reviews
And the NAD 3020
Arcam A19

A tad over $1000 the Rogue Sphinx

What speakers you using
Click to expand...




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These both seem like great options that I need to look further into. Thanks!

DSkip said:
Jolida is about as nice as it gets for a tube integrated under $1,000. However, IF you can find a used one OR up your budget to $1,500, the iFi Stereo 50 is an incredible value and unmatched in the $1,500 and under price category. For your application, it sounds perfect. I sold mine about a year ago and have regretted it since.

If you want to try something that doesn't have the glow but gives the sound of an entry-level tube integrated, check out the Dayens Ampino. An upgraded unit with Mundorf caps runs $672 new. I recommend this unit to most anyone who is looking for tube integrateds under the four figure mark.
Click to expand...




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I know there's a Van Alstine Ultra Valve integrated used for $1100.00. I'm not sure what the going price is used on those normally. You can check hifishark

Just another option and Frank still answers the phone if you need support.
 
Thanks so much for the recommendation; I have tried looking around the net for the AVA Ultra Valve and can find a stereo power amp but not an integrated, am I overlooking it? Is it a discontinued model, by chance?

Mr Peabody said:
I know there's a Van Alstine Ultra Valve integrated used for $1100.00. I'm not sure what the going price is used on those normally. You can check hifishark

Just another option and Frank still answers the phone if you need support.
Click to expand...




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Hi Sean,

It’s great to see you again. There’s some good choices here.
 
Mr Peabody said:
I know there's a Van Alstine Ultra Valve integrated used for $1100.00. I'm not sure what the going price is used on those normally. You can check hifishark

Just another option and Frank still answers the phone if you need support.
Click to expand...

The Ultra Valve is not an integrated amp. It requires a preamp. I agree about the Jolida. People seem to like them.

Here are a couple of used options-

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/t...egrateds-eb2f4889-ffd8-4276-88e7-70f8ef6653f5

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tube-rogue-audio-sphinx-2-2018-01-20-integrateds
 
Sorry about that Sean, I sure thought it was integrated but it's been a while.

Sean said:
Thanks so much for the recommendation; I have tried looking around the net for the AVA Ultra Valve and can find a stereo power amp but not an integrated, am I overlooking it? Is it a discontinued model, by chance?






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Click to expand...
 
Joe, my friend, it’s great to be back. I see you have continued your awesome journey. I’m glad to see you are loving your new Mac’s.

joeinid said:
Hi Sean,

It’s great to see you again. There’s some good choices here.
Click to expand...




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Sean said:
Joe, my friend, it’s great to be back. I see you have continued your awesome journey. I’m glad to see you are loving your new Mac’s.






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Click to expand...
Thanks! I'd love to say I'm done but you never know with me :)

I absolutely loved my Jolida and so did my brother. He had to have it and took it home. I finally got the money out of him. Thank goodness.

If you are a headphone guy, my Linear Tube Audio MZ2 is insane. You can start small for about 1100-1200 but unless you have little super efficient speakers, it may not cut it.



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Sean said:
Hello All!

I am looking to jump back into the game with a very small and very budget-oriented setup in my bedroom. I am looking for a tube integrated that produces sound that is typical of valves (warm, organic, etc.) but won't come close to breaking the bank - does that exist (check out my budget below)?

A few items I am hoping to stick to:

- Under $1,000
- Headphone jack (not a deal-breaker, though)
- Smaller footprint (hoping to put this on/near my nightstand)
- Open to used equipment

A few things to keep in mind - I am hoping I can stay this cheap as it won't take much to improve what I am using now, which is an Amazon Echo to listen to music and podcasts at night. I figure a low powered integrated will be more than adequate to power some efficient bookshelves. I have been souring the boards here and the rest of the interwebs to get as educated as I can on (budget) tube amps. Here are a few that I have come across so far:

- Icon Audio MP 3 (From an UK-based company that sells on Music Direct; I don't know if they offer this model in the US so I might be out of luck)
- Jolida 1102/3502 (I read how Joe loved his 3502 before letting that go to his brother. Obviously, this hits above my budget)
- Icon 20 PP

Please let me know what additional info will help you help me. All advice is appreciated; thanks in advance!
Click to expand...


Sean, for music and podcasts, you might also consider the Dynaudio Music 7.
Looks good and produces very decent sound.
Just under 1K here.

https://www.dynaudio.com/home-audio/music/music-7


I know it's not a tube thingie (which I love by the way!), but it has a high wife acceptance factor and streams and has speakers on board (40 Hz - 20 kHz).
What more do you need in a bedroom?!
 
I will definitely have to check out Jolida.

I am thinking I am going to expand my budget a bit to get a decent tube integrated. Then down the road I’ll add speakers that mate well with it.

joeinid said:
Thanks! I'd love to say I'm done but you never know with me :)

I absolutely loved my Jolida and so did my brother. He had to have it and took it home. I finally got the money out of him. Thank goodness.

If you are a headphone guy, my Linear Tube Audio MZ2 is insane. You can start small for about 1100-1200 but unless you have little super efficient speakers, it may not cut it.



Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Thanks for a super practical solution to my difficult ask. Bluetooth speakers are so simple and produce good enough sound for various tasks, especially streaming; they’re hard to ignore. I just think I won’t be happy unless I go the tube route...so I guess I’ll have to open up my budget to be able to check all the right boxes.

bart said:
Sean, for music and podcasts, you might also consider the Dynaudio Music 7.
Looks good and produces very decent sound.
Just under 1K here.

https://www.dynaudio.com/home-audio/music/music-7


I know it's not a tube thingie (which I love by the way!), but it has a high wife acceptance factor and streams and has speakers on board (40 Hz - 20 kHz).
What more do you need in a bedroom?!
Click to expand...




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Sean,

I second Skip’s endorsement for the iFi Retro 50. The Swiss Army Knife of tube amps. I picked mine up on AudioKarma for around 1/2 off retail. I also have a Melody SP3 which cranks out around 40 wpc of pure tube goodness. You should be able to find a nice one for under $700. Happy hunting.
 
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