Trilogy Audio Systems "921 Integrated amplifier". (< $8K).
On the subject of "Giant Killers", this is the best value integrated amp I've heard in many years. Will easily put it's musical prowess solidly in the $ 15-20K range. based upon musicality, balance, cohesiveness, and build quality. Capable of equal performance at any volume level, and supremely neutral in its "flavor". Finally, reliability has been rock solid (Based upon 7 years of experience with Trilogy).
35 year old UK company quietly building exception products.
(Full Disclosure ... We are in the business and have been importing a great many exclusive audio products for 15+ years. Trilogy may be our finest all "around amplifier company find" to date with products from $2K - $60K. Call us about 921 Integrated demo in your own home.)
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How can you hear/compare anything from YouTube to you own kit? Even with headphones, YouTube can’t give you the same quality.
@curiousjim - YouTube? I’ve never evaluated using YouTube because too many unreliable variables- microphone types, microphone placements, recorders expertise, room acoustics….
I physically go to audio stores and shows to demo.
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Moon gear is really rather special IMHO. My system now comprises the 600 and 700 series kit. Having heard the 641 I would concur with the reviewer’s opinion.
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Costa, good for you. That shows admirable business integrity and concern for your customers.
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Everyone's looking for that esoteric piece that's made in some garage with the attendant secret sauce to shake things up and lay bare to the audio world the absolute truth.
Get off the merry-go-round. Reorient yourself to recognize what it is you hear and what appeals to you.
Technology has matured enough to the point where it's just what floats your boat. All makes and manufacturers know this and spend their time guesstimating what it is you want to hear.
Go out and listen to as many things as you can. In short order you'll know what you like and then factor in your budget and needs. Also, keep in mind this is a racket.
So true!
Based on my experience, the only system component(s) of which I remain convinced that one generally gets what they pay for is loudspeakers. Though of course there are plenty of overpriced duds out there, as well as some high value models.
Ironically, many, it not most audiophiles have electronics that far outclass the capabilities of their speakers. I would even go so far as to say that these days, even $15K/pair speakers can fail to reveal the full capabilities of a $300 modern DAC.
I’d wager that regardless of the current state of their system, 90% of audiophiles should be looking at a speaker or room upgrade as their next move in terms of bang for buck.
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I have been using a Simaudio Moon ACE (a much less expensive integrated) for about a year now. I use it for streaming as well as a phono preamp with my Marantz TT-15. It drives my Dynaudio speakers well, and I use the headphone amp with my HD650's and Quad ERA-1's. The MiND interface is very easy to connect and easy to use. The ACE looks and feels very high quality, and the output from this integrated unit is really impressive. The sound quality is extremely satisfying. I love it, and I would absolutely purchase it again.
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@costa94109 I love my Moon phono preamp and I would love to hear an integrated but I would have to drive 3 hours to hear one. And would the dealer let me borrow it?
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"I’m a little puzzled that Sim doesn’t have a bigger presence in USA"
While I totally understand that point of view, we have always taken a very conservative approach to selecting our retail partners. We would rather not have any retailer in a particular city, for example, than having one that does not meet our standards of quality representation, customer service and business integrity, which in turn would be a disservice to customers. We are working towards expanding our retail network, but it is a slow and careful process for us.
Costa Koulisakis
Simaudio Ltd.
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Bargain means something different to everyone. Now that’s out of the way, the SimAudio equipment is excellent and worth a listen. I’m a little puzzled that Sim doesn’t have a bigger presence in USA. I really like their digital gear, both source and DACs. Very natural sounding to me.
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Simaudio is a reputable quality brand with a 10 year warranty program. After that it becomes a matter of sound preference at similar price point. I agree with kerrybh about the 390 - pream with integrated DAC and phono stage of high quality and functionality. I own one and run it with a Pass XA25. It is difficult to beat at this price point.
There North Collection is definitely worth a listening test.
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Pass Labs INT-60
Class A for 1st 30 watts
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@kennyc
How can you hear/compare anything from YouTube to you own kit? Even with headphones, YouTube can’t give you the same quality.
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I used a moon 390 preamp- streamer- dac for several years ( since replaced with separates)and thought it performed very well. I also have a moon phono stage and it is excellent. Simaudio is a quality brand and certainly worth auditioning
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Julian Hirsch set back the industry. He lied. His testing equipment was terrible. He belittled those who were identifying that circuits behaved differently under dynamic conditions rather than the static conditions that he measured. I regret that I cannot be remotely positive about his legacy.
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And treat your room! That would be a real treat for yourself. And floss.
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Everyone's looking for that esoteric piece that's made in some garage with the attendant secret sauce to shake things up and lay bare to the audio world the absolute truth.
Get off the merry-go-round. Reorient yourself to recognize what it is you hear and what appeals to you.
Technology has matured enough to the point where it's just what floats your boat. All makes and manufacturers know this and spend their time guesstimating what it is you want to hear.
Go out and listen to as many things as you can. In short order you'll know what you like and then factor in your budget and needs. Also, keep in mind this is a racket.
All the best,
Nonoise
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On what planet is $11000 a bargain?
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Early on when evaluating speakers I demoed with Moon electronics, I was underwhelmed. So going forward never considered the brand. Occasionally read some good reviews of their phono stages.
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I ate breakfast at the same table with Alan Taffel years ago at a stereo show. Had some talks with him and thought he was a complete joke!
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Moon equipment is a lot nicer than people give them credit for. You can listen to SimAudio at Safe and Sound in Chicopee MA
I agree. It doesn't have as high a profile in the US as it does up here in Canada but the units I have auditioned have stood up very well. In fact I bought a Moon DAC that I liked a lot better than a unit that cost twice the price.
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The ONLY thing keeping SO CALLED,High End Audio alive,ESPECIALLY Analog, is what Dr.Julian Hirsch called the "Soft Porn Manipulation" by Audio Equipment Reviewers of the subconscious GULLIBILITY ..
Hirsch was an EE. He wasn't a doctor. And he never said what you claim.
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Shouting about it doesnt help your weak point. Julian was one of my mentors. When I studied with him he shared that, in fact, he did hear differences in the sound of power amplifiers. However, it was his opinion that the differences were so minimal as to be of no consequence.
So actually, it was simply a value judgement on his part, as it is for all of us, what has value and what does not. See, I got through a whole post without putting a slew of words in caps, LOL.
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The ONLY thing keeping SO CALLED,High End Audio alive,ESPECIALLY Analog, is what Dr.Julian Hirsch called the "Soft Porn Manipulation" by Audio Equipment Reviewers of the subconscious GULLIBILITY of those who subscribe to them & the self-aggrandizing status attached to the purchase of said products...
THIS is why matched level,double blind listening tests were murdered by the audio equipment reviewing industry after his passing!
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TAS Alan Taffel reviewed the Simaudio Moon 641 Integrated Amp in Stereophile:
Did he, really?
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Moon equipment is a lot nicer than people give them credit for. You can listen to SimAudio at Safe and Sound in Chicopee MA.
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