Review: Unison Research Triode 25 Amplifier

[@hawaiiguykailua6928]

I have the unico first edition with the dual tubes. It's 22 years old and more beautiful sounding today than ever:) seriously underrated company.

[@keithfallon-norris9570]

I have had this Triode 25 for around 3yrs, I don’t think I’ll ever go back to solid state, just love the musicality of this amp. Speakers ProAc D30R’s, Michell Gyro Se, Denon DL-301 II, heaven.

[@klepp19]

Keith I may get this. What other amps did you look at before going with the Triode 25?

[@philipjlavery]

So pleased to see a Unison Research amp being reviewed, thank you Steve. They make beautiful kit. I have had the UR Sinfonia for must be over 10 years now and just love it.... and yes tube rolling is fun, though can be a bit expensive... I settled on the Gold Lion KT88’s which now costs £204 for matched quads. Will I change it, probably not now, unless I win the lottery...

[@carlosbauza1139]

I have the tubed Dynaco Stereo 35, truly endearing 17.5 wpc amplifier. Its performance can be described in these words, too. And its Ultralinear design is so disarmingly simple, one can't but enjoy it with amazed delight!

[@stevescudder1507]

The tubes and wattage seem to parallel my old ST-70. Your review encourages me to do the triode switch modification. Great review!

[@billbones1000]

I am experienced! Tube guitar amps exclusively since the age of 8, all tube hifi setup. This thing is beautiful!

[@rb032682]

Me, too. I got involved with tubes the day I got my first electric guitar in 1966.

[@billbones1000]

@@rb032682 nice! Mine was a little fender champ when I was eight yrs old back in '84. I've tried SS hifi gear but quickly realised it was not for me.

[@rb032682]

@@billbones1000 - My first amp was whatever Woolworth's sold at that time. From '75 - '82 I used an Alembic tube preamp with a 400 watt BGW power amp. That is why my ears are still ringing 40 years later. Beginning around '73, it was still easy to get tubes, but the tube quality just kept getting worse, in general. That's why I went with only pre-amp tubes. My favorite guitar amp, was a 1x12 combo, Mesa Boogie Mark IV. I miss it very much, but it went to a good owner/player. I have a nice old Fisher tube receiver somewhere in the Akron, Ohio area. I'll probably never go back to Akron to retrieve it. It has a sweet sound, especially for its age.

[@billbones1000]

@@rb032682 I have a Mesa mark IV in my guitar amp collection, great amp!

[@PanAmStyle]

RB I have a The Fisher 400 and a 500C; the latter is operational, the 400 needs service and at the minimum two output tubes. I’m selling them off to fund a much needed speaker upgrade, but my main setup is all tube (phono, pre, SET power amp) and I plan on a getting an integrated tube amp for my workshop.

[@jeffstuart6420]

Great review. Well done. Love the "stay tuned" teaser. Reminds me of serials on the radio and at the movies: "Don't miss the next exciting episode when Steve and the Budget Tube Amp Battle the Vidar!!" I'll be sure to tune in.

[@jasonhoffer9017]

Steve - you are a part of my daily routine - Thank you! Review request - Prima Luna amps, Linn LP 12 episode and a DIY episode. I also love your interviews with other Audiophiles and the photos of other peoples stereos. Thanks for all your effort - I'm sure these take up a large part of your day.

[@ujean56]

Steve, you never cease to amaze me. Rare to hear a Van fan giving him props. Thanks Steve. Spot on.

[@sparkybluefox]

Push-Pull , class AB these are tube terms i LOVE to hear !

[@MangoZen]

Steve- so glad you’re doing a tube amp review. I love you man but I’m way over the ton of speaker reviewed lately. Good to bring balance to the channel. How about more turntables, cartridges, amps, preamps, digital etc? Anyhow, my favorite videos are your rants and stories from your salesman days!

[@Hare_deLune]

@Reid Smith Won't you show me, the sparkle of your China? The shine of your Japan?

