Jayh31
I don't believe in the last twenty plus years of being seriously involved with this hobby have I ever come across a component that was as responsive to a break-in period as the NCSE.
If you ever get a component with Teflon capacitors you might update your opinion. Regarding cables synergy with LFD, you might be surprised with the latest DNM IC's and speaker cables. I'm owner of an NCSE approaching four years of service and have used a bunch of LFD cables to include the Grainless IC's, the Spirolink I and III, and the Hybrid Speaker cables. I still own the Hybrids. The changes incorporated into the latest NCSE are very minor, so original NCSE owners can skip the version II envy. There I said it. Cheers. |
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Thanks again Frederick. You're right, trusting our own ears goes along way toward cutting through the hype. I've used Nordost cables for years moving up through their line with a number of different systems and find them to be very neutral, i.e, not seeming to impart much if any, particular personality or colouration to the sound. That said, just passed the 200 hr or so point with the NCSE and has really begun to settle in and sounds great, so I don't think I'll be looking to change cables anytime soon. BTW, I don't believe in the last twenty plus years of being seriously involved with this hobby have I ever come across a component that was as responsive to a break-in period as the NCSE. Thanks again |
Jayh31, I heard and read the same before I bought the LFD Spirolink I and the LFD Hybrid Ribbon speaker cable pairs. Most of this reading came from the usual suspects (LFD dealers).
You have to let your own ears guide your decision based on comparisons to whatever it is that you have now. For me, the LFD Spirolink was a step up from the Tara Labs (Quantum III) I had been satisfyingly using for over a decade with several other amps (Acoustat TNT-120, ARC 100.2, Anthem Statement A2 and finally the LFD Mk IV). The Spirolinks were such a positive experience that in under a month, I purchased a pair of the LFD Hybrid Ribbons in England and these remain in my system now. It was a $350 learning experience (see listing lol). Have not heard the Nordost, so can't comment there. |
I just took delivery on the new Exemplar/LSA Statement Plus integrated amp. Frankly, I have never heard anything better. Whatever John Tucker is doing to this integrated 150 watt amp, it is shockingly good. |
Thanks Frederick. I heard from one post that in order for us to get the most out of our amps, the LFD cables are a must, whic I find hard to believe. I'm currently running Nordost Hiemdalls which I like very much, just curious to get your thoughts. Thanks again, J. |
Jayh31,
LFD Spirolink (1 meter) interconnect for phono....Kimber Hero for all other sources. To my ears, the Kimbers sound just as sweet.
I have 2 pr of speaker cables....LFD Spirolink I (3 meters), and Hybrid ribbon (3 meters). Both cables are very very good. With my Harbeth C7ES3, the hybrid ribbon cables have the slight edge with more lower end weight. But you really can't go wrong with either as these cables are so synergistic with the LFD Mk IV and NCSE. |
Frederick, I just took delivery on the NCSE, which LFD interconnects/cables are you using? Thanks, J. |
LFD LE Mk. IV Signature. IMHO this is an extremely high value and well balanced SS integrated amp that just sounds right. I've been fortunate to visit audio salons domestically/internationally and have heard this integrated with many different combinations of sources, speakers, cables and music. Dr. Bews has refined the design and component selection over many years and created some real magic. We ended up with the Mk IV Sig, Harbeth C7ES3, LFD interconnects and speaker cables, analog and digital front ends are all holographic! |
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Gopher, which 211 tubes do you like? |
What about the Jadis DA 88. I remember it causing quite a stir in HiFi +.
Also, I might have missed it, but I didn't see a mention of the ASR integrated. |
I can't say it is the best integrated out there, but for a little under $6k the Melody AN211 integrated is outrageously good. I don't think I could get this level of performance and musicality out of separates anywhere near the price (I've owned Shindo and 845 set monos).
Just ditch the crap 211 tubes it comes with and plug something nice in and this thing is special, provided it meets your power needs. |
Anyone heard the Neodio NR 1200 Yes, I have. It offers a very detailed sound -- i.e. high frequencies are stable and strong. Vs the Dart, I felt it was more precise, perhaps even, a bit drier. Another outstanding integrated is the Vitus Signature ~25W/channel amp. I preferred that to the Gryphon -- albeit, the Gryphon is more powerful & thereby more versatile. |
I owned the Neodio NR600 signature and it certainly would qualify as one of the top integrated available. I did prefer it to the Gryphon Diablo in my system. |
the one i've owned since selling off all my class A amps, tube amps, preamps, on and on and on...
