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I've been waiting and looking to see Decware but I don't think it's been mentioned. But I'd like some opinions as I'm about to pair a Decware with Zu Omen speakers.
Thoughts? |
If your interested in an amazing integrated check out the Exemplar Audio Exception. It is mind blowing good, especially if you have a topnotch front end. It simply sounds beautiful. It retails for less than many of the integrated amps mentioned in this thread but won't take a backseat. |
I was wondering the same thing. Who mentioned Jadis to start that tirade? |
Tell us how you really feel don't hold back!
When was the last time a Jadis was mentioned?
Clever description but definitely not accurate. The use of KT-90s is a problem with certain editions of Jadis amps IMO. This can be easily addressed in most cases |
Blah Blah Bleet.
Every Jadis that I have ever heard sounded like a worn out ST-70 with new tubes. There... But not there.
The high end on a Jadis sounds like an old snake trying to whistle and the low end sounds like an in-estrous baboon bouncing up and down on an inner tube....... Soft bloated and damp.. Some sure about the veracity of that verbiage, but you get a gold star for creative writing and humor. Best few lines I have read in a while. Viva Solista is the best I have owned and heard to date. |
I agree with you HighEndBob, I heard the Rowland S2 at RMAF 2013, and found it to be an amazingly resolving and musical device... And it can take an optional phono or DAC card for only a few hundred dollars more. Roy Gregory posted a very favorable review of Continuum S2 the Audio Beat last January:
http://www.theaudiobeat.com/equipment/jeff_rowland_continuum_s2.htm
A good amount of information on Continuum S2 can also be found at:
http://jeffrowlandgroup.com/kb/categories.php?categoryid=211
If I were not spoiled by my Rowland M925 monos, I would consider Continuum S2 extremely seriously.... And with its 400W per side into 4 Ohms essentially doubling into 4 Ohms, it should drive my beloved Vienna Die Muzik with true grace.
Guido |
The new Exemplar Audio Exception integrated is smokin good. The preamp is total high end and at only 50 watts is will surprise you. |
The Jeff Rowland Continuum S2 is comparable to some of the very best separates IMHO. By far the best integrated I've ever heard. |
Hands down the Musical Fidelity m6 500i. It kills the Mcintosh stuff |
the best buy // simaudio i5 and hegel h80 |
I believe two of these maybe poweramps with passive preamps at the front, that have input switching, no active preamplifier as such, the Vitus SS101, and APL UA-S1.
Many are doing this these days, esspecially among tube integrateds.
Cheers George
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I think he means that nothing performs close to the DarTZeel. I sure hope he's right because the cost of admission is up there. I'm not implying it's not worth it. It's a matter of means and priority. |
Keithr, what do you mean? What is not even close to the DarTZeel? All integrateds? |
DarTZeel CTH 8550- and its not remotely close |
Joeyboynj, have you been out of the country or without the internet? Why all the postings? |
I really like my Audio Research DSI 200. Very reliable, powerful, Dynamic, Accurate and works great with tube sources. |
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Anyone own a Krell 550i ? |
Regarding dacs used to hear the Hegel 200,300
We did not use the Hegel internal dac ,it is decent but the Meitner Ma-1
We used is in another catagory.the sonic balance I described is accurate.
The only thing I am doing next is buying a balanced set of MIT -HD23
Interconnects which are excellent to see how much better XLR cables sound on the Hegel.
One guy said it is the ticket for best sound on the Hegel .make sure the
Other dac, or player is fully balanced down stream to reap the benefits. |
Best two integrateds :
AM audio excellence line
Analog domain new ISIS |
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krell fbi for ss and mc2275 for tube. |
Styxtrekr, I knew that the Exemplar Exception integrated amp would be at the RMAF but just learned that the exemplaraudio.com page is complete now. |
Just found a mint 1974 Marantz Japanese model and am blown away at the musicality of the sound. Had the boards re-soldered and new caps put in. Japanese electronics like Sansui and Marantz are second to none. I only see Luxman building this quality stuff any more. |
Hegel 300 vs 300
The 300 has a bit more resolution and air on top,and Very neutral
Sounding ,compared to the 200 a bit on the thin side.the 200
Sounds like a high end Vacuum tube amp with snap and detail and warmer fuller sounding.
Very system dependent on cables, speakers, and source components.
They are both very good just a bit different, that is why how neutral,
Or full sounding the rest of your system is will dictate your purchase . |
@Donjr
Regarding Hegel H200 vs H300, it's possible that a much better external DAC was used for the H200 over the H300's internal DAC. Thus the preference of the less expensive model over the more expensive one. Not saying price is always the determining factor but just want to explore the plausible explanations. I'm genuinely interested in what you have to say because I currently have the H100 and actively looking to move up. Thanks for your comments. |
I don't put a monetary value on sound. That's where I lay down my ears. As an example, I auditioned the Ayre AX5 and chose the Hegel H200 over it. Believe me when I tell you that if I liked the Ayre better I would have made it happen. I got a email from a Hegel dealer who told me that he and everyone who works in his shop prefers the Hegel H200 over the H300. Now that's funny to me and I don't care because I love this amp and I don't need to hear the H300. All I can say about this particular amp is to run it balanced. Huge difference.
