Recommendations for a great budget tube integrated?

BossaNova31 · « **on:** 15 Apr 2008, 04:02 pm »

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to give my sister/brother-in law a nice tube stereo setup as kind of a late holiday present.

I have some things laying around already - decent ICs, some Hudson Audio copper speaker cables, a budget power cord. I'm looking to spend maybe $800-1000 for speakers and the amp all in (they have an ok CD player).

So, I love my Omega Superhemps and I want to go with a smaller used set of Omegas (their listening area is about 10x12 so the Supers would be too big even if I had the budget). I found these used Grande 6 on Agon for $450obo for example.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1212023251

So that leaves say $500 for a decent integrated. It has to be a tube amp (even though RWA sounds good) but I am open with respect to output tube selection or configuration (SET or PP).

Any recommmendations?

pardales · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 04:07 pm »

If you can find one, the Almarro A205 would be great.

Airborn · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 04:55 pm »

Onix SP3 MkII

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1212882954

BossaNova31 · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 06:13 pm »

I've heard people mention Almarro before. There is one on Agon for $500 that is marked sold

Seems like it would be a great match for Omegas with those EL84s!

skite30 · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 06:27 pm »

Might want to look for a don allen 6bq5 cake pan amp passive volume conrol. 550

saisunil · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 06:47 pm »

Glow one amp that fits in your budget

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/glow/one.html

Nice gift....

Les Lammers · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 10:30 pm »

Quote from: BossaNova31 on 15 Apr 2008, 06:13 pm

I've heard people mention Almarro before. There is one on Agon for $500 that is marked sold

Seems like it would be a great match for Omegas with those EL84s!

I bought it, FedEx delivered it an hour ago and am listening to it now. (2) Telefunken EL84's and a Mullard 12AX7 and it sounds good...really good.

Stupid good for the money.

It is really quiet on 98 db PHY-HP drivers.

It is an eye opener as to what can be done to assemble a good system for small $$. Have look at the Tekton single driver speakers too. This amp is worth the retail price and is a bargain used.

BossaNova31 · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 10:40 pm »

Nice! I guess I will have to keep my eye out for an Almarro. That one for $500 even came with upgraded tubes - sounds like you got a great deal.

If anyone here has one - Id be willing to trade for my ASL 300b SET integrated (plus a few hundred $$$).

Les Lammers · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 10:53 pm »

It came with a cryoed GE 5751 and 2 Cryo Harma EL84's. I just swapped a long plate Tung Sol 12AX7 in place of the Mullard. I have a lot of 12AX7's and EL84's so this is going to be fun. *I* agree with Jeff Day..the coupling caps need to be changed...Jensen PIO?.. but I will wait a while. The amp, to me, is a keeper. It would be perfect in you sister's room. Is it a giant killer? No, I don't think that exists. If you have fairly efficient speakers and wanted to try tubes this would be an amp to consider.

Scott F. · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 Apr 2008, 11:32 pm »

Thats easy.

Jolida 102b (stock not modified) at $650
Insignia Speakers from Best Buy at $79

Both would be brand new rather than buying used. For speaker cables go to Home Depot and pick up 25' of the Carol low voltage lighting cable that is rated for direct burial ($12). This stuff sounds better than the WalMart cables the guys are talking about (IMO). Then for interconnects go for a pair of AR's at $19 (I think they are Acoustic Research). You'd have to figure out something on speaker stands. If you feel like an easy project for you and your brother-in-law, try a pair of my Stubbie's over at TNT-Audio. They work great and are cheap ($40) to build.

Throw in the Super Pro DAC707 (USB DAC) at $110 and you've just got yourself a tremendously musical system. All for under $1k. That leaves about $90 to buy some new CD's.

WARNING - After you listen to that little JoLida, you might just be selling off the rest of your gear. Theres been about three or four guys on AC that have bought it on my recommendation and they've all but given up on the upgrade path, especially when you get the factory modified version at $100 more.

Les Lammers · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 Apr 2008, 12:19 am »

For speaker cables go to Home Depot and pick up 25' of the Carol low voltage lighting cable that is rated for direct burial ($12). This stuff sounds better than the WalMart cables the guys are talking about (IMO).