[@dougg1075]

It’s a beauty! I have an old tube amp I had rebuilt/serviced and I’ve only heard it briefly. No other sperience

[@Cashmore1671]

7:45 Pacific I gave up my Dyna stereo 70 mono blocks and Marantz 7t a few years back. Fortunately I kept my Vinyl collection from 60’s70’s. Recently jumped back in and there was no question of whether I would go solid state or valves. Prima Luna 300 preamp, Prima300 power amp, Rega Planar10 with Aphelion2, EAT-E-Glo S phono stage, and a pair of the new Klipschorn AK6’s. I just turned 76 and I finally have my forever system

[@alanshayler941]

When I was a small child I remember my parents had a strange radiogram that had a built in valve amp and valves inside the speaker housings too I have no idea who made it or even how it worked but (rose tinted glasses on) it sounded wonderful rich warm inviting and you just never wanted to turn it off

[@redstarwraith]

I'm a fan of tubes and this amp seems very promising. Thanks for a great review!

[@hushpuppykl]

Unison Research makes nice amps. I had the Unico Primo and did listen to the Preludio. Only issue is, they are rated at 6ohms. So power is slightly lower than the stated output when driving 8 ohm speakers. But they do sound good.

[@vicwahbyphotography4866]

Looking forward to your affordable tube amp review(s). Hopefully, it won't have to be sent to Italy for repair either, if the need arises. Obviously, the beautiful thing about horn loudspeakers is their efficiency. This allows us to consider lower-priced tube gear, so ... We're waiting for your guidance.

[@rotaks1]

Can’t wait for the 600 buck tube amp review

[@furnaslakecottage9703]

Wish speakers do you think are a good match for this amp! Thank you

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Really any high sensitivity, over 90 dB sensitivity speaker would be a good match.

[@rudigerschmitz1997]

I use the Triode 25 with ME Geithain ME100 Speakers. Only 86db but Tube-friendly impendance curve. It sounds super great. Also playing real loud is no problem.

[@furnaslakecottage9703]

Thank you!

[@furnaslakecottage9703]

Thank you! Keep up the great work you do ❤ Greetings from Azores islands All the best ! Jose

[@nathanbell6962]

The first tube amplifier I heard I bought, a luxman lx380. It's my endgame and I love it!

[@christinearmington]

Nice to know. I’m considering Luxman.

[@nathanbell6962]

@@christinearmington hasn't missed a beat in over a year, and everything is working 💯. I use it around 10 hours a day, most days

[@christinearmington]

@@nathanbell6962 Thanks 😊

[@PanAmStyle]

I am solidly in the tube camp and don’t see me moving away. I would like to know more about the synergy between with the Cheviot. Why do you think match was better, even if the Cornwalls rendered a bigger, fuller sound? And in a smaller room, would the Cheviots be more “complete”? I’m not in the market for them, I’m just curious.

[@lynnpoole7830]

WOW, just WOW!

[@HyundaiVelosterTurbo]

I swear that dude is BAKED!I'm upgrading from a Cayin CS55a to this amp ,due in a few days.Driving Harbeth M30.1's & all cabled with Nordost Leif series...

[@locmanw1583]

How does this amp compared to Cayin cs-55a?

[@1999zrx1100]

Cool feature for the Bias adjustment. I know if it’s not set right it can cook things, they’ve made it dead simple. Brilliant 😎

[@mr.george7687]

nice review Steve, I've been wanting to try a tube integrated amp but I'm frozen in indecision. Hope you will do more Reasonably priced amps.

[@scubalbany]

george vera I got a Yarland F34c. It just blew me away and it's a steal.

[@tassostsoutis601]

@@scubalbany Where do they sell it? Cannot find it,

[@mr.george7687]

@@scubalbany Thanks for the info, how much $ ??

[@yavuzcokcaliskan8925]

Hi. Is this amp point to point wired? Thank you for your support

[@anthonynicholson5523]

If I send you my Marantz 2285b will you review it with the cornwalls?

