Has anyone compared, Gryphon Diablo, Gamut Di150, Vitus SS101, Krell FBI, APL UA-S1 Jeff Rowland Continuum 500? Please add what you found to be best integrated.
I've just purchased what I hope is the 'best' (for my system) - the very last VAC Phi Beta 110i. This was intended for Kevin Hayes' personal use, but he decided to go with his new separates. It's being tested at VAC and will be delivered next week.
Ultimate integrated is a machine called Sroll Lyric,this amp can compete and exceedes sound quality of best separates,it is amazing machine which would deserve a lot more attention.The problem is that this guy mr.Sroll is not very good at marketing and is not ready to enter US market.His amp bettered Halcro with ease.It uses totaly diffrent technology,mr.Sroll is a genius.I never heard one box nor separates to sound like this,so clean and natural,dynamic a holographic with maximum informations with no distortion whatsoever. Output power 2x530W / 2Ohm 2x350W / 4Ohm 2x225W / 8Ohm Frequency range 2 Hz - 200 kHz Dumping factor on output terminal 3500 / 8Ohm / 1 kHz Distortion no hearable distortion Power amplifier class AB four-layered gilded printed circuit board casts in aluminium monolith Loudness control precise resistors, switched by relays Input circuits balanced input, discrete circuits without total feedbacks and without opamps D/A converter 16 - 24 bit / 32 - 192 kHz, cast in aluminium monolith Chasis milled massive aluminium case Cooling by the whole case, upper desk thickness 40 mm, 620 pcs. vent, heat distribution by gas without Freon´s Inner cables halogen free, high quality Output terminals WBT Inputs - analog 1x XLR 3x cinch - digital 4x cinch 75Ohm Measures 440 x 185 x 440 mm Weight 38 kg
Curriemt11, As much as I love the Gryphon, I have to say that I know you're in for a treat when the VAC arrives. Not only is the VAC gear wonderful, Kevin Hayes is one of the most honorable designers I've ever met. Though a bit different, he reminds me so much of my personal mentor and friend of 30 years, the late Jim Thiel. Brilliant, understated, music lover who has only the 'best intentions' for everything that he puts on the street. In a different world, (maybe just across the pond even) a guy like Kevin would be exhaulted by everyone as an audio God! LOL... Please tell us, as this unit breaks in, and give it time, how it sounds...please?
I've had several conversations with Kevin Hayes just lately. Couldn't ask for a nicer, more helpful individual.
With regard to Jim Thiel, I met him while attending university in Lexington. This was in 1980 when he was just starting out. Great guy, and sorely missed.
Hi Mike, We'll all be looking forward to the inside scoop on the VAC. Kevin and I met back in 2002 I believe...I arrived at the Vegas show late, went directly to his demo room--he said, "I'm worn out, got to get dinner." Three hours later, after listening to his best and music selections, I bought him dinner at the Alexis Park Bar. What a great guy--what a music lover. He too is enthralled by great music and great recordings.
I received my new VAC Phi Beta 110i yesterday. Apart from the PITA of lugging the bulky 100 lb main unit upstairs to my listening room, installation was a snap.
A few initial comments:
1) From a functional standpoint, and for my particular circumstances, this is absolutely perfect
2) Aesthetics - also perfect. Even my distinctly non-audiophile wife says it's 'pretty'.
3) And the most important bit, the sound - I can only say that I am very, very tired this morning, as I was up until after 2am listening. I'm not one to make snap judgments, but I can tell you that after it was well warmed up, my impression is that this is the finest amplification I've ever heard. I've owned various combinations of gear over the past 30 years (including Atma-Sphere, Aesthetix, CAT, Supratek, Ayre MX-R, Messenger, even a CTC Blowtorch), but nothing has blown me away at first listen the way this did. I'll reserve further comments until I get the full measure of the amp.
I'm sure the Dartzeel is an awesome piece. It was just reviewed by "What Hi-Fi?" which is rather strange. They liked it, but they certainly weren't in love with it. How is it that they reviewed a Dartzeel piece? That's way outside of their normal reviews.
Dayens Audio Ampino is without a doubt the best musical bang for the buck this side of the universe. At $699 the 25 watt wonder offers startling musical sound reproduction that should cost 5x more. Combined with the equally amazing Oppo DVD player this duo cannot be touched for their surprising low budget price.
Having a heck of a time with a Viva Solista Integrated, it has it all and replaced my beloved Lamm/MR combo. SET sound wo sounding lean, very musical and energetic, drives my Guarneris with easy... Never say never but... this might be the last amp for me.
Best... I'll not enter that discussion. My Blue Circle integrated is not going anywhere. There's a reason you see so few Blue Circle units for sale on the Gon.
The Anthem INT-225 is a REAL SLEEPER! I listened to one the other day and I was SHOCKED at how good it SOUNDED and not just for the price! This solid-state Integrated amp sounded more like a really good tube amp! I like this amp better than the very high priced Mcintosh amp! Talk about Major-Bang-For-Your-Buck!
