[Andrew JC]

I would like to try a tube piece of gear either to integrate with my current system or as a second system. I currently have an NAD V2 integrated amp and Wharfedale Linton speakers. If I did a tube amp which I would put into the system occasionally I was thinking of a Dynaco ST35. I listen mainly at night and at lower volumes. As for sources I listen to vinyl and stream.

Another approach I was thinking was a tube pre amp like a used Rogue Audio RP1 (Good built in phono preamp) and find a solid-state amp.
Also on the list is a Rogue Audio Sphinx v3. Open to an AVA piece of gear. Black ICE audio is within driving distance.

I’m also not opposed to vintage, I have at least 3 audio repair shops near me. I have a soft spot for H.H. Scott gear I was thinking a 299C would fit the bill.
My budget is limited so I need to choose carefully.  Thanks for your help!

[FullRangeMan]

If you have a hi efficiency speaker as 100dB and benign 8 ohms speaker you can use a inexpensive small SET tube amp as 45/2A3 or Decware Rachel el34 6W. PushPull amps are a second place.

Check this independent site for high efficiency speakers and small tube amps;
http://www.glowinthedarkaudio.com/amps.html

EDITED.

[Tyson]

Great starter amp is this modern update to the classic Dynaco ST70:

https://www.tubes4hifi.com/amps.htm#ST70

[nlitworld]

I second the tubes4hifi idea especially if you're handy with a soldering iron. ST35 or ST70 would be a great option if jumping straight into a tube power amp. The ST70 especially if your speakers like a little kick in the side to get moving. Most people dip their toes with tube preamps, but if you want to really find out what's going on just jump on in. I have their SP9 preamp with some upgrades and a wonderful PH16 phono stage with the full works treatment. Very good $$ to ratio. I have also slowly been aquiring parts for their ST35 that'll also be pretty maxed out. That'll be a fun summer project and expecting a very big improvement over my Jolida.

[Delta77]

Here is a few of the ones I've been longing after..!!

My next tube preamp should be an Aric Audio
https://aricaudio.com/

Decware's wait list is too long but maybe could find a used one (life time warranty)
https://www.decwareproducts.com/

https://www.mapletreeaudio.com/index.html

https://www.erhard-audio.com/

https://sites.google.com/view/pine-tree-audio/devices/model-82-vacuum-tube-preamplifier

https://mellowtoneamps.ca/

[rotarius]

And what is the limited budget?  <1.5K?

[FullRangeMan]

Wright Audio have an odd EL34 SET integrated at $1895 for those that own hi sensitivity speakers.
https://wrightaudioarts.com/royale_SE6_integrated_amplifier.htm
*  All point - to - point wiring.  Non-obsolescent construction.  No circuit boards for possible ease of installation of upgrades or repairs.

[Andrew JC]

Thank you all for your input! I definitely will investigate these options. Yes, I'm on a tight budget maybe around $2K. I want to stick with the Lintons for now. Sure I dream of Omega or Zu audio speakers that are higher sensitivity and an 8 ohm load. Should I spend more time look at a preamp or poweramp?  I thought the rule of thumb is preamp over poweramp to get tube magic. 

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I don't know if its me but all the Rogue Audio gear that I have heard does not sound too tubey to me.  They all sound good but I think that there is better gear for that tube sound.

As others have said, look here-

https://www.tubes4hifi.com/amps.htm

[nlitworld]

I thought the rule of thumb is preamp over poweramp to get tube magic.

That's an easy transition into tube life and something you could do pretty easily. Running a tube preamp before your integrated could make things a little funky thoughas it's double gain adding and double attenuation of the signal. You could run your integrated maxed thus effectively eliminating the volume control from the signal but things can get grainy. I'm doing something similar right now with my preamp into a jolida integrated running both at half volume. Too noisy if running full volume on either as too much gain added. Thus my quest to build a standalone ST35 amp.

[FullRangeMan]

There is an used Rogue Chronos Magnum $1695 at the Trading Circle.
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=191730.msg2006443#new
Its not a SET and use PCB.

[Andrew JC]

Thanks FullRangeMan that Rouge looks interesting. Also an Dynaco ST35 was just listed on USAudiomart https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650200752-dynaco-st-35-stereo-tube-amplifier-beautiful/ No easy choices in this hobby.

[rotarius]

Here is an unconventional recommendation.  Get a Silk Audio SA38/Yaqin MS34B integrated sold on ebay by a US seller.  A great bang for the buck and sounds better than my Primaluna Prologue and a step up from the Jolida/Black Ice 3502 i use to own.  Also owned a Cronus non magnum a long time ago, nice amp. Your Lintons are fine speakers, make sure you put reliable power tubes from a reputable dealer if buying used, otherwise premature failure and loud pop!
Tube preamp if you want less hassle, there are many options.  Mapletree over anything Schiit or AVA for starters.

[walkern]

I'm gonna suggest a Schiit Freya + preamp. No phono stage built in but you have plenty of outboard options. This affordable unit allows you to switch easily and quickly between a purely passive, active solid state, and active tube output system. It has balanced and single ended inputs and outputs, so it should mate up well with pretty much anything. Here's a link:https://www.schiit.com/products/freya-f

[rockadanny]

A general suggestion ... I've owned various tube gear.  I always looked for gear which had minimal number of tubes and have enjoyed them very much. I don't think it necessary to employ numerous tubes in a piece to obtain good sound.

[FullRangeMan]

A general suggestion ... I've owned various tube gear.  I always looked for gear which  has minimal number of tubes and have enjoyed them very much. I don't think it necessary to employ numerous tubes in a piece to obtain good sound.

+1.
Best sound are Single Ended Triode, PP are no so good just more Watts and Ultra Linear are even worse than PP.

With preamps rules are the same.

[Andrew JC]

Thank you all for the advice. I think I'm leaning towards a Dynaco ST35 or ST70. I did send an email to tubes4hifi about 5 days ago, however no response yet.

[nlitworld]

Hey Andrew, not surprising there. In all my dealings with the new owner, I believe he's only on email one or two days a week. Keep us posted what you come up with! 

[mick wolfe]

Great starter amp is this modern update to the classic Dynaco ST70:

https://www.tubes4hifi.com/amps.htm#ST70

  I've had one (ST70) for over a decade. One amp I'll never part with. Caveat being mine has the original 12AT7 board. Going forward I might consider the 6SN7 board. The big plus of this amp is that it run anything from a 6L6 to a KT88.

[snaimpally]

Thank you all for the advice. I think I'm leaning towards a Dynaco ST35 or ST70. I did send an email to tubes4hifi about 5 days ago, however no response yet.

https://tubes4hifi.com/SP14.htm

The SP14 tube preamp is the amp that Don Sachs used to sell with upgraded components and is the basis for the $6000 Raven preamp that Spatial Audio sells. The SP14 is around $1500 as a kit or $2k assembled. You can pair the tube pre with either an amp (solid state or class D) that you already have or pair it with a low cost good quality class D amp (the Fosi ZA3 has many excellent reviews and can be run mono or stereo).

I own a Don Sachs model 2 and have it paired with a class D amp and find it to be an excellent combination. I tried it with a high quality solid state amp but found I prefer the class D amp.