[JLM]

Looking to spend under $1500 USD and getting a tubed pre-amp section (the fewer/cheaper tubes the better).

TIA

[Wind Chaser]

It has the classic T amp signature but it's not very authoritative in the bass. Pretty decent sound overall, especially for the money...

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=88147.0

[JackD201]

Under budget by 5 cents and exactly your specs

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=VISV226

[decal]

Ditto the Vincent above.A fine sounding piece of equipment.What speakers will you be using?

[revrob]

I have owned 2 DK / LSA integrated amps and if were not for the inefficient speakers that I owned I would never have sold them. One of the great integrated out there. A used one would be in your price range.

[JLM]

Thanks guys, I love links.   

I've had mixed luck with buying used, so I'd prefer to bite the bullet and go new.

That Vicent looks really promising from the link. 

BTW my speakers are Bob Brines FTA-2000A: 

http://brinesacoustics.com/ & http://brinesacoustics.com/Pages/FTA-2000/Main.html

I'm the orginal customer (those are my speakers pictured).  Bob doesn't make much money building speakers, but unfortunately his prices have gone up significantly.  The Fostex F200A driver is rated 27 watts continuous and 80 watts peak.

[bushbison]

+ 3 for the Vincent..

[max190]

http://www.pacificvalve.us/BDC222.html
This is the real deal... keep cash in your pocket. Effortlessly drives my 4-ohm power hungry Dynaudio 3.4's.  Its been in my system now for 2 years.





 

[JLM]

Thanks for the heads up Max.

As Alex said as part of a 6moons.com review of his $5,000 modded version:  "...The stock Bada DC-222 is nothing but a knock-off grey-market Musical Fidelity integrated whose real equivalent sold for $3000."

From the same review: "... one discovers a shockingly hi-end made Chinese 4 x 12AU7, twin transformer'd hybrid integrated amplifier. It packs Toshiba transistors, Wima and Solen caps and 90/190wpc into 8/4 ohms while offering five inputs with record out, soft start and remote control. Despite the stout and quality construction, it sells for a surprisingly low price."

[JLM]

Now that I look over the Pacific Valve site I find an even tastier offering, the Bada Purer 3.3SE:

http://www.pacificvalve.us/BDPurer33.html

Still within budget ($1320) even with upgraded tubes, this one is dual mono (better imaging like I have now with mono blocks), class A mode up to 30 wpc, upgraded transistors (more dynamic), and sports an extra 50 wpc.  But the best could be the synergistic design that reportedly does more than just slap together complimentary tube pre with solid state power sections, which is the advantage going integrated should bring (versus each of us hunting for the mystical perfect pairing).  It also has two class A biasing options and three timbre settings to choose from.

[max190]

Now that I look over the Pacific Valve site I find an even tastier offering, the Bada Purer 3.3SE:

http://www.pacificvalve.us/BDPurer33.html

Still within budget ($1320) even with upgraded tubes, this one is dual mono (better imaging like I have now with mono blocks), class A mode up to 30 wpc, upgraded transistors (more dynamic), and sports an extra 50 wpc.  But the best could be the synergistic design that reportedly does more than just slap together complimentary tube pre with solid state power sections, which is the advantage going integrated should bring (versus each of us hunting for the mystical perfect pairing).  It also has two class A biasing options and three timbre settings to choose from.

JLM, I'm curious. Did you order the 3.3SE?

[JLM]

No, I'm all over the map (driving myself crazy):

Shengya A-216 (150 wpc balanced w/long term tubed pre), Jungson JD88(09) (80 wpc balanced class A), W4S (125/250 wpc digital), Nightshade (125/250 wpc digital), and my current hot interest Decware Torii Mk III (25 wpc all tube, nearly all the bells and whistles of good design, but the most expensive).

I auditioned the original Torii years ago at home with my speakers but worried about its 12 wpc and some bass bloom.  The new amp doubles the power and with EQ I can tame any frequency issues.  I lived on the Decware site before AC (or even HD) existed.

[Wind Chaser]

This... http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1296750557&/jungson-v-66-

[JLM]

Windy,

Too obscure, why doesn't Grant Fidelity offer it?

I'm changing directions, now lusting for a Decware Torii Mk III:

http://www.decware.com/newsite/TORII.htm

Only 24 wpc, but all tube, built in the U.S., lifetime warranty, nearly every good tube design concept you've ever heard of and then some.  I auditioned the original Torii years ago and at half the power wasn't sure it had enough juice for my speakers.  The new one has many more features to improve and adjust the sound, yet has only three parts in the signal path.  Like every Decware amp it has a volume control, making use of a pre-amp optional.  Lots of tubes, but their relatively cheap to swap out/replace.  Decware offers a 30 day trial period.