[@WS-gs6sf]

Back in '96 I built Herb Reichert's 'Flesh & Blood' 300B-SE mono blocks from his article in Sound Practices Magazine. 15 years ago I bought David Berning's MicroZOTL ("Highly recommended times three" - Herb Reichert, Stereophile) and it drives my Klipsch La Scalas at one Watt per channel with aplomb. Both amps use 6SN7GTBs tubes. As a driver for the 300B and in a push-pull output in the MicroZOTL. ...I'm a fan.

[@michaelt.t.hansen]

Steve, have you ever reviewed a Sonus Faber speaker?

[@satoasada]

Dear Steve, Yesterday I discovered your channel and it’s great!!! Congratulations. You are doing great educational job. And the best of all, you do it in an amusing and fun way. Thank you for that!!! Having said that, it was also fun and surprising to find your review of the Unison Research Triode 25, because it is the amplifier that I have and all you have said about it, is right (in my opinion). I just wanted to say this amplifier has a great match with Living Voice IBX R3 speakers. 94 dB of sensitivity and 6 Ohms (same as Triode 25). If you have the chance, try to pair and listen both together (the Unison Research Triode 25 with the Living Voice speakers). As far as I know, Living Voice speakers (British brand) are distributed in U.S.A. by the company that manufactures “Border Patrol” amplifiers and DACs. I don’t know if there are other distributors. I’m Chilean but living in Japan since 2019. Thanks and congratulations again Steve and all the best for you and your channel. Alfredo Novoa

[@stephannordmann5346]

I love this amp it have 4 souls in one 🎉❤

[@furnaslakecottage9703]

I’m reading very nice things about this small 91 dB Poland brand . Have you hear them? Thank you Jose

[@ThatHiFiMania]

Unison Research is Italian.

[@furnaslakecottage9703]

@@ThatHiFiMania I know I have one triode 25 :) I was referring to speakers from Closer acoustics. Thank you Jose

[@ThatHiFiMania]

@@furnaslakecottage9703understood.

[@markussukram9290]

It would be great to try this amplifier with the Tannoy Arden that are similar in size with the Cornwall, so maybe they could be as magical as the Cheviot and as powerful as the Klipsch.

[@thedude6478]

I use this amp and it drives my Tannoy SRM 15x with ease and it sounds great

[@yournightmare9999]

This mousetrap looks nice 😉👌

[@adotopp1865]

I have an Opera Consonance Cyber 10 which works well with Cain & Cain Abbeys but I have not yet been able to use the Dac inside

[@trekjudas]

No other online audiophile has the stage presence and charisma that Steve has! (Michael Framer THINKS he does)

[@russredfern167]

I grew up using tube amps. Hand me down mono blocks. Tube preamp , tuner Lafayette with the eye. That was the best tuner I ever had for sensitivity not that I'm into radio now.

[@wookchang8852]

Oh- plain vanilla t-shirts! By the way I enjoy your opinion. Many thanks!

[@ritchey097]

Hi Steve, thanks for your great reviews. I got inspired by you to look into Klipsch loudspeakers after watching several reviews of you. I ended up getting the Klipsch rf 7 mk3 and I am looking for the perfect matching amp. Would you say the unison triode 25 will make the Klipsch shine? Thanks for your feedback. Best Regards, Chris

[@coletrain4121]

Thx Steve. I’m a novice but have been really curious about tubes and if they are for me. I came by the PrimaLuna Prologue Classic which seems to offer quite a bit of value at an attainable price. Do you ever review Prima Luna products? A question generated during this video seems to have been answered there at the end. I wondered whether it’s even worth worth dipping below say $1500 for a tube amp at all. Looking forward to hearing your comments on this upcoming budget amp.

[@cliffordcostley9798]

Great review Steve. While you have the Triode 25 could you arrange to pair it with Unison's Max Mini loudspeakers? Also, when you review the $500.00 tube amp, could you try it with Omega's very efficient loudspeakers if any are available? For those of us whom have smaller rooms. Happy listening.