It's taken me a long time to finally get to the point where I don't care what any review or person says about anything. I am now so satisfied with my system it blows my mind. I'll never be off the merry go round but I only ride it every 5 years or so. All I have left is Oyaide banana plugs and a sub woofer and this will be my second to last system I ever own. |
You want to talk about the Best
How about Bermeister, Dartzeel,Vitus,Gryphon any ones of these
Will set you back from $15k to over $25k
These are in an other league most of us cannot ever afford these
RRoyce of products and for sure there is some Tube gear hand made in Japan that can hit $100k plus , even cables can set you back $100k
Where does it all end ? While on vacation I saw an I phone 4 with elaborate
14k and Platinum case for $16k - Including phone, now that is a bargain ! |
Blah Blah Bleet.
Every Jadis that I have ever heard sounded like a worn out ST-70 with new tubes. There... But not there.
The high end on a Jadis sounds like an old snake trying to whistle and the low end sounds like an in-estrous baboon bouncing up and down on an inner tube....... Soft bloated and damp.. |
I am still sticking to my guns and saying the Jadis CA-60 is the best integrated to date and likely not to be eclipsed. |
For around $1000 virtue audio sensation with upgarded power supply was pretty good option. I added granite audio tube buffer ( upgrade tubes). My sourse is sqeezebox duet with upgraded boulder power supply- anedio d 2 dac, speakers are Fritz audio monitors 7. Fritz himself was very impressed by combination of sensation with minotor 7's.
As most of us in this passion, I'm looking to upgrade, but so far, I haven't found anything that really stands out as a good reason to go trough the hassle of selling the sensation and (possibly) granite audio. I started reading this tread looking for more info for the APL ua s 4. Any of you have/had the Sensation? Any ideas for upgarde up to $2500? A little out of the scope of this tread, but I'll consider monoblocks too, since anedio can be used as apreamp and has balanced uotputs. |
I have had a few integrated amplifiers... and separates in the past. Rotel; McIntosh; Bel Canto; LFD; Sonneteer; Naim; and pending Hegel design.
The cost was too irresistable to pass up. I bought a Teac AI-1000 as I wait for my more "expensive gear" to arrive.
It might be the find of the decade.
More to follow.... |
I got a Teac AI2000 to replace my ARC VSi60...the Teac sounds more like a tube amp then the ARC...WHAT? Full bodied, refined and articulate with tube like dynamics and harmonic completeness...all for the price of an NAD. |
I think the best integrated amp in the world depending on your system needs and personal taste would be one of the following; the Kondo Overture, Burmester 909 Mk5, Soulution 530 or Vitus SIA-025 |
I was wrong about the efficiency of the LSA1 Statements. It is not 93 db but 88 db.
Styxtrekr and others, presently only telephoning John Tucker or emailing can get you much information. A new and fully upgraded webpage will be released later this month. |
Styxtrekr, That is a good question. Go to exemplaraudio.com It is in the Exception series and will soon be shown. You can email or telephone him now. |
Sorry, to clarify the Exemplar Audio Exception Integrated amp |
where to get info on this I.Amp.? |
I used to think the Exemplar/LSA Statement amp was the best integrated but now the Exemplar Audio Exception Integrated is the best I have ever heard. And it weights only 23 pound for 50 watts per side versus the Statement's 85 pounds for 200 watts. I should say that the amp never showed any signs of distress playing loud on 93 db efficient speakers.
The detail, sound stage resolution, timbre of instruments, and just general realism of the sound is outstanding. Truly exceptional for only $4950. |
Rogers High Fidelity EHF-200
Yeah, its that good |
There are benefits to integrated, namely not having to drive cables to the amplifier and perfect matching of the line stage with the amplifier circuit. I have seldom used integrated electronics, but recently have been asked to beta test a unit. I for the first real time heard all the benefits of an integrated fulfilled. I will say more when I can. |
I tend to agree with Donjr (Simaudio Moon, D'Agostino, Merrill Veritas, Bully Sound, etc.), but it's difficult to shy away from tube *preamps* like the Audio Research Reference 5 SE, Purity Audio, or Herron. |
Any good information on a solid state integrated is good news for me. I'm looking to jump ship on tubes. There too many good ones out these days to bother with tubes. There will be a day when tubes are out of the picture. |
Interesting on the Krell. I always thought Krell stuff was to harsh or bright. I couldn't stand it, but it has been about 10 years since I have heard any of their gear. Maybe things are better in that regard? |
According to Ken Kessler in the July 2013 Hi-Fi News, a new contender for the title is the Krell S-550i, if very high power into difficult loads *and* good sound are the criteria. It can drive Apogee Scintillas with 2400 stable watts into 1 Ohm, and regarding sound Kessler didn't miss the ARC Reference 75 or his old Class-A Krell. |
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Accustic Arts,Power 1 mk.3 |
Audio Analogue: Maestro series (Rev.2).
Real nice integrated amps. Google Audio Analogues webs and you will see a gorgeous set of amps that just drip with quality and outstanding workmanship.
Cheers !! |
