Accessories4less has AI-2000 for $1100 if anyone is interested.
It's the more powerful model with phono stage. |
Yesterday, I heard Teac Int. and was blown away!
Who would have thought Teac, but hearing is believing.
It's nice that there are some great sounding gears in mass produced stuff, at their reasonable prices.
The Ai-1000 was less than 1k, and it sounded luxurious in a most pleasant way. It sounded hifi, and strong at 85 watts per ch.
Looked kool and classy as well. |
I think most (if not all of us) realize there is no "best."
I get something out of most of these posts. There's a lot of equipment out there and no one gets to experience every brand and model. It can be useful to read others' opinions--it's why we're here.
If I'm shopping for an IA I can read this thread and get some leads that could help me find something I like better than what I have now. |
Akg ca,
My recommendation to you is simply don't read this thread. It is like people complaining about TV shows or radio programs if you don't like it just turn it off and the ones that enjoy this or any thread can enjoy it. |
This best of type stuff is for the kid that lives inside many of us. When we were kids we used to argue things like who was the best Pitcher on a Baseball team or QB on a football team or the best band ever guitarist etc etc. you get the point. No there is no logical best in tegrated only arguements supporting one's favorite. Some readers may be looking for an integrated and find these nominations useful. |
Akg_ca, you make excellent points. But for the same reasons that you think the thread should be removed, I think it should live forever. Can there be a better example - especially for newbie posters seeking component advise - than this thread, to demonstrate that if enough Agoners participate, sooner or later, every component on the face of the earth will be recommended.
Of course, the real shame of it is that all these other posts, obscure those from us who really do know the best :-) |
Dear moderator and fellow AGONers:
After 5 years and 366 posts, isn't it finally time to finally kill off this tired old thread?
I ask this without prejudice to the assertion that there is no ".... best integrated...period"; just personal and heavily biased opinions.
We all know that what sounds great in one's own system may sound like crap in tne next guys system, simply because the reat of the components are different. |
Hegel H100 powerful and very dynamic at the same time |
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Any body want to sell Krell KAV 400xi tell me know , email to me at (anhhoagto4@yahoo.com) please
Thank you
Manman007
Unreal...and you have the nerve to do it twice! Where is the Moderator? |
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This is THE BEST thread when I need to put a smile on my face. Hilarious! |
I have had the Burmester 082 in my system for over month. IMO, this is an incredible integrated and I can see why Tone Audio holds this one in such high regard. Of course i have not heard everything, but I would think the O82 as well as the 032 have to be listed among the best. |
Any body want to sell Krell KAV 400xi tell me know , email to me at (anhhoagto4@yahoo.com) please
Thank you |
Any body want to sell tell me know , email to me at (anhhoagto4@yahoo.com) please
Thank you |
Ive yet to hear integrateds that will beat dartzeel cth-8550 and gryphon diablo |
Original poster had two good suggestions...Vitus SS-10 and Gryphon Diablo. Not heard Vitus, but love Gryphon. |
Simaudio 600i has treated me very well. Sounds great with my Cremona M. |
I'd like the hear that new Bryston. Wasn't a fan of the Ayre AX5 with my speakers. Not enough current it seems for my taste. The Hegel H200 was excellent and I'd love to hear the Hegel H300. A solid state amp is in my future. Anyone hear any of the Bladelius integrateds? |
Ayon Triton, Accustic Arts Amp One, BMC CS2 (dealer for BMC) so add as much weight as you choose to that recommendation. Not a dealer for the others mentioned. |
Another vote for the ARC VSi60. Amazing amplifier. |
Drubin, I heard it at RMAF last year (driving Vivid Giya 3s). I thought it sounded terrific and think it might be sonically close to the MX-R/KX-R combo. I'd like to hear it again in a room other than a hotel, such as mine! |
Rufipennis, have you heard the Ayre? Comments? |
The Ayre AX-5 ought to be considered here. I'm trying to figure out how to afford one. |
The best integrated SS amplifier I have heard I bought.
The Bryston B135sst2
You have to listen to it if it's in your price range.
I mean it ! |
This is going to date me, but the Musical Fidelity A-1000 is one great amp, I have the A-1 and the A-100. Both great class A traditional sound. But the A-1000 is another beast entirely. Warms your mind and body, literally. (Runs very hot) |
This is going to date me, but the Musical Fidelity A-1000 is one great amp, I have the A-1 and the A-100. Both great class A traditional sound. But the A-1000 is another beast entirely. Warms your mind and body, literally. (Runs very hot) |
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Be careful Sonicbeauty, you'll get scolded by someone for saying there is no best. |
There is no universal best. One's music is someone else's noise.