Iv`e had sertenly not tried them all out there, but i have stopped looking. I think iv`e have found the perfect integrated amplifier out there. The legendary Lavardin IT, one H...of an amplifier. Not musch to look at, and the weight is nottong to write home about, and the Watt`s????No, it is indeed not an exclusive amplifier in numbers and watt( only 47 watt), but it plays music like no other iv`e had heard in the last 25 years, even at very low levels. So if you`re in for a warm, punchy and loveably amplifier, this is it: The IT!!!
I have placed my order for the Ayon Triton yesterday. Hope it shall live upto its image & worthy reviews.
While in discussions with the dealer, i heard him advise me to look at the Spirit - "iii" as well, due launch by the end of this month having look and feel similar to Spirit - "ii" but with KT-120 instead of the KT-88's.
Whilst the power handling is less for the 120's, these new toobs on the block are claimed to be more musical (rounded, with comparatively less air on the highs & slightly more meat on the mid bass) - gist from a few reviews i just read before sharing it with all of you in here.
Rest is seen (rather - 'heard') to be believed.
And yes, I am still sticking on my order for the Triton.
Best wishes www.theAudiophile.net - The Global Audiophile.network
I am note sure I can comment on what is best, but I am very happy with my Luxman 509u integrated amp driving Verity Audio Parsifal Ovations. Musical heaven!
The latest McIntosh integrated was outperformed by the latest Chapter Audio integrated in a review. The Chapter Audio integrated I'm sure will be outperformed by others. The reality is that there is no such thing as the best integrated, PERIOD.
Most of these noted are well above my pay grade, therefore out of my sampling reach. I did happen to own a BAT VK300x, which impressed me for a bit. But even it couldn't hold a candle to the type of listening I'm doing now, with a low watt SET integ.
A Grant Fidelity 3400B with a pair of Shuguang black bottle 300b's floats my boat. It's very affordable, and sonically shames some much more expensive gear that I own.
There have been numerous threads on the subject of "Hi-Fi vs. musicality". Reading these posts, I come away with the impression that many consider these the two extremes of a sliding scale - to the degree that you choose one you sacrifice the other. IMHO, the New Audio Frontiers Supreme 300b SE integrated makes the strongest statement, that I've ever heard, that one component can offer SOTA performance in both. It's too bad that they aren't marketed more aggressively in the US.
A Jadis DA 60 with rolled input tubes. I use the usual best 5751 period which is th PITA to get triple mica blackplate Sylvania. And for the 12AU7s I have yet to find anything that comes close to the Amperex Heerlen only early 1960s late 1950s long plate 7316. My understanding is that they have switched quite wisely to the GL reissue KT 88, really a great tube. I am not fond of Jadis use of KT 90s which sound and act like time bombs in those circuit. The Da 88S is the current offer and I imagine a worthy successor to the DA 60 which had an incredibly long production run. I was fortunate to buy an older one at a decent price which had just been fixed up. Otherwise cost is bordering on the ridiculous but still a lot less than some of the nominated best cost no object. I don't know the current price and once again it appears that there is no NA distributor. Correct me if I am wrong.
I believe you are correct, Doctor. Jadis and Pierre Gabriel appear to have parted ways. From what one of the principals told me, the company's intention was to be represented in North America by he and his brother, along with one additional, unnamed person. They're looking to set up a dealer network, but the language issue has been an impediment. The current retail price would come in at approximately $14K.
We both use the same small tube complement in the Jadis DA60, 7316 in the front and Sylvania Triple Mica Blackplate 5751 drivers. While you're running KT88, I like the JJ E34L in this amp. Of late, I'm curious to take a spin with the newly released JJ big bottle 6CA7, though I'm not exactly lacking on the low end.
It's funny to see all of the mediocre integrated amplifier suggestions in this thread. So far, despite all the equipment I've had or been around, integrated or not, nothing has provided me with as much enjoyment as the Jadis DA60. Not even close.
Paul, I'm hoping to make it down to the Baltimore area in two weeks for a benefit in the name of my dearly departed friend, John Potis. Perhaps, I can bring both the DA30 and DA60 down with me, and we can get together for a comparison on your speakers?
I don't know if it's the best, but the Valve Audio Predator with upgraded tubes is a piece of art. The remote alone is worth buying it for, (solid milled aluminum), however the music with a distinct tube mid-range and 200W to back it up is unbelievably good for the money. Not to mention the owner, Hans Schalk will help you solve problems.
I know there are more expensive, but you could run this with speakers in the $10K range easily, and not feel compromised. Hybrids, up until this experience were always too solid state, this is much different..
Having gone through the thread again, I agree there are hardly any integrated amps not included. Power costs money, so the key to getting excellent quality in a cheap integrated, is how much you need. This applies to tubes particularly, but also Solid state, if you want some Class A bias. For me, the only thing making Solid State listenable, is Class A. I have owned and used a lot of Integrated amps in the last 8 years, Viva Solista, Lavardin IT, Karan K180, Unison Research S6 and now the Pathos Inpol. Of all of them, the Viva and Pathos Inpol were the best, with the Lavardin a very creditable runner up. If I had to choose between them I would choose the Inpol over the Viva, just and with my current speakers. Money no object, I think it would be the Darzeel, so transparent, fast and detailed, but not a hint of grain and harshness, a wonderful amp. I think I could live with any Ayon amp too. If I had to choose, it would probably be the SET mercury or crossfire.
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