[@kostasrestas]

well done! i have dali concept 6 floor speakers with 10 years old denon pma 700ae amp.(2x50 at 8Ω only) i have and meridian explorer 2 dac right out from my pc. i want to buy new amp and im between from Marantz NR1200 and Denon DRA-800H..for music stereo use and maybe with subwoofer at near future.. any sugestions???

[@jeromejax8675]

I have a Prima Luna HP Integrated Amp with KT-150 tubes. 😁

[@jan9]

GamuT pre/amps are worth checking out. Fantastic performance and very valve/tube like, as close as it gets with transistors.

[@satoasada]

Yes. They make awesome equipment.

[@jsmctch]

Many of us subscribers were hoping when you announced you had a review of a tube amp coming up it was going to be a Primaluna. We're still waiting and hoping....Patiently ofcourse. What do you say Steve?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Yes, your wish will likely come true

[@juliaset751]

I have a Primaluna Dialog Integrated. I must say that playing with the Triode/Pentode switch is a real ear opener, as well as the tube rolling. A ton of fun.

[@johnsweda2999]

The $500 tube amp is it bridgeable if that's the case that's not too bad if you get two may be worth trying out

[@phebe]

I am trying to make a power supply for a Simply Phono, any idea what the power supply is? any data wud help..thanks

[@johnlafferty8726]

Great reviews Steve, as usual. Having just purchased a set of Cornwall fours, I was hoping the unison would it have been a better match. What were the shortcomings with that pairing?

[@craigmelissa12]

Steve, how does this compare to say, the PrimaLuna EVO 300-400 Integrated amps? Thanks

[@Spierdalajyoutube]

Unison research or decware?

[@Consoul909]

Does a Marshall JCM800 count as experienced? ;)

[@saquibhussain6000]

Can you explain if the same experience can be had (or better) with a tube preamp and a solid state amp? How much of the sonic color is due to the preamp stage?

[@JoJo-mz5bc]

Steve, your buddy Herb Reichert raved about the Elekit-tu 8600R paired with your fave Klipsch RP-600M. I know the Elekit is a DIY kit but I'm sure they'd send you a completed one for review. Would love to know your thoughts.

[@novicatoncic6908]

Steve, you said you happily returned to solid state! Why???Give me the main reason.

[@machintelligence]

I grew up in the era when tubes were the only way amplifiers were built. I was underwhelmed, but possibly because I never had a high end model. They were about as expensive then (relatively) as they are today. The transition to solid state happened in my teens; and in my twenties I bought a quality transistor receiver and never looked back. Judging from the tube complement, rectification must be done with solid state diodes and it must be possible to run beam power pentodes as simple triodes. It never occurred to me that anyone would want to do so, since it reduces the power output by about one half. At only 45/25 watts per channel, the price seems a bit steep.

[@harryconover289]

machintelligence More than half more like 30 percent, also early transistor were pretty bad newer ones are quite good a big part of people likening tubes is there not a analytical tool there nice and smooth

[@maxcoutinho3879]

As usual loved your review. I have been using this amplifier for the last 4.5 years with no regrets. Unfortunately, yesterday the amplifier blew an internal fuse, the one in the F2 position. I will get a replacement for it and replace it. In the meantime, I decided to look at the internal fuses in the other positions too(F1,F2,F3,F4 and F5 respectively) and surprisingly they all had different values. I then checked the manual and it said T3.15A L250V and mentioned fuses so am assuming that it means all fuses internal as well as external to have this rating. The UR website mentions this rating too. Are all of the fuses supposed to have a rating of T3.15A L250V ? I know it is common to have fuses with multiple ratings based on the circuit they protect, however the word "Fuses" instead of a singular "Fuse" in the manual has confused me. It would be great if you could confirm this and share the correct ratings these fuses are supposed to have. 4 years ago some fuse had blown and the dealer(who is no longer a UR dealer) had replaced it. I don't recall which ones hence am worried if these ratings are correct. Thanks in advance for all your help and advice and I also wanted to take this opportunity to wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

[@satoasada]

Just a suggestion: Always try to have the “service manuals” of all your equipment. With the service manuals you will always have the chance to fix any problems without depending on the official distributors, specially if those equipments are out of their warranty period.

