Sorry, not sure why it's not working. If you search "TRL" it will pop up. Here's the name of the thread.
"TRL ST225 - Goodness anyone else own this amp" |
Johnk What SET replaced the FBI and what speakers are driven by the SET? |
I really like my Karan KA I-180. |
I agree no best but I did enjoy the Krell FBI if I had the funds I would purchase for SS use. I do perfer SET tube amps even the FBI isnt as nice as a great SET on hi-eff loudspeakers. But with all things audio YMMV |
Neodio 150.Unbelievable!!!Why it hasn't become more popular is the greatest mystery in hi-fi to me...
2nd best? Lavardin IT |
Ecruz, that links not working for me?
Jallen, can you tell me what source/speakers your using? |
The Rowland in my house left me not wanting anything else....best of tube/SS sound. jallen |
Gudiocorona, Ill try to describe my preference . I like a neutral but not a thin sound, I like bass that is deep but fast. I would say its a mix of SS speed with the fullness of tubes. I have no special prefs. for either technology. I used to own a Spectron MIIISE and a VTL TL7.5 with Wilson WP7. Although I got to much noise from this pre/amp combo. I think there might be some trouble with AC noise but not sure. |
Hi Perrew, you should still tell us what kind of sound you are seeking. . . warm/neutral? Extended/cozy? tube-like? SS-like? etc. . . G. |
I haven't heard it, but check out this thread.
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.plaamps&1207260778&read&keyw&zztrl |
It depends on the speakers being driven... |
The Blue Note seems to be the most expensive one so far at 19990. |
I prefer when a integrated is a onebox solution otherwise it looses its appeal a bit, a least to me. Therefore the ASR with 3 extra boxes is out of the question.
Heres another: Consensus Audio Amp 211.
The Vac Phi Beta is definately interesting, still wonder about the others and how they compare. |
With the same proviso, no such thing as best, I suspect the Vac Phi beta would be best in most circumstaces. Meaning it's output of 110 watts I believe, would drive most speakers. Having had a few very good integrated amps, Lavardin IT, Karan K180, clearly the best in my system was the Viva Solista. At 22watts, clearly, it won't be best in many systems.
Others I might mention, the newish Pass labs 150 integrated and Conrad johnson C200. Not much experience of them, but the companies products are always good, in my view |
Symphonic line Kraftwerk mk2, they make great amps.
Blue Note Demidoff Diamond, never heard it but it should be interesting. |
Thanks for all the answers, maybe the phrase "best" is not a good absolute measure. Im looking for experiences with the mentioned integrated amps. There will always be synergy effects between different setups and you can alter things with cables and other things to cater the sound to your preferences. I still think you can list pros and cons for the amps. So far what Ive read in magazines, almost everything is positive though, is that the Gryphon benefits alot from an SRA platform (HIFI+). The Gryphon is excellent but cant touch the Ayre MX-Rs and is slightly behind the FBI. But the FBI is twice the price. (Ljud och Bild, Swedish mag.) The Gamut seems to be liked alot by Absolute sound and JValin who said the Gamut with Arc CD7 and Magico Mini2 is a great setup. For Vitus Jeff Fritz of UltraAudio let his Boulder 1060 go for the Vitus. Rowland has no test afaik yet, but DCstep here on Agon seems to be very impressed with his unit and GuidoCorona seems to like the Capri pre thats suppose to be similar to the Pre in the Rowland. For the Apl 6moons test was so and so but hes into SETs all night long. Some people have let go of their DartZeels for the UA-S1.
I have used Wilson WP7s but looking to change these to smaller floorstanders plus sub.
So what do you thinks is the "best" integrated amp? |
I agree there is no best, but there is good and better, and not so good. So yes, there is no best, but there is a group that should be auditioned and the VAC is one of them, as is the Jadis integrated. Of course the speakers you are using will have a lot to do with how well any of these integrated will perform. Perrew, what speaker are you looking to drive? |
There is no "best". Period. |
I love my McIntosh MA-2275 integrated tube amp. I do want to try the Boulder integrated model 865. There is one for sale for $8K on Audiogon right now, but that is not in my budget right now. |
First, let me clarify that I do not believe that there is any one 'best' of anything in this hobby. The following response is what I personally consider to be the best to my ears, and in my experiences thus far.
On the more expensive side of town, I'd say either the Karan Acoustics KA I-180 (solid state), or the Jadis DA50RC (tube). |
Perrew, nice lineup. . . while there is no 'best', there is going to be an integrated that you may end up liking 'best'. . . that will depend on what else is in your system, on your sonic/musical expectations, and to a lesser extent, on what music you enjoy listening. |
The VAC Phi Beta would be my choice if I wanted an integrated amplifier. Then an Art Audio Carrissa, with the right speaker. |
Accuphase E550 or Sugden Masterclass. |
