Best Integrated, period.

Musical Fidelity NuVista 800. I ended up buying it too.

12-06-14: Mbovaird
Musical Fidelity NuVista 800. I ended up buying it too.

The best integrated? Really? Better than the Kondo Ongaku, Vitus SIA-025 and Burmester 909 Mk5? No amplifier sold by MusicDirect is the "Best Integrated, period" lol!

Have you heard it?

I don't believe it to be the best out there but I currently have a Luxman class A 590 paired with Verity Parsifal Encore speakers. Ayre dac and Mac mini. Also a vintage Yamaha tuner and vintage Yamaha turntable for fun. Variety of Nordost cables.

I've been all over the map for 20 years, but with the Luxman Verity combo, I no longer look at the classified ads. I might check on occasion to see what's changing in the market, but I'm never driven to upgrade. That's me, I'm home, you have to find what sounds best to your ears and your budget.

There is no best, but there is a certain mix of fear and ego that seems to drive some audio people. It's prevalent in all passions and adds to the richness.

On another note, my parents drove 1,000 miles to visit this summer. My dad asked me to look at his new SUV. He popped the trunk and there was all the McIntosh gear I grew up listening to. It's late 70's and early 80 SS but the thought and having it is just wonderful. There is some low volume hum, but once things get going the noise seems to disappear. It's probably not worth the restoration costs to bring it to bench standards, but the system brings back great memories!

Melbguy1, have you, or any others here, heard Ypsilon's Phaethon?
Perhaps not BEST EVER, but apparently well up the performance curve by those who've heard it

http://www.ypsilonelectronics.com/product/18/phaethon.html

Fla, I wasn't aware of the Phaethon until you mentioned it. Yeah that integrated is approaching the price territory of the Vitus. I heard the top flight Ypsilon gear at the Melbourne Audio & AV show this year including the mono's, twin SET-100's, pre, dac, transport, phono stage & SUT and was impressed with warm, inviting and musically engaging sound. Though the Continuum Caliburn might have helped a bit ;)

12-06-14: Mbovaird
Have you heard it?

Well my brother owns an MF M6i and I thought that sounded cold and unmusical. Yes, the Nu-Vista 800 would be much better, you can only get so much out of a business model like theirs. Musical Fidelity remind me of the loudest kid in the class who is really just a mid-fielder. I find their pr irritating, and some of their claims outlandish to be honest. Comments like "new mega super integrated" underscore how they trade on slogans. Much of the technology they portray as their own pioneering work (with the exception of the nuvistor tubes) has been used for decades by high end companies like Boulder and Vitus. This is a very good amp, yes. But it's not in the same league as the amps I mentioned.

In other words, no.

I have heard the Audio Note, Vitus and own the NuVista 800. The Audio Note has limited application due to its limited power and exorbitant price. The Vitus is excellent and my second favorite, but again, a little more power would be nice and the price increases here in NA continue to climb and climb. The brand is also, unfortunately, poorly represented here.

I've been on a mission the past 18 months trying to find the ultimate integrated for my family room system. I've tried several, including VAC, Devialet, Musical Fidelity, Line Magnetic, Rowland, Vitus, Mc, ARC, and many others.

We can agree on this much, when I owned my Magico S5's, there was simply no better synergy/match than Vitus.

The NuVista 800 may not be the best, since there truly can be no "best", but given its price, power and wonderful sonic characteristics, it is a terrific piece and the one I selected for my speakers.

I too believe that the BEST depends on one's taste, the associated equipment and the room. I like the Exemplar Audio for the sound and it's rather affordable price. I hope to hear the Musical Fidelity someday too but I wish the US suppliers would take a hint from their UK counterparts and offer a full purchase price of your current amp toward the purchase of a new Musical Fidelity Nu Vista 800. Oh well it is Christmas and maybe Christmas wishes do come true. Anyway Good Luck at finding your BEST integrated amp and happy listening!!!!

It would be nice to compare the NuVista with the DarTZeel and Vitus SIA-25.