[@rexoliver7780]

YES!FIREBOTTLES!Biasing no problem to me.I have bias tube amps-PP in hi-fit amps,Gfiddle amps and AM,SW transmitter modulator stages-adjusted a TRIODE PP amp that is 125Kw.Love the sound and the smell of HOT GLASS1-esp if the tubed amp is in a wood cabinet-like the woodsy smell!I own Leak,McIntosh tubed amps.

[@sixstringsdown1]

Steve, how does this amp compare to a similarly priced DECWARE AMP?

[@craigmelissa12]

Would PSB T2 Imagine Tower speakers with 90db sensitivity work with the Triode 25?

[@paulroscelli2545]

Could it drive KEF ref ones?

[@2ChukBuk]

Would love to obtain an integrated tube amp or receiver that would match well with my old Klipsch Heresy speakers and not break the bank. Looking forward to that video from Steve.

[@NickP333]

Please, no more tube-y jokes! There’s only 13 comments up, and 3 of em are that joke. JK, I love it. Lol Thanks for the review, Steve. That amp is beautiful!

[@60zeller]

Nick Pantazi still not as bad as when a Schiit product gets reviewed

[@NickP333]

60zeller Haha! So very true...

[@susannequirk1770]

I wanted to here it. Excellent review though!

[@marcraley9624]

Does a Fender Twin Reverb count as experienced?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Marc Raley Definitely

[@Hare_deLune]

Sounds like someone's been listening to Hendrix again recently...

[@henrikl1394]

Yes, My Preamp is Tube, Poweramp is an hybrid.

[@moodyga40]

i build all my own tube amps and preamp

[@heinrichschulz3598]

More careful matching required with tube amp, room acoustics aside, because of low DF. Results/impressions will vary according to speaker impedance, speaker wire gauge and run length. Then there is output impedance and the speakers ideal response curve. The whole system must be matched.

[@borlach321]

Jesus, if that sounds as good as it looks I want one! Beautiful!! Could those drive Dali or KEF?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

In Pentode I'm sure it will be groovy with KEF and Dali, as long as you're not into really loud.

[@AntoineThisdale]

I have been using a Unison Research Nuovo for the past 8 years. Just now, moved up to a Leben CS300XS. The UR lines are great sounding, but have their querks.

[@dubravkosimag2860]

HI, could you, please, share your experience with Leben? I'm using Unico even longer then 8 years (don't ask :-)), but it's time to change. Triode 25 was on my radar, too.

[@Labor_Jones]

it's been about a year since you did the Denafraps and the price now is over $1,000 just saying in case you want to up date.

[@alext2933]

I think you said that the Amphions are 85db/w/m sensitivity. Is is not a little unfair to try to drive this with so little power? I thought these Amphions needed juice. The other two speakers you mention are large, sensitive units, aimed at tube listeners with high-nineties dbs in sensitivity. Thought it a little odd to not mention this here. The unhappy handshake is thus not very surprising.

[@bujormunteanu928]

Hi. Can you make a comment about Unison Research Simply Italy please. I want to upgrade the Rega BRIO. My system contains Rega Planar, Cadenza BlacK, Set up rega, Lehmann Black Cube preamp. , Brio amp and jbl studio 290 (fidelity 91db) speakers. Thank you

[@andrewganley9016]

Does anyone know if KT88s can be fitted to this amp?

[@rb032682]

I gotta check out that Van Morrison recording with the studio chatter. It is fascinating to witness a hit record being born.

[@stevefick3919]

F--- ME! You got it right this time, Steve-O! Love your vids!

