[baumer]

I have two set-ups right now and need to narrow it down to one in terms of amplification. 
My basic configuration is this:

Squeezebox Duet
AVA Insight DAC
AVA Insight 260 Amp
AVA T8 Pre-Amp
Salk Songtowers

I also have a Musical Fidelity A5 integrated.

I always enjoyed the sound of the A5, but felt that the dynamics weren't quite there for me, so I started looking at other options. I had heard of great things with AVA/Salk set-ups. When I went to Jim's house to audition the SongTowers I had a first-hand opportunity to listen to a AVA/Salk system. The sound was amazing, it was what I had been hearing in my head for quite a long time. I eventually purchased the AVA components I have now.

I've had the AVA set-up for approx. eight months and planned on selling the A5, but thought I would hook it up just to make sure I wasn't making a mistake. I found that while I like the bigger soundstage and crisper dynamics of the AVA gear, the A5 had better channel separation. It was very apparent and I really liked it.

I'm wondering if I can find something that will give me the best of both worlds. I've been very curious lately about tube amps, and plan on bringing home a Jolida 502 to try out this week-end. Unfortunately, this is the only tube amp in my area that I can test out at home, but I figure that it will give me a pretty good idea of what to expect. (I'm hoping this isn't a huge generalization!) I've been looking at some of the Rogue Audio offerings as well, but my nearest dealer is a 3.5 hours drive away (each way).

I hoping that some of you can steer me towards other options to look into.

Doug

[maxwalrath]

If the amp you're borrowing has stock tubes, you might see if you can get your hands on some nice 12ax7's/5751's or 12at7's/(whatever the equivalent is) to try out.

I made a few tube changes to an old 502, and found that swapping out pre-tubes for NOS versions - maybe $50-75 a pair - had a greater impact than going from stock 6550's to EH KT88's. 

[gjclaxton@gmail.com]

Hi.  I would not assume that one tube amp sounds like another.  I have had both a manley stingray and an audio note soro.  the stingray is a nice entry amp and a used one is 1200 or so.  it is pretty dynamic.  the soro is another level in terms of resolution but it costs twice as much.  good luck  gary

[baumer]

If the amp you're borrowing has stock tubes, you might see if you can get your hands on some nice 12ax7's/5751's or 12at7's/(whatever the equivalent is) to try out.

I made a few tube changes to an old 502, and found that swapping out pre-tubes for NOS versions - maybe $50-75 a pair - had a greater impact than going from stock 6550's to EH KT88's. 

Good idea. I have some old RCA 12AX7's and some Mullard 12AT7's that I use in my Fender Deluxe Reverb. I'll put those
in and see how it sounds.

[PumaCat]

I have a Jolida JD801A I bought Jan. 3rd which I like it very much. The high-end store I frequent sells a lot of Jolida products, and may well be one of their leading sales dealerships. My understanding from them is like they don't care for the sound quality 302 and 502 all that much, and don't carry these two models. They *do* like the 102, 202, 707 and 801 quite a lot, however. If you can perhaps stretch your budge to audition the 707, I would consider that option.

The other thing that is nice with these integrateds is that they sound markedly better when used as a power amplifier driven by a quality tube preamp. This is an upgrade path for you at some point in the future if you choose to consider it.

Here's a pic of my JD801A:


I just recently rolled a matched quad of new issue Genelex Gold Lion KT88s into the output stage, and a set of NOS Tung-Sols into the input stage; all cryogenically treated. Sounds really, really nice now, better than the stock Electroharmonix 6550's.

[Zero]

The great thing about many of the Jolida tube integrated amplifiers is that you can get a lot of power for not a lot of cash.  The same goes for the ONIX SP3 integrated.

That said, having ran the SongTower's for a few months I can without question recommend the Vista Audio i-34 tube integrated amplifier.  I've got to say, I haven't encountered an affordable integrated quite like this one. Considering that Vista Audio gives you a money-back 14 day trial period, and a retroactive trial period for up to 60 days, there's zero reason why not to give it a shot.  This super affordable piece makes it really really tough to justify spending the big bucks on other products.

[denjo]

Hi Zero

The Vista integrated looks like one great audiophile bargain in this age of insane prices for one to reach audio nirvana! Do you know if it is powerful enough to drive the Harbeth Super 5's?

Best Regards
Dennis

[Zero]

Dennis,

Unless your looking to attain concert levels in a big room, the i34 will have zero problems powering the Harbeth's. Heck, it's having zero problems driving the ML Vantages.  Although these speakers are reasonably efficient, their impedance is downright brutal. I gotta tell you Dennis, every time I hook up the i34 - the big Mac and even the Karan start to get lots of shelf time.  Shouldn't it be the reverse?! 

[denjo]

D I gotta tell you Dennis, every time I hook up the i34 - the big Mac and even the Karan start to get lots of shelf time.  Shouldn't it be the reverse?! 

Hi Sean

Wow! That says a lot about the i34 and for the money it's a no-brainer! Have you done a full review yet? Would be interesting to compare "David" to the mighty "Goliaths!" While I agree that most times you get what you pay for, there is the occasional bargain where the performance does not reflect the price. Guess the i34 might just be one of them. I would have considered these without a second thought but for the heat from the tubes! We have temperatures hitting 38 C and our hot season seems to have come earlier than expected.

Best regards
Dennis

[baumer]

Stephen, that's a nice looking amp you've got there. If the 502 experience goes well this week-end i'll look into their upper-end
models some more.

Zero, I have been looking at the i34 the past couple of days. It looks like it would do the job no problem. My only issue is trying to
figure out if I would really need a remote for volume control. I've just gotten so spoiled by having one that it might be a problem not
having it.

BTW, did you just do the SongTower review at Sonic Flare?

[richidoo]

Cayin A-100T is a very nice sounding integrated.

[Zero]

Dennis -  Ouch. And I thought I had it bad here in the summer!    You're absolutely spot on - while there are plenty of pieces that gather lots of attention for offering great performance for the money, it's incredibly rare to find an animal that truly punches well beyond its weight. As I told Boris, if would dress the thing in a pretty wooden chassis and charge $2000 for it, people would begin to take the amp a lot more seriously.  It's too bad you're locale isn't more hospitable for valves.  Having followed your journey to find the ideal integrated, I'm sure you'd love the i34.

Baumer - Yep, I'm the guy that just wrote the SongTower review. *wonders if tomato's will now be thrown in my direction*.  For what its worth, Boris does offer a simple remote control with the i34. I forgot what the pricing was, but I believe it's $200. Don't take my word for it though, you will definitely want to check with him on the pricing.

[consttraveler]

I have a LFD Mistral that is SS but on the warm "tubey" side.  I opened it up for cleaning and was shocked at how good the parts and construction are, with one of the "cleanest" designs I have owned. 

I use a Mark Levinson 380s in my main system only because it has more input connections and balanced outs.

Both sound very good, and very different.

[PumaCat]

Stephen, that's a nice looking amp you've got there. If the 502 experience goes well this week-end i'll look into their upper-end
models some more.
 

Well, it's not functioning as an integrated any more....I just got a Conrad-Johnson PV12 preamp for it, and I'm using that to drive it as a "power amp" now. Sounds bloody good, too.   aa