@everyone. System synergy is important. If you need a lot of power the musical fidelity is a great choice. I've heard a lot of gear. Like have have the revel studio 2 and they are power hungry. So some of the less powerful integrated amplifiers won't work. The Nu Vista 800 is the best piece of equipment I have heard from Musical Fidelity. In the right system it can be great. The KR audio 900 is also a beast. I've heard it with Gato Speakers and it flat out beat systems that were 7 times the price. Well synergy is at work always. Some guys throw the big names out and because it carries a reputation and in a lot of cases it might not be the right fit. There are a lot of great intergrateds at different price points that are great performers. Usually if you pay more you will get better but not always. If you put a high quality integrated in the right situation and you can get magic. Sometimes I hear expensive gear matched wrong and it doesn't get it done. I've heard systems like that and go wow not moving me. If you put some of that audio jewelry that some of these guys talk about in the wrong situation most of the time it doesn't work. That's just my opinion though I've only heard 10 systems that cost more than most people's nice houses cost. I've heard them blow me away or I've heard them lose to systems that cost 1/8th of what they cost.

Well said Calvinj.

The amp I mentioned earlier has *plenty* of power and can drive most speakers with ease. Heck it drives my 88db, 4 ohm S5's in a medium size room...no problem. But power without magic is is just impressive for a while, then the novelty wears away when you realize something is missing from the music. As an audiophile of 24 years, I've learnt judging an amplifiers ability to control a given speaker load based on headline figures like RMS power is folly. An amp's ability to produce high current, remain stable under load and operate as efficiently as possible are the more important factors imho. For example, most audiophile toroids lose up to 25% voltage, whilst the SIA-025's UI-core transformer lose 1.5% max (tested). But that's really only the start of the story of what makes an amp sound good.

Seems someone belly ached about me pointing out how a certain member here flips his gear more than Snoop Dog changes his shoes, and thus has no credibility. I actually don't care about other member's opinions. I'm content I know exactly what direction I want to take with my system and how to achieve it. I'm just methodically executing each step in the process. Effusive statements about how great the latest "flavor of the month" is don't impress me at all. I get bored and go back to my music.

The amp I mentioned earlier has *plenty* of power and can drive most speakers with ease. Heck it drives my 88db, 4 ohm S5's in a medium size room...no problem. But power without magic is is just impressive for a while, then the novelty wears away when you realize something is missing from the music. As an audiophile of 24 years, I've learnt judging an amplifiers ability to control a given speaker load based on headline figures like RMS power is folly. An amp's ability to produce high current, remain stable under load and operate as efficiently as possible are the more important factors imho. For example, most audiophile toroids lose up to 25% voltage, whilst the SIA-025's UI-core transformer lose 1.5% max (tested). But that's really only the start of the story of what makes an amp sound good.

Soulution 530. 501 monos and 520 pre in one box instead of 3.