[@mpitogo]

tubes? what’s dat?

[@furnaslakecottage9703]

They are from Closer acoustics

[@dwaynesbadchemicals]

Jimi allusion. Yes!

[@JohnDoe-np3zk]

Not necessarily stoned, but beautiful. CJ MV-45 and CJ PV-6 and PV-10B. Uncle Kevin special tubes. Only problem is no speaker for it, maybe the Magnepan LRS worthy of a try. They did sound good with the PV-10B and Solid State power amps. Anyway sorry won't be spending 4k for this one but I would have some great tubes to roll in it...

[@andrewt902]

This appears to be a clone of or homage to vintage Marantz gear. Considering the stratospheric prices Saul's wonderments can command, this may not be such a bad deal. Yes I am tube experienced and any 6L6 variant (like the EL34) isn't my cup of tea. John Lennon however was a fan. Any confirmation to my theory that the "4,000 holes" lyric in "A Day in the Life" is in part a reference to EL34s made by Mullard in Blackburn, Lancashire?

[@Chris.from.1950]

Andrew T According to Wikipedia “Lennon wrote the song's final verse inspired by a Far & Near news brief, in the same 17 January edition of the Daily Mail that had inspired the first two verses.[17] Under the headline "The holes in our roads", the brief stated: "There are 4,000 holes in the road in Blackburn, Lancashire, or one twenty-sixth of a hole per person, according to a council survey...”

[@andrewt902]

Chris Noto I do know the news story. However, Mullard EL34s marked XF1, acknowledged as the best sounding, were manufactured in Blackburn and are distinguished by the holes in their anode plate. They would be more capable of filling the Albert Hall, similar to the famous Peter Walker demonstrations of Quad gear at the Hall. I take the lyric to have meaning on more than one level, as in a Joycean pun. I believe Lennon preferred the EL34 in both his instrument amplification as well as audio reproduction.

[@brandonburr4900]

Try a Japanese kit tube headphone/speaker amp. Good for efficient speakers and as a bonus you get autobias, switching between pentode, triode and ultra linear mode. One of the real stars is using these as headphone amps. And you can made them better and upgrade them as time goes by and it scales really well with better dacs and streamers😀

[@victorbregeon594]

Hey, I'm designing and building my own tube amplifiers. Are there any features that would be useful for an amplifier and that lack in the tube audio industry?

[@Hare_deLune]

How about a minimalist base/cabinet design, made to minimise resonances as much as possible? Also, total seperation of the signal paths for each channel, and very short signal paths with direct wiring wherever possible? : D

[@victorbregeon594]

@@Hare_deLune Do you think there is any point in making like a two monoblocs in one? And what is most important between power consumption and linearity, because it is possible to get incredible results using transformerless tube amps (I think Steve never tried one) but you need like 20 power tubes to run at a decent power? And I don't really get the resonances that you're talking about

[@Hare_deLune]

@@victorbregeon594 I didn't know about transformerless tube amps, but they sound interesting. Do I think there is any point in making something like two monoblocks in one? Obviously, yes I do, otherwise I would not have mentioned it. It is a proven design which can give superior results. Perhaps not as good as monoblocks themselves, but some people need something more compact. At any rate, keeping the left and right signal paths separated is always better. As for resonance: Nearly every tube amp I have ever seen has a base that is made in part of stamped metal. That thin metal sheeting will resonate at certain frequencies, from vibrations given off by the flow of electrical current, by pressure waves in the air generated by the playing of music, and by vibrations picked up from the floor if the amp isn't protected from them in some way. Since tubes in particular are known to be sensitive to vibrations to the point of being microphonic, it stands to reason that you would want to do everything possible to eliminate or reduce any source of vibration and resonance coming into contact or going through them, which will negatively affect the sound. This concept applies to every good sound system without exception, but most particularly to those using tubes.

