Hi,

I have a SimAudio I-5 amp and recently heard and liked the Cary SLP-80.
I felt Cary was more musical than I-5. Is there any other integrated
tube amp that I can try.

Thank you

Varghese Devassy

Don't overlook the Rogue Audio "Tempest II"; I own one and it's an
excellence piece with plenty of power and features, including a remote
volume control. You can get more information at
http://rogueaudio.com/Products_Tempest.htm. Also they've recently
introduced a model under their new and even lower priced "Titan" series
which is detailed at http://rogueaudio.com/Products_Titan.htm.

Cheers,

Jack

vcd wrote:

Hi,

I have a SimAudio I-5 amp and recently heard and liked the Cary SLP-80.
I felt Cary was more musical than I-5. Is there any other integrated
tube amp that I can try.

Thank you

Varghese Devassy

I have a VAC Avatar SE which I am very happy with. I prefer it in the
ultralinear mode, but it can be switched to triode very easily. Also,
the amp has a fine phono stage if LPs are part of your collection. In
addition, I would consider a hybrid amp (i.e. tube preamp stage, MOSFET
output) which also will provide some of the magic tube quality and also
(probably) give you improvements in reliability and power/$$ ratio. I
have a Jolida 100wpc integrated in my second system that I have also
been happy with and it was a very nice value. In this product
category, I understand that Pathos amps should be sampled as well.

Best to you,
Michael

"drdrmike" wrote in message
...
I have a VAC Avatar SE which I am very happy with. I prefer it in the
ultralinear mode, but it can be switched to triode very easily. Also,
the amp has a fine phono stage if LPs are part of your collection. In
addition, I would consider a hybrid amp (i.e. tube preamp stage, MOSFET
output) which also will provide some of the magic tube quality and also
(probably) give you improvements in reliability and power/$$ ratio. I
have a Jolida 100wpc integrated in my second system that I have also
been happy with and it was a very nice value. In this product
category, I understand that Pathos amps should be sampled as well.

Best to you,
Michael

Hello Michael,
Of course in UL mode you have about twice the power, but can you tell us why
you prefer UL over triode mode. What differences can you distinguish. Thank
you.
Cordially,
west

I listened to the amp in triode mode a couple of weeks ago for the
first time. I rebiased the tubes (which was very necessary). At first
I thought I was hearing "airiness" or something... I had the
expectation that I was going to like the triode mode. But after a half
hour or so, I noticed some very "zingy" treble distortions. Generally,
the music (all classical) just sounded wrong... unbalanced across the
frequency range. Anyone else have an Avatar and like it in triode?