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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. |
@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. |
@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 amplifÃer. 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. |
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. |
@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. |
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!!!! |
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. |
12-06-14: MbovairdWell 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. |
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 ;) |
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 |
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! |
Luxman l-550ax, 25 watts class a power is the most complete I've had to date after having classe, sonic frontiers, musical fidelity, and many others over the years. I've heard it with lots of different speakers as well and it continuously impresses. I'm using it with efficient living voice speakers and I've been happier and more satisfied with this system than any other in 30 years in this hobby. It also has a great headphone output and phono stage that I would say is equivalent to many of the $1000-$2000 phono stages. |
Good choice Oblgny. Had my Rogue Cronus Magnum for 5 years and it's not going anywhere. Great amp, company and personnel. Experiment with some tube rolling on the 12au7 and 12ax7's. Mark and Nick can give some good suggestions and I've had great luck with Kevin Deal at Upscale. Currently running a Mazda Cifte 12au7 in the center pre-amp position flanked by 2 La Radio Technique 12au7's. Sounds incredible! |
Roxy54, No, I have not auditioned the Agostino intergrated, what I am about to tell you is out there weird!, I have listened to the Agostino equipment, Vitus, Roland, etc... you get the picture, are you ready to laugh, of all things on youtube!, I cannot understand as to why all this equipment does sound different on youtube Hugely!, The Agostino equipment floored me with the resolution, warmth, smooth,effortless huge sound stage as presented on the video. |
A friend has an ARS Emitter I Exclusive which is also quite good. Not the typical German hifi, all strident and bright. I would not call it lush, but rather extremely neutral. It's almost certainly more transparent than is my INT-150 which tends towards warmth and less than rock solid bass grip (OK, I like less than rock solid bass grip as that ripens the bass a bit, which I find appealing) |
...mine would be Accuphase or Musical Fidelity, because i like solid state resolution and neutrality, but don't want things *too* digitally sharp. i am sure there are others, but i know those offer great quality and a philosophy i like. but that's for me, i would always tell someone to audition until they find their own preferred sound signature. |
For the past week I've had the pleasure of listening to what I consider to be the most natural, non-hifi sounding amplifier I've ever owned....the Clones 25i integrated. Every listening session has me shaking my head in disbelief, not only as to what I'm hearing but why I would want anything else. Bad news for those who refuse to believe good sound is only attainable by spending thousands and thousands of dollars: It's dirt cheap. |
I'm telling ya, If you love old krell, and want to be impressed, taking the level to much Higher, if you can swing the dough, you owe it to yourself to go and check out Dan D agistion's new intergrated amp, not saying what's best, I will leave that up to you to decide, anyone that does look into what I am saying here, report your findings back on this thread, cheers gentleman. |
Just jumping back in to give kudos to the Exemplar gear. I now have about several hours on this unit and it is really sounding great. I also have been using John's Exception DAC and the Oppo 105 as the transport. I have had some amazing gear on my rack (tube momo-blocks, etc...) but none have the beautiful SQ that the Exemplar Audio gear has. It is close in bass/lower end to the Bob Carver mono-blocks I owned but not quite there; however, it excels in every other area. Singer's voices are spot on especially the ladies. The pricing is great for such a fabulous component. I was never high on integrated amps but I have no desire to go back to separates. |
Not having listened to every integrated amp (and who has?) I can not say what's the best. I can only speak from my experience. I've owned 4- NAD 3020; Naim Nait 3; Rogue Tempest II Magnum; currently a Pass INT-150. I really did not care for the Naim and returned it- maybe it was defective but I found it very strident. The NAD was fun and I had that in my home office for a while. The Rogue was and remains excellent. I liked it more than my prior CJ gear but last year I decided that after 10 years of tubes, I was going back solid state. I once heard an AR integrated and thought it has a little light in low end oomph. |
Thankful, I too find this unit exceptional. Frankly, I found it hard to believe that it had an amp within. One feels little or no heat eminating from it. It works on my 86 db speakers as well as the 4 ohm load 93 db efficient speakers. I have yet to buy one at this point as I have one of John Tucker's LSA Statements. Its 200 watts per side is unneeded here. When I sell it, I will be getting the Exemplar Exception integrated amp. |
