Tube Amps for Home Audio

[betaphase]

Hi everyone,

I know that this isn't exactly the right board for this, but I didn't know where else to go right now (plus I didn't really feel like looking). I'm curious about home audio amplifiers that use tubes. I've been familiar with these for a long time from having seen them in a home theater store and briefly spoken to people about them, but I haven't had a chance to really listen to one. I was wondering what everyone here might think about those amps. I am curoius about what they cost, and also how would one hook up components to these? I assume there must be something like a receiver but without an amp built in. I also assume that this type of unit would have to be a true bypass sort of thing such that the sound could be pure and not contaminated by interferences from other components and what not. Anyone here familiar with this sort of thing? What do you think?

 

[boingoman]

I've heard a couple and thought they sounded great. They are very expensive, though. A friend of mine picked one up at a stereo store going out of business. 10W per channel, stereo, $600. Sounds amazing. I would expect to pay $500 per channel for something that won't disappoint you, unless you find a good deal or go used.