[Rfaul]

So I am pretty set on using Tube amps, But I wanna ask what are your opinions on the tube amps available in a budget situation say < $3500 either mono or stereo.  I am leaning towards mono but am open to Stereo.  I've been looking into tubes4hifi DIY setups as I am not afraid of a smoldering iron  obviously I would upgrade any small parts to the best components I can afford.  I myself love the mechanical looks of a tube amp. I plan on adding a nice wood housing to the unit honestly not a fan of chrome or the shiny stainless.  these amps in the picture are kinda my inspiration for the look I am thinking.  I may re-post this once I become a full member,  or copy to an appropriate section on this forum.

[opnly bafld]

Using current speakers or buying speakers for a tube amplifier?
What speakers?
Your picture looks like push pull, are you planning to go with power or more simple signal path/low power like single ended?

[billynine]

I've owned a few different tube amps over the years. I have always loved them, but generally sell them because of tube rolling madness, I want less sensitive speakers or maintenance issues. I will own a tube amp again, but not without having a trusty SS amp in service.

I am also interested in the dynakits and another kit manufacturer that I have considered is Elekit. VKMusic is a good source of information on these kits. Good luck

[FullRangeMan]

I will move this topic to the tube amp Circle where it belongs.

[nlitworld]

I have a couple Tubes4HiFi pieces in my system now, and parts for a ST35 amp soon to be built. Their kits are a very good value in stock form and really lend themselves to upgrades in parts quality and esthetics. When I built my PH16 phono stage, I upgraded the signal path caps, power supply caps, NOS tubes, rca plugs, iec inlet, installed a SUT on board, and upgraded all the wiring over their standard kit. The sound quality is tremendous. Last piece of the upgrade will be a choke filter in the power supply and top mounting the power transformer away from the sensitive components. Point being, the circuit design and the core idea of their items are very well thought out. Go all out on some parts upgrades in the right spots (caps, hook up wire and rca plugs) and you'll be a very happy camper and have a fun project on your hands.

-Lloyd

[Rfaul]

 Well I will try to answer what I can,  as far as speaker type I don't have one picked out yet, though I do love the things I am seeing from Danny @ GR research...!!!

and to opnly bafld Dynaco amps are push pull the picture I posted is a random picture I found online but they are just a modified version of the MK III mono blocks from Dynaco.  Tubes4hifi has a set of DIY Mono's (M-125's) listed for $2100 without tubes, though I wouldn't need 125 watts for a good high Db speaker I guess it's better to have the power and not need it and not have it, I can always turn the gains down.

Thanks to FullRangeMan for moving me up in the world.   

[opnly bafld]

and to opnly bafld Dynaco amps are push pull the picture I posted is a random picture I found online but they are just a modified version of the MK III mono blocks from Dynaco.  Tubes4hifi has a set of DIY Mono's (M-125's) listed for $2100 without tubes, though I wouldn't need 125 watts for a good high Db speaker I guess it's better to have the power and not need it and not have it, I can always turn the gains down.

FWIW One person's opinion, but when it comes to push pull parallel (4 output tubes/ch) I would just rather have a good solid state amplifier.
Every PPP tube amp I have heard sounds like solid state to me, more circuitry/complexity is something I try to avoid with tube amplifiers.

[Rfaul]

 Well that's why I am looking at options,  Like I said I really don't need the M-125's if I am going with a speaker with a good response. something smaller would be fine. I've owned Dynaco's in the past and feel they are pretty good for the price you can get them for both new and used.  not wanting to bad mouth McIntosh but I just don't see a big difference in sound with them to justify the price they seem to be getting for even the older stuff that obviously needs repairs or at a minimum re-capping.  honestly I've heard the Dayton HTA100 and for $250 it's a pretty good amp.  But I am trying to get away from the Hybrd amps, I will be building a tube pre-amp to pair with whatever I decide to use.

[opnly bafld]

If you can prioritize sound over wood there is a pair of Williamson KT66 mono amps by a very good/experienced builder available on another forum.
22 watts less than 1% THD Ultralinear.
Can't add a picture, they are black metal.

There are a number of good custom builders that will trim with wood, just need to know where to look to find them.

[Rfaul]

If you can prioritize sound over wood there is a pair of Williamson KT66 mono amps by a very good/experienced builder available on another forum.
22 watts less than 1% THD Ultralinear.
Can't add a picture, they are black metal.

There are a number of good custom builders that will trim with wood, just need to know where to look to find them.

I know the amps and agree they have pretty good specs,  as far as the looks of them I am not worried I can mod them up with no problems. I have several years of fabrication under my collar.