[blosert]

Hi,

This is my first post here.  My question is: I'm looking to move into some tube gear and, given certain space constraints, I would prefer an integrated amp.  The amps I'm looking at most closely so far are: Cary SLI-80 Signature (F1 if I can find one used), Rogue Tempest II, and VTL IT-85.  I'd prefer to buy from a domestic company, but it isn't absolutely essential.

Any comments on these three models?  Any other options I'm not thinking of, but should?  (I've thought of the VAC Avatar/Avatar Super, but they don't come up very often used).

My speakers are Intuitive Design Summits, with around an 89db efficiency; and I should add: living in Iowa, it is difficult for me to audition tube gear.

Thanks,
Tim

[richidoo]

I could not find the impedance specs for the summit. If it dips much below 4 ohms then I would not recommend the Cary. If it is mostly above, then yes, it is a very nice sounding good looking amp.

I heard a new integrated from Audio Research at RMAF. It is 75W, 6550 output tubes, remote control. Sounded very nice, about $4000.

Cayin A-88T is also very nice sounding, if you can buy Chinese.

[EDS_]

Hi,

This is my first post here.  My question is: I'm looking to move into some tube gear and, given certain space constraints, I would prefer an integrated amp.  The amps I'm looking at most closely so far are: Cary SLI-80 Signature (F1 if I can find one used), Rogue Tempest II, and VTL IT-85.  I'd prefer to buy from a domestic company, but it isn't absolutely essential.

Any comments on these three models?  Any other options I'm not thinking of, but should?  (I've thought of the VAC Avatar/Avatar Super, but they don't come up very often used).

My speakers are Intuitive Design Summits, with around an 89db efficiency; and I should add: living in Iowa, it is difficult for me to audition tube gear.

Thanks,
Tim

I have a lot of experience with SLI-80s and IT-85s, little with the Rogue.

To me these are the top three integrated amps in their category.  No mistake to be made.  If you listen to phones a lot I'd give an edge to the Cary as it's phone amp is simply great.  Cary's fit-n-finish is great too.  The Rogue looks beautiful as well but it does not look like a tube amp with the cover in place. 

The Cary is also REALLY easy to bias.

[Mightyburner]

Try the Cayin A-100-T.  More powerful and much easier to bias than the a-88T.  I believe AcousticSounds offers a 30 day $$$ back guarantee. The full MSRP is about $3200.

[ajayrav]

Don't forget the PrimaLunas....They have autobiasing and sound divine!

Ajay

[twitch54]

I heard a new integrated from Audio Research at RMAF. It is 75W, 6550 output tubes, remote control. Sounded very nice, about $4000.

if your talking about the new VSi55 that was driving the Wilson Sophia's it's actually a 50 watt amp. It did a very nice job I might add !

[blosert]

I have a lot of experience with SLI-80s and IT-85s, little with the Rogue.

To me these are the top three integrated amps in their category.  No mistake to be made.  If you listen to phones a lot I'd give an edge to the Cary as it's phone amp is simply great.  Cary's fit-n-finish is great too.  The Rogue looks beautiful as well but it does not look like a tube amp with the cover in place. 

The Cary is also REALLY easy to bias.

Thanks for the response (to everyone).  Putting aside the headphone issue, which of these two--the Cary or the VTL--do you prefer?  What do you think are their sonic differences and similarities?

Also: I believe the Summits have an impedance around 6 ohms, 4 ohms minimum.

Thanks again,
Tim

[sabes]

(I've thought of the VAC Avatar/Avatar Super, but they don't come up very often used).

love the vac sound: http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1228485073&/Vac-Phi-Beta-integrated-amplif

(not my listing!)

[EDS_]

I have a lot of experience with SLI-80s and IT-85s, little with the Rogue.

To me these are the top three integrated amps in their category.  No mistake to be made.  If you listen to phones a lot I'd give an edge to the Cary as it's phone amp is simply great.  Cary's fit-n-finish is great too.  The Rogue looks beautiful as well but it does not look like a tube amp with the cover in place. 

The Cary is also REALLY easy to bias.

Thanks for the response (to everyone).  Putting aside the headphone issue, which of these two--the Cary or the VTL--do you prefer?  What do you think are their sonic differences and similarities?

Also: I believe the Summits have an impedance around 6 ohms, 4 ohms minimum.

Thanks again,
Tim

I prefer the Cary for a few reasons.
- The Cary is a little more quite
- Both enjoy near perfect fit-n-finish
- The SLI-80 is a tube rollers dream, for output any quad set of KT-88, 6550, EL-34 will work great.  The IT-85 runs a quad of EL-34s only in tetrode.
- An SLI-80 owner can choose to run ultralinear or triode via switches (IIRC the Rogue has this feature as well)
- The Cary uses a set of 6sn7s and a set of 6922s in the pre-amp section (I don 't remember the IT-85s pre set up except that it did not use 6sn7s)
- The VLT's rear connections sit at an angle - very cool.  But the arrangement is odd as the speaker out sets are next to each other on the right  side.  The Cary's speaker outs are at each near a side wall.


What really matters is that the Cary sounds a little better.  The IT-85 is a little too laid back in the mid-range and it does not produce a lot of bass.
If the mood strikes I run my Cary in triode with EL-34 for cool jazz.  If I'm in a Motorhead mood 6550s fit the bill.  My SLI-80 drives my Spendor S5e speakers just fine.  What is more impressive to me is that using 6550 set to ultralinear it would drive my Hales Revelation III speakers very well.  The Hales presented a much tougher load.

Good luck!

[Steidl Guitars]

I own the Rogue and like it very much.  Mark O'Brien is a terrific guy, friendly as they come.