@melbguy1. I fully expected you to respond that way. You did not disappoint. I however will not concern myself with the comments you made. I'm just sharing my experiences with the fellow audiophiles on this forum. It doesn't make me right or wrong. It's just makes my point of view different. I have been blessed to have listened to gear all the way up to the raidho d5 this year. I spent a great deal of time with the veloce ls1 this year. Harry Pearson had that particular model in his system before he passed away. I don't claim to know anymore than anyone else and I'm not going to push my opinions on anyone about gear. I set out 5 years ago to go on an audio journey that would allow me to come to some conclusions about audio and my system. Yes, I've been blessed to be able to try gear every 3 months so I could find out what I really wanted. I have settled on High fidelity ultimate IC and power cord. I have decided on the audio research ref3. There is better out there but based on price and performance it works for me. I have a resonessence invicta dac. I'm still deciding on my power amplifíer. It will be the last piece I need. Let's understand a couple of things first. I'm not going to let you attack me like you did a couple of other folks on other forums without saying what I see at least one time. You seem to be like a lot of audiophiles I know. If you disagree with some of them they lash out. They come out swinging hard because they seem to think they are smarter than you and they know more than anyone else. I could care less about someone disagreeing with me and I'm not going to attack them. People who truly know their stuff in this hobby are not insecure. Calm down it will be ok. Maybe you can talk to someone about your audio insecurities and get some therapy for that. I'm trying to just help you through your issues. Hearing as much gear as you can in your own home environment is exactly the way you should be doing it before you settle in on what you like and you truly want. That's what I have been able to do with most of the stuff I heard. You say you don't care about other people's opinions however based on your quick and multiple responses that's exactly the opposite. First, you have to recognize that you do care about the opinions of others. I didn't directly address you in my comments before you sent out your latest posts but of course when people are not secure they think you are talking about them and they lash out. I hope you can work through that issue you have that you say you don't have. Now I am addressing you directly. I was not addressing you directly before. I won't speak on this again. Now you can go back to attacking the multiple others that you have been attacking. @everyone else. This is what I always wanted to stay away from. I'm in this hobby to get the best sound I can get and afford. I love the music first. Not the equipment first. Get the best stuff you can and make it work for you. Try as much as you can and get good advice from those that are knowledgable and comfortable within themselves and do this to help the fellow audiophiles out here. I want this hobby to continue on so remember why you got in this hobby. It's always the music first. Get the best equipment you can but don't forget how to enjoy your music. Most of us can never afford the ultra expensive stuff but get as close as you can and get the best bang for your buck. Happy listening everyone. @hessic. That solutions Gear is the truth. It provides amazing sound. That 530 definitely would be in the conversation.

@mbovaird. Thanks for the support on my comments and suggestions. I have ran into those in this hobby that really downplay the synergy part. You have to have really good equipment along with great synergy to get a great sound. That's my humble opinion anyway. I still have a lot to learn and I'm not claiming to be an expert. I just want to provide what I've learned from some really great people in this hobby. Bob Spence, Rick Schultz, Scott at advance home theater systems. David Baskin. These are guys in Texas that have been very helpful the last five years. These guys make and/or sell some of the best gear I have ever heard. They have also owned the best gear and/or put together systems for 100's of people. Building your system is a slow and tedious and sometimes frustrating process. You just got to learn as much as you can on your own and get help from good folks who know their stuff.

@Calvinj, whatever. Enjoy your system

Calvinj - your responses were bang on. Well said.

Since moving away from a major city to a smaller town, I've really missed having local dealers to work with. Not having a local dealer has really handcuffed me. I now have to buy & try....no more try before I buy. Its funny how you don't appreciate these things until there gone!

That being said, since moving to a smaller town, I've made an effort to get to know some great dealers in other states. You mentioned one of them with Mr. David Baskin at Design Audio in Texas. I have made a couple of visits to David's in the past couple of years and enjoyed his systems. I did get to hear his Raidho D5's with Soulution, Constellation, Hegel and Accuphase. David is one of the true honest gentleman in this business. I just wished he lived closer!

I've also worked with others like Mark at Reno HiFi and some other dealers around the country, but its not the same as having a local dealer. Therefore, I often have to purchase gear to try it, and lets face it, none of this gear is really terrible - so it all comes back to system synergy. In addition, not having local dealers has caused me to make it a mission to attend all the major shows each year: CES, RMAF, Axpona, TAVES, etc. Although far from ideal, the shows at least give me some ideas and exposure to great new products.

Getting beyond the nonsense of some and getting back to the topic at hand, the Soulution 530 seems like a world class integrated, and unless I'm mistaken, also has the excellent Soulution phonostage.

Another integrated to look at is the new Mark Levinson 585. I did get a chance to hear it at TAVES this year.

Also, VAC has the 160i SE coming out (if its not out already) and I believe that has some nice upgrades over the original 160i. The phonostage in the 160i SE is also no slouch.

There are several excellent integrated amps to fit most budgets. Let's just hope you can find the one that provides you with that great synergy you're after.

We are good. Enjoy yours too!!!

12-10-14: Calvinj
@melbguy1. I fully expected you to respond that way. You did not disappoint. I however will not concern myself with the comments you made. I'm just sharing my experiences with the fellow audiophiles on this forum. It doesn't make me right or wrong. It's just makes my point of view different.

