JohnA Posted November 15, 2023 Share Posted November 15, 2023 Do you have a recommendation for a cheap tube integrated to replace my '70s receiver to drive my Heresy IVs? Let's say 10 to 25 watts, 2 inputs and tone controls, price in the few hundred $$. I can pick one at random on Amazon, but I'd rather have a recommendation from someone with experience. My only experience with tubes was a pair of Wave-8s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opnly bafld Posted November 15, 2023 Share Posted November 15, 2023 1 hour ago, JohnA said: Do you have a recommendation for a cheap tube integrated to replace my '70s receiver to drive my Heresy IVs? Let's say 10 to 25 watts, 2 inputs and tone controls, price in the few hundred $$. I would recommend staying with solid state (even though it pains me being a tube guy) because you will not find any tube amplifier worth buying for a few hundred. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeydeal Posted November 15, 2023 Share Posted November 15, 2023 @82 Cornwalls +1 However, if you are willing to bump that price up a little, I’d recommend this one. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650037777-integrated-tube-amplifier/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry4841 Posted November 16, 2023 Share Posted November 16, 2023 On a tight budget give these some consideration. Positive reviews and on youtube. Do not expect decades of use or $5K sound though. No personal experience. https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton-Audio-HTA100-100-Watt-Stereo-Hybrid-Tube-Amplifier-with-Bluetooth-300-3848?quantity=1 https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton-Audio-HTA200-200-Watt-Stereo-Hybrid-Tube-Amplifier-with-Bluetooth-300-3850?quantity=1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnA Posted November 16, 2023 Author Share Posted November 16, 2023 This is a play around sysyem and I think tubes would be more fun. I looked at the Dayton hybrids. They're interesting. The sound source will be a laptop, so there's no justification for $5000, and no desire in that system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted November 16, 2023 Share Posted November 16, 2023 @tragusa3 has one Henry. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tragusa3 Posted November 16, 2023 Share Posted November 16, 2023 I've been using the Dayton HTA100 for about 2 years now, with a pair of Heresy 1's. I feed it through the BT on my laptop. There can't be a single complaint at this price. Heresys sound great! I did hook them up to a better amp (SS) and heard the difference, but...come on...it's usually $160 on Black Friday. For that, decent amp with phono input, sub out and bluetooth. Wow! The fit, finish and feel are better than expected too. I want to try the HTA200...that adds a few things, including twice the power and a remote. BTW, no remote has been a non-issue, as the laptop does it. I believe you'd have to spend 10 times the money to appreciate it. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry4841 Posted November 16, 2023 Share Posted November 16, 2023 Good review from a member. Hard to go wrong at that price. The tubes add a touch of 2nd harmonics which is always a good thing in my opinion. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted November 17, 2023 Share Posted November 17, 2023 May have not remembered the phono, but yes, may have to try one. Thanks for the update. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeydeal Posted November 17, 2023 Share Posted November 17, 2023 If you truly want tube sound, a hybrid amp won’t get you there. It may sound good and even slightly (albeit, very slightly) different than a SS offering, it only hints at what a tube amp will bring. I think you will need to spend at least 800.00 (I’ve seen a couple of used Willsenton amps at this price) to get something that sounds decent and is reliable. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnA Posted December 16, 2023 Author Share Posted December 16, 2023 Well, I ended up with a silver Yamaha R-N600A. It nicely compliments the Heresy IVs and does lots of streaming and looks *almost* 1975, once more! Sick of black. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted December 19, 2023 Share Posted December 19, 2023 On 11/15/2023 at 3:28 PM, 83 LSIs said: I would recommend staying with solid state (even though it pains me being a tube guy) because you will not find any tube amplifier worth buying for a few hundred. I'd agree with the above. I used a few different vintage Kenwood/Trio like in the links I provided in the Livingroom and my Study when I ended up with 4 grandchildren running around here. All but one room is back to tubes now. But anything tubed in the couple hundred is going to either be a headache or sound like dung. These Kenwood/Trio sound pretty darn good and if you're into vinyl have a decent phono section. I was lucky though I found 2 decent examples at an estate sale for $40 each. DO make sure whomever you buy one from warranties it works in all respects as it should. I am not at all affiliated or know the people selling them in the links just showing you examples. 