Never had any amp trouble until i bought an 8 yr old naim power amp recently. Apart that huge 'thump' on turning on, which apparently is 'normal', the thing kept breaking down. No more naim for me.
Decided to forego a tube preamp for new system, seeing as Lumin now use Leedh- drawing up a shortlist of best warm or rich sounding amps up to £1200 to power 86db/1w speakers
Audiophonics purifi is around that price, no idea of sound signature. Op amps can be rolled tho.
Below that are Vidar...
Personally think are their best products are Raganarok and Saga. Schiit dacs I don't know much about, havent heard, but the multibits seem v suspect, looking at measurements.
What I wd change.
Do an 'uber' spec Vidar.
Update the Freya, or split into options.. it's trying to do too much and...
Just bought a 'starter' set valve amp from Mark Audio (with a Node 2 as source).
Amp came with JJ KT88's but will try Treasure KT120's in a month or so. I'll let you know how they compare.
Curious about this, as the AK70mk2 with dual dacs and AK connect looks v good indeed. Not sure if AK do a dedicated 'cradle' for this budget player like they do with the far more expensive AK380.
For example, how wd a Bluesound node 2 compare with a AK70mk2 in a 2 channel system
Thanks! sorry not to reply earlier. I found a company called XTZ making a floorstander with the non cell neo mid for a crazy good price. And also the Salk's as you mentioned, V good reviews