Here is lesson in making assumptions; I wasn't responding to your comment.

Sure. Lol.

Seems someone belly ached about me pointing out how a certain member here flips his gear more than Snoop Dog changes his shoes, and thus has no credibility.

Some like to roll tubes, dacs, amps ... After all, this is a hobby and that's the definition of a hobby.

I judge members by contents of their post and find Mbovaird offers very informative information. I will be in the market a cool running SS amp next summer so will add MF Nu Vista 800 to my list of candidates.

Here is lesson in making assumptions; I wasn't responding to your comment.

Calvinj, I agree with most of your post but have to agree with Melbguy1 IMHO.

@everyone.Thanks for all of your insights and comments. I'm good with it all. It's there. I believe in being straight up as I can. I think all of the comments have been great. I heard that the vitus gear was really good. Melbguy1 made some great suggestions on the integrateds. He seems to know a lot of good brands. I can respect that but I want try as much as I can. So I can get the right amps.

Calvin, all members on here can do is pass on their advice based on their relative experience and budgets. There is no substitute for auditioning gear (preferably with a brand/type of speaker you like). That's the only way you've find out what sounds good to your ears. Before I bought my Vitus integrated, I listened to the Bladelius Thor Mk3, Rowland Continuum 500, Audio Flight Two, Boulder 865, Dartzeel CTH-8550, Vitus RI-100 & Vitus SIA-025 before finding out what I liked. Let us know where your journey ends.

Tell me your insights on each. How was the vitus ri 100 and the audio flight 2

Hi Calvin, I only heard the Audia Flight 2 briefly, but it sounded quite lively (dynamic), neutral in tone (perhaps with a touch of warmth) and quiet. The remote is nice, but a bit fiddly to use.

The RI-100 punches well above its weight for what you get. It offers tremendous power and control & will drive any real world speaker load. The RI-100 is a 300watt class a/b amp. It has Vitus essential house sound being that fluid, expressive, analogue-like sound. The RI-100 is much more propulsive and lively in the bass of course than the AF2. It is a little warm, but on the slightly dark side of neutral to my ears. One really remarkable thing about this amp is the way it can adapt to and sound terrific with a range of speakers. That said, Vitus has known synergy with Magico. This guy paired an RI-100 with this Q7's!

With the above said, my Vitus SIA-025 is even more pure, mellifluous and resolving & also sounds warmer operating in Class A. It is the more sophisticated of the two, but the RI-100 is good. Very good for the money.

Like Melbguy1, I also own a Vitus SIA-025. My speakers are Magico Q5's. I recently sold my entire system. Now excluding my Q5's, I have a much smaller 5 box(DAC, Phono Stage, Integrated amp, Turntable/speed control and Music server)system. My room area now(living room/den, kitchen and dining room) is about 600sqf with 10ft ceilings. When desired there is no lack of power. The Vitus produces a very tight and strong bottom end. It could not sound more real! I tire quickly of exaggerated. The Vitus SIA-025 is extremely flexible and has some great internal adjustments. It is a fully balanced integrated amp from input to output that just sounds great. As far as ypsilon goes I own VPS 100. It is an amazing phono stage. It's fit, finish, quality and RIAA are unrivaled. I would never hesitate to suggest their products to anyone. Ypsilon also has a 5 year warrantee. Which many(Vitus) don't and I believe should. I would not hesitate to buy their other products. Hope I did not ramble to much.

Thanks, for the input fellas. I always wondered what owners of the vitus gear thought. I'm trying to decide if I'm going to go deeper in this hobby or downsize. I had a great listening session arc ref3 on revels,high fidelity cables and resonessence dac. Best sound I have ever had. I know it can get better if I get even better with even better components that's why this hobby is crazy

Calvin, it makes sense that the Revels would sound good with ARC tubes as Revel (Harmon) voiced their early speakers with classic Infinity speakers, who in turn voiced their speakers with ARC tubes. I'm glad you've found a sound you enjoy. Nice choice of gear!