Carver's ultimate receiver by Sunfire...handles any load, sounds great, and inexpensive. After years of moving gear in and out and choosing to get out of the racket this is it...even has a phono stage and am-fm tuner. Where else can one find a former $4k receiver that sells for $1k and sounds like a million bucks. Don't knock it 'til u've tried it. |
It is probably impossible to specify the "best" integrated amp. But if you're looking for a good one in the $800-$1000 (USD) range, you should give the Rega Brio-R an audition. I just bought one to replace my old NAD c740 receiver and the Rega is a big bump up in terms of depth, clarity and detail. I've mated it to pair of GoldenEar Aon-3 bookshelf speakers and I've never heard better sounding music in my residence. My other components are" Rega Apollo CD player; Rega P2 turntable (bias-2 cartridge). |
Anyone heard the Neodio NR 1200 or Norma IPA-140. I'm curious if there on the same level as the Dartzeel-Gryphon-Vitus or VAC. |
Give the Mystere ia11 a try for the money. I think it's a sleeper among the competition.
http://www.mystere-usa.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=89&Itemid=165 |
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I am biased being a lover of low power high quality amps and high sensitivity speakers but for me and many like me the best amp period is my Audio Note Ongaku (Japan , Kondo era mid 90s) I am selling it to raise cash for house move.
Enquiries welcome |
My Musical Fidelity kw500, upgraded by MuFi, is a fantastic amplifier. Quite, transparent, neutral, immensely powerful. I suppose it would be nice if it were balanced instead of coax, but I find its performance excellent nonetheless. |
I've been really happy with the NAD M3 integrated amp I've owned for nearly 2 years. I've driven B&W 695's, B&W CM5's and now a pair of Totem Element "Fire" monitors, with a Velodyne subwoofer, and all have sounded great! I listen to all sorts of music (except rap & country), at all volume levels and the amp drives the speakers beautifully, no matter how loud or what sort of music they are playing. |
As has been said, there is no best. That being said, I believe that my Bryston B135sst2 is the best for the money. I have only had it a short time, however I know from comparison that it is very unlikley that any thing else would match it with my system.
dmacg |
Thats 100% correct buddy!
The amp that is musically engaging that lets you forgot about all your gear is the best amp period!
I have a little Redgum RGi60 that does that. |
Best integrated? Easy.
To the music lover: It is the integrated you already own.
To the Audiophile/equipment lover: It is your NEXT integrated, the one you are lusting for right now! |
Well they have had ample time to clean their ears, but over the decades the results are the same. A socialist plot?? They like everything and everybody to be the same. |
Ha!
Everyone in those blind tests must have had wax in their ears. |
Well, since NO ONE has ever been able to ID amps in blind tests, which means they all 'sound' alike, I therefore don't understand the question. |
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although I no longer own one my vote would be for Sansui AU-919 or my Mitsubishi DA-A10DC mated to my DA-p10 makes a hell of an integrated but since it is only bolted together I am unsure if it qualifies as an integrated or not |
The best is yet to come.. |
Hi used to own the Dartzeel CTH-8550 which for me was the best integrated amp to have graced my humble abode. It did not quite scale the heights in performance of a CJ ACT2.2 and CJ Premier 350SA combo I had but provided one of the most engaging sounds ever in an integrated amp I have ever heard...
That is until a Vitus RI-100 rudely made its entrance!
Think of the Dartzeel engaging sound with amazing punch and vitality to the music. Real performances sound as real as 'real'!
Best integrated I have heard period! |
Trigon Energy. Heard it at the Jacksonville 2012 AXPONA show. Went to listen to a Audio Physiks demo and came away impressed with the integrated. It is one of the most accurate and musical HIFI components I have ever heard. It is a steal at 5k. |
I've had some good ones and enjoyed each of them immensely. Integrateds at various price points and for specific purposes i.e.:system matching, in no particular order: McIntosh MA2275 (not awesome), BAT VK300X SE (very good), Cary SLI80 F1 (twice, lush and euphonic depending on tubes), Naim Supernait (not bad, punchy but a little grainy at times), Shindo Apetite (very cool with the right speakers, trumped Leben et al), VAC Sigma 160i (incredibly rich and detailed, more versatile than any other tube integrated I've owned) and a Nagra 300i (OMG, nothing I've heard even comes close!!!). I've demoed ASR, Boulder, Mcintosh solid state, etc.