[@victorbregeon594]

@@Hare_deLune I think 'two monoblocs in one' can outperform normal monoblocs ; with good shielding and it reduces cable length anyway, I tend to find that even if monoblocs are beautiful creatures they are quite messy on the wiring side. Yes I see your point now, but the most microphonic sensitives tubes are small-signal pentodes, not really used in the HiFi world. But it would be very very interesting to mount a tube device on suspension like turntables and compare it to the same device without suspension :D And thank you for this very interesting conversation

[@victorbregeon594]

@@Hare_deLune And maybe it is worth trying to build chassis out of a solid bloc of aluminum or wood to avoid the resonances in the junctions.

[@henriksrensen5958]

One of the best ss integrated amplifiers is Danish Aavik

[@carlitomelon4610]

Nice, but this is really a 45w Ultralinear pentode/tetrode amp that also does Triode mode? And yes I'm experienced: But not "hi-end" ( as JA said recently:"it's hard to design a bad tube amp" ;-) I keep a (Chi-Fi) Silk Audio ms38 EL34 tube amp in my second system. I listen to it every morning. Tubes do high volume so gracefully, you can't help loving their character! I've rolled in NOS GE and Mullard signal triodes and reproduction Mullard and Gold Lion power tubes. It does Ultralinear and Triode mode. Metal remote too! And it was only $650 new! It's a fancy version of the Yaqin ms34. Maybe one day I'll get a Primaluna: but I hear they're less Tubey according to Thomas.... I actually prefer the Mullard el34 and GE triodes for that;-) Steve: Is this amp point to point wired or a circuit board? That might explain the huge price difference

[@Chris.from.1950]

$4,000? Ack! An order of magnitude out of my price range. Also, Steve, it was interesting to hear you recommend digital devices to use with the amp, that were, each, well under the $1,000 mark!

[@chadbarker2316]

Sweet ass Amp!

[@tihomirkalinov3321]

Shown amplifier is Push-pull, and it's not as good as Single Ended. The other important thing about the tube amplifiers are the speakers. The speakers have to be with hard suspension ( Paper Folding Ring), high sensitivity and light membranes. Usually the big speakers have heavy membranes, that are very difficult to control with a tube amplifier.

[@billdunn8542]

👍

[@NerdyMeathead]

Tube--ee or not tube--ee that is the question you get to answer if you buy this

[@alexandervaneijken7741]

I would advise a Chinese valve amplifier (you are spoilt for choice) They are now far better than the main stream industry suggests.

[@alexandervaneijken7741]

@Jason Reyes Hello Jason: here goes: Raphaelite ,Cayin, Meixing, Wiltinson, e.g. you cannot go wrong

[@damirhlobik6488]

I had Primaluna Prologue Two, nice tube integrated, since I had to buy new set (4) of power tubes, price was third of the new amp price...thank you, to expensive

[@zsvrljuga1]

I have smaller Unison, Simply Italy, only 12w, I like it so much with all of cavities which brings only 12w, so in my future I see "bigger" Unison.

[@tothemax324]

Dynaco ST 70 tube pwr amp + Shiit Freya tube pre = 10

[@anthonynicholson5523]

Jimi Hendrix reference noticed.

[@ianyates7742]

You call them tubs in the us, in the uk we call them valves anyway tube valve it’s the only way I listen when I want to get serious about my music listening

[@lynnpoole7830]

I agree but I do enjoy certain Pass Labs pure class A amps (that sound tube-y).

[@rickzolla4133]

Nice amp. I'm a PrimaLuna man myself.

[@airwatersun]

Steve your viewers should know they can buy a refurbished vintage tube integrated amp like a Scott 299 for about a thousand...

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Now they know.

[@airwatersun]

Info gives everyone options...ain't it great? That amp looks very nice and offers some nice features but it would be riveting to hear a shootout with a properly recapped Scott or Eico integrated...let alone a Heathkit SA2 that costs even less than a Scott at around $5-600...all in.

[@progressiveguy9959]

To tubey or not to tubey....THAT is the question.