Price: $2995

Website: www.ravenaudio.com

Oliver said: The Avian Nighthawk MK3 isn’t one of those esoteric amps designed only for special tastes: It is the budget amp for music lovers of any stripe, and a must-hear for anyone shopping for a tubed amp.

Reviewers' Choice

Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.

The gist: Great tube sound needn’t cost a fortune.