There may be a best for your own ears however. And it could be anything from Nad to Rowland depending on your taste...and your pocketbook. |
Seadogs,
I'm a bit late to respond, but there's a very limited production run of shuguang 211b tubes which are very nice and preferable to the Nos ge to me. They're a bit hard to come by, but they're the 211 equivalent of the excellent 845b tubes.
Drop me a line if you want more info.
Fred |
Hi AudioZen, by coincidence, I just received some info yesterday about the new Rowland Continuum Sereies 2 integrated amp. Like the old Continuum 500, CS2 it is based on a class D design, but Continuum S2 is designed around new technology power conversion modules, that are not from B&O ICEpower. Power rating is 400W over 8 Ohms, and 800W over 4 Ohms. The preamplifier section is based on the new Rowland Capri S2, and the amp supports an optional DAC card as well as an optional Phono card. PFC is not incorporated, but the amp can be fed through the Rowland PC-1 rectifier, which is based on active PFC. We will find out how it sounds after the integrated is released during Q2. |
My dealer just got the new Ayre AX5 and texted me to tell me I need to come for a listen. He sounds impressed. |
I want to hear the new Ayre integrated. Although I haven't liked all Ayre products I've heard, I suspect this new piece will be a contender. |
Just spoke to the Jeff Rowland Group. They confirmed their new integrated amp will be released this April and will be called the Continuum Series Two, and not the Continnum 500.
Specs are not available but Brandon at Rowland mentioned last year it will have the same power output. |
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There are about twenty companies globally producting integrated amps. Best? No such thing. The SS integrateds that are at the top of the game are from Gamut, Dartzeel, Sim Audio, Luxman, Accuphase, Musical Fidelity, Gryphon,
Vitus, Coda, and Hegel. The new Levinson integrated is forthcoming in late Spring and Rowland is considering puttting back out an improved Continuum 500 by the end of the year. |
Anyone heard the Diavalet? I guess it's not an integrated in quite the same sense as most of the others mentioned here, but I am very curious about it.
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01-03-13: Tpreaves
01-03-13: Melbguy1
Steve, you don't seriously rank your Sansui as the best integrated amplifier period? And sure not ahead of the Vitus?
So what if he does? It's his opinion and it's just as valid as yours or anyone else's. I do apologize for challenging Steve's comment. As they say, ignorance is bliss.. |
Any Manley Stingray Fans on this post??? I can't think of a better integrated. Only other one that comes to mind is Nora Jones favorite integrated... Leben CS300 or CS600. CBS Sunday Morning interview.
Don't laugh but I own an old Lafayette LA 224A (made by Sansui in Japan) that has been upgraded with new resistors and caps. I think the line stage is the same as the Stew Hegman Line Stage used in his famous KT600 Lafayette preamp. This upgraded 60 year old integrated sounds unreal...very modern transparent sound...not thick/dark like Scott or Fisher integrateds. The little 224a actually sounds better than my Altec 353A that was supposed to be to die for...but it inverts phase and imaging is a disaster...expensive little purchase. just my 2 cents worth again. Larry |
01-03-13: Melbguy1
Steve, you don't seriously rank your Sansui as the best integrated amplifier period? And sure not ahead of the Vitus? So what if he does? It's his opinion and it's just as valid as yours or anyone else's. |
Steve, you don't seriously rank your Sansui as the best integrated amplifier period? And sure not ahead of the Vitus? |
Anyone heard the Burmester 082 or 032? Should these be part of the conversation? |
Hi Jay, auditioned the NCSE for over 2 weeks. The low end weighting and overall balance is subtly, but definitely sweeter IMHO compared to the LE IV. Experimented more and discovered a slight reposition of my C7-ES3's made further improvements in balance and wider soundstage. Never noticed this with the LE IV in the year+ I owned it and tweaked spkr position, cables, etc. The NCSE certainly brought more to the table than expected.
About halfway through the NCSE trial though, I also auditioned some separates that were stunning, and ended up keeping those instead. |
Love the Sansui AU-9500.
I recently re-caped with Elna Silmic II for signal path,
Nichicon for power path and upgraded the small signal TO-92's to modern Fairchild silicon. Left the original Sankin output transistors in-place.
Sweet! |
Frederklarson, did you get the NCSE? If so, curious to hear your impressions. Thanks, Jay |
I'll go with the top Accuphase Class A integrated...
http://www.accuphase.com/model/e-560.html |
If I had that kind of money, the Vitus would certainly be on my short list for an audition. |
Well they say the best integrated amp is the integrated amp you would buy today if you were in the market. My first choice would be a Vitus SIA-025. Lots of power, smooth analogue sound & sounds tube-like. Knocks the socks off any other integrated i've heard. |
Airegin, thanks for the guidance. Have just had a commit for my Mk. IV. Headed to the NCSE ver 1once the deal is complete !!! We have a new LFD convert in our midst....... |