BUT....there is no best. |
David, I agree. To my ears, I've tried Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista M3 and Ayre AX-7e with the Usher Dancer Mini 2 and none of them gave me satisfactions as what the Unico S6 SE offers. |
Just goes to show, I tried out a Unison Research S6, not the SE version and I thought it was frankly poor, dull, lacking in detail, dynamics. All these opinions are system, particularly speaker dependent and ear of course.
I still say, I have heard nothing to match the Dartzeel integrated. I had a chance to hear the Devaliet amp recently, with the Dartzeel next door. It's an amp that is flavour of the month at the moment. Yes it was good, the Dartzeel clearly better. |
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I WOULD NEVER SAY WHICH AMPLIFIER IS BEST AS WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT EARS , BUT AS THE OWNER OF MANY SERIOUS AMPS I HAVE TO SAY THAT I MUST PUT THE YAMAMOTO A-011 2A3 INTERGRATED FOUR WATTER INTO THIS DISCUSSION PERIOD. AS WE KNOW SPEAKER SELECTION IS PARAMOUNT AS WELL AS EMISSION LABS 2A3 MESH PLATES / AWESOME MUSIC APPRECIATION DEVICE! |
If you do not limit yourself to solid state only, I would recommend you to look into:
1. Sophia Electric 126S tube integrated amplifier, plenty of power to drive speakers above 86dB, and with very magical tube flavor and lush tube sound. The Price is reasonable for its looks and performance.
2. Sophia Electric 91-03 300B tube integrated amplifier for those who has more efficient speakers(two way speakers above 88 dB).
Amplifier Information is at www.sophiaelectric.com. Email me if you have interests or questions.
William |
What about the Lindemann 885 Integrated Power Amplifier?
The 885 amp is comprised of two entirely separate amplifiers which are housed together in one unit. The only connection between the two channels is at the power socket. Each channel is equipped with a 500-watt transformer all of its own. The amplifier is a fully balanced stereo integrated amplifier with dual mono supplies. I believe the price is about $11,900.
http://www.lindemann-audio.de/en/products/800-series/integrated-amplifiers/885-integrated-power-amplifier/product-features/
I have never heard this unit but it looks very interesting (except for the price). Any comments? |
I had auditioned the Magnum Dynalab MD 309 in my home for 10 days, as I had a friend who owned it and he ''insisted'' I try it out.
Well, to keep things polite, Magnum should stick to tuners.And since tuners are pretty much ''out'' - what is for them to do except try to expand in other (and new to them) directions? This is about as far-removed as I can get from my idea of the best integrated out there.
The light show looks kind of ridiculous, while I found the sound to be sterile and not involving, unfortunately. For the price, ouch! Who are we kidding here? |
Some others not mentioned that may be worth looking into.
Magnum Dynalab MD 309. This is a hybrid design. This one at least one great review.
Hegel H200. This one was the TAS component of the year for 2011.
Chapter Audio Precis 250S- compact nice looking. Has a class D amplification stage.
Leema Acoustics Element.
Canor Audio TP 106 VR- This is another nice look integrated and is hybrid design. They use the 6550 tubes.
Anyone heard the above integrated amps? |
Add Rega Osiris, another reference level int amp |
Anyone heard the new ModWright KWI 200 Integrated yet? For starters, looks nice and has plenty of power. |
I have owned a VAC Sigma 160 Integrated with optional Bal input and MC Phonostage for about 6 months now. I would heartily recommend an audition to anyone looking for a high quality integrated amp. I use this with Tannoy speakers and TW Acustic Raven One analog and Macbook/ARC DAC8 for digital sources. Without getting crazy expensive, this setup more than meets my desires. It seems to handle authoritative bass like one would expect from a quality SS amp and has the liquidity and midrange quality that I have only experienced so far with good tube amps. Fewer boxes and cords are a nice bonus but the sound quality is what works for me. No interest in looking for something else at this point. Spending time buying more vinyl and discs/downloads. Hope this helps anyone looking to narrow their short list for audition. |
To say there is a period obviously implies a couple of ideas. One that there bis an absolutely best integrated. This notion implies that there is an objective measure of best which is clearly not the case. As you see from all the responses there are many many notion of the best. The second most obvious period notion implies an end to the evolution in amp building meaning that no better amp will ever be developed, also highly unlikely. |
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I used to have Luxman 509u and while very good, neutral integrated, my current chinese Vincent V-60 is a much better sounding amplifier for half the cost (must be the tubes). Of course, wouldn't be able to drive B&W speakers. |