1) https://www.ebay.com/itm/196138553770?hash=item2daac4d1aa:g:Z6EAAOSwkn1lf2G-&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAABAPnjAiYzerT0b5mtVGdimT%2B7HgxtZb4qyFhVSA16n%2FSDzVfqZDnYl9Sf7qRjljxnXIoa61oPheP%2BypHXxHNWoxCfjMbmQlZPCUEJ9EEqrNGMCC5W9bcq5e3x%2BNew6S4vF6fq1NTQWjbeBr0JllTxvteE0K4pAWBLanUgcA0WyY2mECr9ohVM4ipYxY2wlSPygvTqt6HujS5Zxs0Cua2zibmq%2Bsuk2vVA3kSTIGMY9TYWAomgMWwCTNF%2F7VGe443zlg9db1cjhldeskZy1fUjXSipQ0q1FL02BGpHUiQtNwrjdOl1yg3sRvGS4SGqNb3Lrb2xikp940P%2Fq9iEjo4Tr94%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR76nhfWPYw 2) https://www.ebay.com/itm/375125558953?hash=item575739c6a9:g:GA0AAOSwBtBlfmxi&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAABAEkQwDfKfOKHar%2B%2Bx1is5AN8gTkhvfleXY3pjvaL%2BIays71HuLD%2BV9OYc8wziqiLYeZHuxatE1jyy0r7XKHhdJ4uh5afYLrOtdP0sjYWbaBlQrIjd9Suw%2FHGQ5PXenJbej1WHFDRPeg6Cc5ToEj4nWZoCNaguDSN2Of%2FPv4q5C1%2FU%2F3zykB8OlCKCyt7R10KgzuX%2FRNZg%2FFVjD4avLe1tjN1WavsYKZw%2BxN%2FkW1QZYTsRw%2FFnfsrfXfVCZg%2FRf0brArf3XvXCKM%2BMFzaykU%2BtPXLtST0l%2Fw%2F5zUm0afKBBiekoVCLXBsEYOXDz6T6VxhZwH0xXzK1GFBLPZoV9vxXjQ%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR76nhfWPYw 3) https://www.ebay.com/itm/155679870776?hash=item243f3e4f38:g:PT0AAOSwlsZkuxUv&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4Lml0HuuMIz63x98dboj68DGYaIIUDv4VxHQ0Vev%2FcU0mEwIp52zUAu6RfG6OvKJj1tY2T%2BXyM2UgK0xxZ1ViNQIrSyZiMN5C%2FkeecOe%2FqQcrV37bJaVSCLujV4khRHS%2BJDVVfiGPNLNp9cZcPCVfTqrJEQXDgB1jw8PSE2QavSh%2B6aGaGdfyaX4Z4FB2a%2F2nrd%2F%2FOJpCedbhwKhCapYNZQ8XQD5vTrW72diC1UzxP4oq%2By2nJMNyVyIq3IhJ0sdx%2BzWkPKyob5sx7F7e7IYu0HG%2BHiQihWgRe3JQM4aJ1KL|tkp%3ABk9SR8CnhfWPYw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opnly bafld Posted December 19, 2023 Share Posted December 19, 2023 @NOSValves JohnA the thread starter mentions what he ended up getting (Yamaha R-N600A) in the post above yours. Your post may be beneficial to someone down the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Morbius Posted December 21, 2023 Share Posted December 21, 2023 Now I wonder I don’t have any history with these amps but to me Kenwood amps vs. Harmon/Kardon amps - I always wondered similar ratings and such, which has the better build, reliability and such? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted December 22, 2023 Share Posted December 22, 2023 21 hours ago, Dr Morbius said: Now I wonder I don’t have any history with these amps but to me Kenwood amps vs. Harmon/Kardon amps - I always wondered similar ratings and such, which has the better build, reliability and such? I hate to say it because it will rattle a few feathers but to me with my experience Kenwood is hands down the better in every respect of the two. IMHO not even close. HK around here has a big following because of one very vocal Klipsch I believe ex-employee and forum member. PS: IMHO Marantz is/was way better too! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Morbius Posted December 24, 2023 Share Posted December 24, 2023 Good to know, I’ve heard the same thing from others over time and you being in the know confirms my belief. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Morbius Posted December 24, 2023 Share Posted December 24, 2023 I suppose then that Kenwood and Marantz are similar in nature of reliability and build quality? Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted December 24, 2023 Share Posted December 24, 2023 16 minutes ago, Dr Morbius said: I suppose then that Kenwood and Marantz are similar in nature of reliability and build quality? Steve 👍 Yes sir in my opinion. Marantz has always been a favorite of mine in the tube and 70's SS era. The problem is it commands extreme prices, Kenwood not so bad,, 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 I've had three H/K receivers, and while pretty nice, not the be all end all pieces of gear (I still have two). I enjoy them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don A. Childs Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 I'm have sympathy for price restraint..... however...I have crawled up product lines buying the next upgrade in my components until it dawned on me that if I added up the cost of replacing this or that multiple times was adding up to an amount I thought I couldn't "justify". The Klipsch speaker line is an example. I've owned almost everything but the Khorn and Jubilee. If I had just bought my Lascalas immediately I would have saved a considerable sum. (Although all my friends and family now own some great speakers! lol My son enjoys his RF7's!)) After buying SS amps/receivers I decided to stop this tactic. After MUCH consideration I bought the Raven Audio Nighthawk tube integrated. Lascala and Raven is a match that will blow your mind. BUT at $2999 it far exceeds your dollar limit by a wild margin. However....you don't know what will finally scratch that itch. (One hopes that Maybe the cheaper step will be ok until the lower performance drives you crazy) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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