Best Integrated, period.

Hi Dave, Mapman - i've responded to your questions in the review section of the forum as i didn't want to divert attention away from the central thread topic. Regards.

I listened recently to the JRDG Continuum 500 was other than a few niggling concerns was reasonably impressed. My review was posted on the forum at www.audioenz.co.nz

09-09-08: Mapman
Kiwi_1282001,

It indicates you compared to MBL amplification but not what kind of hybrid amp you normally use with your planars?

Sorry, my present hybrid amp is a Unison Research Unico SE. Its a Stereophile class A amp - but it certainly is not the 'best integrated, period'!

Last year I bought a Gryphon Diablo integrated amplifier after spending more than six months evaluating options including the Jeff Rowland Continuum C-500, the GamuT DI-150; the AMR AM-77; the Unison Research Unico 200 and the Plinius Hiato (to name some). I wrote about my experience in detail Here

Almost a year on there has not been a single moment of buyers remorse – other than when I tried to pair the Gryphon with an ESL speaker which did not work out. No problem. I also own valve amplification which was better for that specific task. Currently the Gryphon is driving dynamic speakers from Eben Acoustics (Raidho) and the pairing is simply wonderful. There must be something in the water in Denmark. The Danes seem to create some awesome audio products.

Hi Rottenclam, I am interested to read that you've paired the Gryphon with Quad ESL speakers. I've recently been trying out different ESL's (most lately Kingsound, Martin Logan and Sanders Audio) and i've generally found the Gryphon / ESL combo's too stark for my taste.

Wow, higher end Rockports are really something. Do try others in a similar price category though [Avalon, Eben, Hansen to name some].

When deciding on a integrated amp for purchase, the most critical thing to look for are the noise level's. If the amp and preamp in the integrated have S/N levels below 100 db's than you will wind up with a noisy product

So in your opinion the VAC Sigma 160i which has a glowing review above - but has a dismal 69 dB S/N ratio must be a flawed product?

So Audiozen, if it is all about the S/N performance what do you think of the Devialet D-Premier? It cites a 130dB SNR and that my friend is without filters (unweighted).