I tried the WalMart wire and it was pretty good. Where in HD is the Carol wire located? Landscape lighting?

Never heard the Jolida 102b..but it is hard to mess up a 6BQ5 amp. They come up on Agon once in a while too and are well regarded. I have a pretty good PP EL84 amp and love it. The single ended Almarro is different, in a nice way, and I am sure I will keep it too..

Scott F. · « **Reply #11 on:** 16 Apr 2008, 01:02 am »

Quote from: Les Lammers on 16 Apr 2008, 12:19 am

I tried the WalMart wire and it was pretty good. Where in HD is the Carol wire located? Landscape lighting?

Never heard the Jolida 102b..but it is hard to mess up a 6BQ5 amp. They come up on Agon once in a while too and are well regarded. I have a pretty good PP EL84 amp and love it. The single ended Almarro is different, in a nice way, and I am sure I will keep it too..

The wire is back in the electrical section with the rest of the low voltage exterior lighting. If I remember correctly it comes in 25', 50', and 100' rolls. I like it well enough that I'm using it in three systems, my office, on my Altec A-7's and in my home theater.

I know what you mean about the 6BQ5. Its a fabulous sounding tube. Absolutely one of my favorites. And you're right, its really hard to mess up a that circuit.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 Apr 2008, 05:41 am »

Here's a nice deal on a used Vista Audio i34.....Link..

Another to consider....the Sophia Baby.

bacobits1 · « **Reply #13 on:** 17 Apr 2008, 02:54 am »

The Vista i34 is a steal and worth 2X the new price. That Agon sale is a prototype and more than likely not typical of the new version. Although, Boris would probably bring it up to current and for that price would be a hell of a deal. I didn't like the Sophia's, El34 version and the "baby". They could not compare to the EE amp I had at the time, all be it and a higher cost. Just my opinion.

D

Zero · « **Reply #14 on:** 17 Apr 2008, 03:15 am »

Heres yet another vote for the Vista Audio piece....

srayle · « **Reply #15 on:** 17 Apr 2008, 04:01 pm »

Another vote for the Jolida 102b... do yourself a favor and get an EL84 amp, those tubes dance!
Jolidis a terrific deal and a terrific amp. Then get yourself some good EL84 NOS, and some nice preamp
tubes and ENJOY!!!!

Scott F., why not the modded version?

Also consider the Onyx SP3, available used for around $450-500...more powerful and has an amazing big beautiful sound.
Built like a tank, but not as well alid out or designed under the hood as the Jolida.

Steve

Songforyou · « **Reply #16 on:** 20 Apr 2008, 06:37 pm »

I'll join in on the recommendations for el84 based amps. I have a Mapleshade modded Scott 222C and a Glow Amp One. I use the Scott on Hornshoppe Horns and the Glow on a pair of Omega Super 3Rs. The Glow is a sweet piece for less than $500 new and has a very good headphone out. It is limited to one RCA in, but it also has USB in for those so inclined. The Scott has more punch (it should, 18w/c compared to 5w/c), but the Glow is ideal for a small room situation with effficient speakers like the Omegas.

Question for Scott F: What gauge is the Carol low voltage cable? I've read posts elsewhere about 14 awg and others saying they use 16 awg. What gauge are you using?

Thanks,
Songforyou

Scott F. · « **Reply #17 on:** 20 Apr 2008, 08:43 pm »

Actually, I'm using the 12 gauge though I'm sure the 14 would be fine too.

I wholly recommend the factory modified JoLida. I was trying to keep to my total system under 1k

SOM · « **Reply #18 on:** 20 Apr 2008, 08:46 pm »

Quote from: pardales on 15 Apr 2008, 04:07 pm

If you can find one, the Almarro A205 would be great.

Ditto. Listening to mine with HornShoppe Horns and digging it!

srayle · « **Reply #19 on:** 20 Apr 2008, 11:31 pm »

I think the Almarro is overrated, have heard the Almarro, and the Jolida spanks it. Get the factory mod version if you can!