Contenders for Best Tube Integrated Amp? Only the best elements of tube sound!

[adamaley]

I'll second the thought for something 6C33C based. But even once the wattage gets up there, the damping factor just doesn't and I'm skeptical that these SET amps are going to be satisfying in the lower registers on speakers that require the power.

Which amps with 48W + power have you had experience with that displayed this lack of damping factor?

 

[bazelio]

Do you know of any higher power SET amps that can even approach a damping factor of 20? 15? I'm just not aware of any.

 

[morricab]

Do you know of any higher power SET amps that can even approach a damping factor of 20? 15? I'm just not aware of any.

Diana Forte has 60 watts and a damping factor of around 10, which works just fine for speakers like the Thiel CS3.7.

 

[bazelio]

I've heard that amp with Vandersteen, and the combo had redeeming qualities that could appeal to many preferences. Bass was a bit one note and could have been tighter per my preferences, though. I'd prefer a bi-amped arrangement.

 

[morricab]

I've heard that amp with Vandersteen, and the combo had redeeming qualities that could appeal to many preferences. Bass was a bit one note and could have been tighter per my preferences, though. I'd prefer a bi-amped arrangement.

Which Vandersteen model?

 

[Legolas]

Which Vandersteen model?

Arn't most of the Vandersteen's using active base modules? In that case the bass would not be powered by the main amp being used.

Also they seem to have very low efficiency, 87 db or less. Not the best choice for tube amps?

Model Seven Mk II Specifications
Tweeter
1” Patented Perfect Piston™ Tweeter with 3-Layer Carbon Fiber/Balsa/Carbon Fiber Dome, Aerodynamic Neo-Magnet Assembly
Midrange
4.5” Patented Perfect Piston™ Midrange with 3-Layer Carbon Fiber/Balsa/Carbon Fiber Cone, Die-Cast Aerodynamic Basket with Neo-Magnet Assembly and Ferrofluid Voice-Coil Cooling
Mid-woofer
7” Patented Perfect Piston™ Mid-Woofer with 3-Layer Carbon Fiber/Balsa/Carbon Fiber Cone, Die-Cast Aerodynamic Basket with Neo-Magnet Assembly and Ferrofluid Voice-Coil Cooling

Subwoofer
Dual 12" Trussed-Aluminum Cones, Dual-Motor, Push-Pull Driver with Die-Cast Aerodynamic Basket with Precision-Machined Opposing Magnet Assemblies with Copper Faraday Rings
Rear-fiiring Tweeter
.75" Ceramic-Coated Alloy Dome
Subwoofer Amplifier


400-Watt High-Current Power-Factor Corrected Amplifier
Recommended Amplification
40-300 Watts Into 8 Ohms
Frequency Response
22Hz-40kHz +/- 2dB
Sensitivity
83.5 dB, 1 meter/2.83 volt input
Impedance
+3 Ohms Nominal, - 1.5 Ohms
Crossovers
100Hz, 600Hz, 5000Hz, 6dB/Octave
Input Terminals
Barrier strips, 1/2" max width
Dimensions (WHD)
14" x 42.5" x 20"
Weight
170 lbs. Net
Country of Manufacture
Made in the USA

 

[morricab]

Arn't most of the Vandersteen's using active base modules? In that case the bass would not be powered by the main amp being used.

Also they seem to have very low efficiency, 87 db or less. Not the best choice for tube amps?

Model Seven Mk II Specifications
Tweeter
1” Patented Perfect Piston™ Tweeter with 3-Layer Carbon Fiber/Balsa/Carbon Fiber Dome, Aerodynamic Neo-Magnet Assembly
Midrange
4.5” Patented Perfect Piston™ Midrange with 3-Layer Carbon Fiber/Balsa/Carbon Fiber Cone, Die-Cast Aerodynamic Basket with Neo-Magnet Assembly and Ferrofluid Voice-Coil Cooling
Mid-woofer
7” Patented Perfect Piston™ Mid-Woofer with 3-Layer Carbon Fiber/Balsa/Carbon Fiber Cone, Die-Cast Aerodynamic Basket with Neo-Magnet Assembly and Ferrofluid Voice-Coil Cooling

Subwoofer
Dual 12" Trussed-Aluminum Cones, Dual-Motor, Push-Pull Driver with Die-Cast Aerodynamic Basket with Precision-Machined Opposing Magnet Assemblies with Copper Faraday Rings
Rear-fiiring Tweeter
.75" Ceramic-Coated Alloy Dome
Subwoofer Amplifier


400-Watt High-Current Power-Factor Corrected Amplifier
Recommended Amplification
40-300 Watts Into 8 Ohms
Frequency Response
22Hz-40kHz +/- 2dB
Sensitivity
83.5 dB, 1 meter/2.83 volt input
Impedance
+3 Ohms Nominal, - 1.5 Ohms
Crossovers
100Hz, 600Hz, 5000Hz, 6dB/Octave
Input Terminals
Barrier strips, 1/2" max width
Dimensions (WHD)
14" x 42.5" x 20"
Weight
170 lbs. Net
Country of Manufacture
Made in the USA

Exactly the reason for my question...the 5 carbon model is also active bass

 

[Believe High Fidelity]

I've heard that amp with Vandersteen, and the combo had redeeming qualities that could appeal to many preferences. Bass was a bit one note and could have been tighter per my preferences, though. I'd prefer a bi-amped arrangement.

Only time the Aries Cerat has been used with Vandersteens state side is the Diana and Model 5A Carbons which have the active bass tuned by Richard for that room at LAAS. No bearing on the performance of the amplifier from a bass standpoint and despite being a very inefficient speaker the Forte was an awesome pairing with it (so long as your room isn't too big).

It should be noted that combo was the 65W stereo amplifier version of the Diana called the Forte.

 

[bazelio]

Ah yes you're right about that. It was quite some time back. So this was a speaker preference. It certainly does make inutitive sense to pair in an active bass scenario. The room generated a fair amount of buzz at the show, even if not entirely my cup of tea sounding a bit soft.

 

[morricab]

Ah yes you're right about that. It was quite some time back. So this was a speaker preference. It certainly does make inutitive sense to pair in an active bass scenario. The room generated a fair amount of buzz at the show, even if not entirely my cup of tea sounding a bit soft.

Try to hear the AC amps on the speaker of your choice (which is...??).

 

[flez007]

If I were pushed to pick just one, I will lean towards a Jadis Integrated.

 

[Cellcbern]

Melody Valve AN 300B is one of the handfull of best sounding all tube integrateds I've ever heard:

Melody AN 300B Integrated Amplifier Reviewed - HomeTheaterReview

Terry London reviews the Melody AN 300B integrated amplifier. During the course of his evaluation, Terry discovers how your assumptions of how a piece will sound can be totally wrong.

hometheaterreview.com

Melody Valve AN300B Integrated Tube Amplifier Review

[W]hen I reviewed the Melody Valve PM845 mono block amps and Pure Black 101 preamp, I was knocked out by the build quality and no-holds-barred approach to amp construction. Just going by weight, appearances and parts count, they are seriously impressive products. My final conclusion was that...

www.dagogo.com

I am still on the lookout for a used one at a good price.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Audio Hungary Qualiton X200. Best $6 grand I have spent in a while.

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2021/08/06/audio-hungary-qualiton-x200-integrated-review/

 

[gleeds]

I have heard the Absolare integrated and absolutely loved it, not to mention its a true piece of Audio Art. If you can afford the price of entry, need some power for your speakers and don't mind a hybrid circuit design the Absolare is a winner.