Yea it's working out. Really good. I can also adjust treble level on these speakers

I've had decent gear for many years; integrateds from NAD, Cambridge and even a pretty good Topping for a zone amp. But a few months ago I purchased an integrated here on Audiogon which has given me a real taste of the high end: a Luxman L500-AX. LOVE it.

I read all the magazines and check out the web sites and lust after the esoteric like any self-respecting audiophile, but with the Lux, I really feel like I have something a can live with for a long time!

Okay, I have to say the Exemplar Audio Exception integrated is down right stunning good. John has made another change to the preamp section and it has gone to another level. It has a tube preamp and solid state amplification. It is simply the most MUSICAL piece of gear I have ever had the privilege to have in my home. Highly recommended.

How much is that piece from Exemplar..

I believe it retails for $5499. If you are interested please let me know and I will point you to a dealer who can work with you. I recommend 90db sensitivity speakers or above. I have the Exemplar Exception integrated and the Oppo 105 that John upgraded and I can tell you they make beautiful music! John's gear is MUSICAL and some of the gear out there is well made and beautiful but the sound is sterile and analytical. I used to own high end separates and I have no desire to go back. Reach out to John Tucker and he can discuss the gear with you. Tell him Kevin in Louisville referred you to him. He is a great guy.

Thanks Kevin. I have spoken to John previously and if I do I will def mention you and appreciate the info. Parasound is coming out with an integrated with alot of power and is 2499..should be avail in 30 days.

The new Krell Vanguard is world class for $4500...$1500 optional digital board for those who need streaming capabilities.

Never heard a Krell. Always stayed away because I was told they are dry, bright and hard sounding. The Vanguard looks like a good product though.

Has anyone heard the Constellation Audio-Argo?

I recently swapped an ARC Phono 6 , LS27 and Ref 150 for a Gryphon Diablo . Part of this was because I was driven by a desire to simplify my system and also because I had been told by others that the Diablo and the Wilson Audio Sashas were a synergistic combo . Although the Diablo doesn't have that ' tube magic ' , it is a very neutral sounding amp , with perhaps a slight lift in the lower bass which gives the Sashas a tad extra warmth in the lower registers .Also , the onboard phono module is fully balanced and very quiet . I am using High Fidelity CT1E interconnects and speaker cables , its a very clean and neautral sounds with more micro detail than the ARC combo , although this could be also due to simultaneously upgrading the speaker cables . Plus I got to sell about $3000 worth of surplus interconnects and power cables , but , but , I miss the magic of owning tubes , one day when I get the money I will probably buy a ref 75 SE and LS17 Se to use in a second system . The Gryphon has some handy functions such as custom naming each input plus the ability to set a maximum usable volume level , I'm actually quite happy with a level of 30 out of a max of 50 . Beware the Gryphon has annoying plastic surrounds on the speaker binding posts that require most spades to be filed down but I opted for bananas , also easier and less fiddly to fit .

I loved the sound of my Krell kav300 il but it broke 4 times in 5 years so I replaced it with an Anthem 225. I found the Krell more musical but the Anthem is still breaking in and the demo I brought home sounded powerful and alive.

VAC Sigma?

In the thread title a request is made for the best integrated amplifier. No consensus will ever be reached on that subject.
The one I have been using for the past year is the Jeff Rowland Continuum S2. It is surely the best built and probably the most ergonomically sensitive with the exception of the inexcusably cheesy plastic remote. The amp itself is a beautifully crafted, solid aluminum chassis which you can order with a terrific phono section, an onboard DAC, or neither.
The look and feel of this unit are both to die for. It is powered by a Pascal amplifier module providing 400 watts per channel and it rivals any separates on the market, even the Rowland flagship gear. The only real problem with it is the price tag which comes in just under $10K. Of course, you have to expect that kind of pricing when you are discussing "the best" of anything.

Interesting that no one thought the Ayre integraded is worth a mention??

For solid state LFD zero LE 1V. Tubes-Leben 300XS. That's it. Have both, tried many.

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