The Rogue responds well to tube rolling; it too uses 6SN7s as well as 12AX7s (of which I now own about a million of each) and it can run KT88s or 6550s I think.  I use KT88s.

I use it to power 88db speakers and it does not break a sweat.

I have not heard the Cary but I am certain it is a very nice piece; I own one of their CD players.

Good luck!
Bob

[Niteshade]

Pay close attention to the reviews and call a few stores that carry them. Make sure the tone qualities are to your liking. Do you want warm, dark, transparent, etc...? Tube amps have a wide gamut of sonic qualities. Get the highest wattage tube amplifier possible due to your speaker's efficiency rating. Eighty to one hundred watts will work great. It's always better to get high watt amps in this scenario.

Hi,

This is my first post here.  My question is: I'm looking to move into some tube gear and, given certain space constraints, I would prefer an integrated amp.  The amps I'm looking at most closely so far are: Cary SLI-80 Signature (F1 if I can find one used), Rogue Tempest II, and VTL IT-85.  I'd prefer to buy from a domestic company, but it isn't absolutely essential.

Any comments on these three models?  Any other options I'm not thinking of, but should?  (I've thought of the VAC Avatar/Avatar Super, but they don't come up very often used).

My speakers are Intuitive Design Summits, with around an 89db efficiency; and I should add: living in Iowa, it is difficult for me to audition tube gear.

Thanks,
Tim

[Brown]

Pay close attention to the reviews and call a few stores that carry them. Make sure the tone qualities are to your liking. Do you want warm, dark, transparent, etc...? Tube amps have a wide gamut of sonic qualities. Get the highest wattage tube amplifier possible due to your speaker's efficiency rating. Eighty to one hundred watts will work great. It's always better to get high watt amps in this scenario.

Hi,

This is my first post here.  My question is: I'm looking to move into some tube gear and, given certain space constraints, I would prefer an integrated amp.  The amps I'm looking at most closely so far are: Cary SLI-80 Signature (F1 if I can find one used), Rogue Tempest II, and VTL IT-85.  I'd prefer to buy from a domestic company, but it isn't absolutely essential.

Any comments on these three models?  Any other options I'm not thinking of, but should?  (I've thought of the VAC Avatar/Avatar Super, but they don't come up very often used).

My speakers are Intuitive Design Summits, with around an 89db efficiency; and I should add: living in Iowa, it is difficult for me to audition tube gear.

Thanks,
Tim

Great advice. That being said FIND a VAC and don't turn back. There is a reason they do not turn up. A classic in every respect. One wonders why they make anything else. Its that good. Goood luck trying

[Todd R]

HI,
I've owned the Rogue Tempest and didn't think it sounded very good at all. No life, no color, just bland.
I have a Cary SLI-80 F1 which is a whole bunch better.
BTW, the Cary is for sale so if you're still looking for one please contact me.

[kck]

Amazing that no one recommended the Manley Stingray... eye AND ear candy combined with a very fair price to boot.

[blosert]

Thanks again to all who responded with advice.  As it turns out, I ended up finding a used VAC Avatar SE.  So far, it sounds wonderful, save for the bass, which seems sort of anemic on my speakers.  The speakers haven't ever had trouble producing great bass with other moderate to somewhat low powered amps I've tried, so I'm a touch confused by this.  The tubes I am currently using are stock VAC tubes, save for the EL34s which are Valve Arts.  But the VAC tubes are basically new, with only ten or fifteen hours on them.  Any thoughts as to why the bass might sound so weak?

[EDS_]

Thanks again to all who responded with advice.  As it turns out, I ended up finding a used VAC Avatar SE.  So far, it sounds wonderful, save for the bass, which seems sort of anemic on my speakers.  The speakers haven't ever had trouble producing great bass with other moderate to somewhat low powered amps I've tried, so I'm a touch confused by this.  The tubes I am currently using are stock VAC tubes, save for the EL34s which are Valve Arts.  But the VAC tubes are basically new, with only ten or fifteen hours on them.  Any thoughts as to why the bass might sound so weak?

1. Does your new VAC have either 4 and 8 ohm speaker connections or possibly speaker impedance switches?  If so try a different selection.
2. Might your output tubes be biased a little on the low side?

Your VAC should produce excellent bass.

[Kaiwai]

Leben CS600 tube integrated amp (30w/ch) should also be considered.

Beautiful retro finish and very well made. It conveniently includes 16, 8, 6 & 4 ohm impedance selector to suit a wide range of speakers and can also operate as a dedicate power amp. With its auto bias, tube rolling is an easy option to tailor the sound you want. Just the today I swapped its stock 6L6GC tubes with a quad of EL34 tubes and the difference in sound was distinct and impressive. Don't under estimate its 30w/ch output. At average listening levels it didn't even break a sweat driving my current hungry B&W 804 Nautilus speakers. However I reckon a more reasonable load and vivid sounding speaker will suit the Leben best. There're heaps of favourable reviews online.

[blosert]

I should have noted: the VAC does have 4 and 8 ohm taps.  I've tried both with my speakers.  Bass from the 4 ohm tap is a bit deeper, but it still sounds as if it were playing at a low volume, without very much pop.

[EDS_]

I should have noted: the VAC does have 4 and 8 ohm taps.  I've tried both with my speakers.  Bass from the 4 ohm tap is a bit deeper, but it still sounds as if it were playing at a low volume, without very much pop.

Are you confident the output tubes are biased correctly?  This is really odd.

[blosert]

I've double checked the bias, and it seems to be fine.  Biasing these amps is very easy, so I don't think that could be the problem.