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Hi everyone,
I am a proud papa this weekend. My daughter has been after me for a few months to set up a vinyl rig in her room and this weekend we put it together. She is upstairs happily spinning "Vampire Weekend: Contra" as we speak (thank you, Urban Outfitters!)
The setup could be more compact, so I am seeking recommendations for decent tube integrated amps with phono sections that can handle MM cartridges and have a reasonably small footprint.
A few come to mind - Dyna SCA-35 and a couple of Eico's, but these have gotten pretty dear in the last few years. Any sleepers out there that sound reasonable, but don't cost an arm and a leg?
TIA,
David
Follow Ups:
I ended up finding a deal on a Dyna SCA-35, so that's going to be the starting point. After I got that home, I realized I have a Scott 233 somewhere in the garage - it will probably get rotated in at some point.
However, I do appreciate all the recommendations - I need something for the workbench after I've rotated the Scott out.
Marty mentioned the Stromberg Carlson ASR-433 and it is a fabulous little integrated amp as well.
Honest amplification is better than excessive 2nd order distortion anytime.
My personal favorite is the Bell Carillion 6060, but can be a bit pricy these days and hard to find. Bell made a 6V6 version, the 3030 - also a very nice integrated.
The budget and speakers can help in making a meaningful suggestion.
On a tight budget, I would suggest looking for one of the lesser known Japanese imports such as from Philmore or Calrad. They were quite small, easy to build and restore. Most used the 6bm8 for outputs. Also, quite inexpensive generally to pick up. In a little larger size and usually needing a cabinet build look for a pair of the Grommes Little Jewel amps. Most were mono, but at the end of their production they did have a stereo version. These were produced over it seems forever and depending on vintage with a number of different tube compliments. These as a group were a little more powerful than the afore mentioned Japanese amps.
I really like the Dynaco SCA35, a favorite but after getting one, they generally unless very gently used will require fairly expensive investments. The small EICO likely would be a better choice.
What player will she be using? I might suggest something that is not soft sprung such as an AR, and maybe with an automatic function for setdown, lift and shutoff. A belt drive might be better than a puck drive to avoid her not shutting it down right and flattening the puck, maybe something like a BIC 980. As for a cartridge, I would suggest something that a DJ would use as they tend to be able to take more abuse, such as a Stanton 500 series or low end Grado.
Don Brian Levy, J.D.
Toronto ON Canada
Like the 2020 and 2040. Thses are updates of the classic Eico deaings that for some reason are not as valuable. Others have mentioned Pilot. For some reason Pilot integrateds are not considered as good as their basic amps. Same transformers and amp circuits though. Harmon Kardon Award series are also relatively inexpensive. For something newer, there are several Jolida integrated amps that are available used for about the same cost as vintage.
What is your budget and how much repair work do you want to perform?
Good luck!
p-p 12AX7s + EL-84s!
very nice phono section
"the only thing necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing"
nt
and now having a fully rebuilt Sherwood - they're in two different classes!
The Dynaco is nice, but the others mentioned are far and away much better. Besides any one you get is going to need restoring. However, the dyna is simple and can be done by a novice. The others - ah - I wouldn't even attempt to work on them!
charles
Pilot made some nice tube integrateds if you can find one.
Well, the Sherwoods and many of the Scotts are small foot print. The EL84 based Sherwoods are great, but have gotten expensive, but the 7591 and 7868 based ones are probably still pretty reasonable. The Scotts are quite good too. Of course all should have their power supplies rebuilt and coupling caps changed at a minimum. If you want the phono to sound the best then change the coupling caps and RIAA parts in there as well. Probably the plate load resistors to keep it quiet.
cheers,
Don
Agreed!
Honest amplification is better than excessive 2nd order distortion anytime.
Scotts are great but with all that point to point, they are not for a novice.
Dave
All the vintage integrated tube amps have point to point other than the Mac MA230 in the preamp section which is solid state..Surprisingly it is very good if it's properly upgraded.
Honest amplification is better than excessive 2nd order distortion anytime.
Hi Mikey,
My mistake. I only have 4 tube integrated amps, 2 Scott 222D's, a Dynaco SCA35 and a Pioneer. The SC-35 and the Pioneer have circuit boards. The 222D looks very complex to me, and looks like it would be a handful for a beginner (or anyone else).
Dave
'
Now now Dave
I'm just phone call away and I can walk you thru anything you need.If you change the air bag suspension on a Mark 8 without having the air ride suspension light come on,you can do a 222D.
Honest amplification is better than excessive 2nd order distortion anytime.
That's even the same color as my interior, although my steering wheel is dark. My exterior is dark green, and yes my air ride suspension light is not on! Thanks! I will keep that in mind. I think it might have enough juice to drive my Spendors. I don't play that loud, and can switch speakers when I want to.
Dave
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