I was fortunate enough to obtain a Dartzeel CTH-8550 integrated amp recently. I am not claiming it is the best integrated period as have not heard every integrated created in history. I doubt anyone has.
But it is so good as to give my CJ ACT2.2 and CJ Premier 350SA a run for its money and is threatening to replace it. The CJ combo is up there with the best pre and power out there at its price point so to have an integrated amp in the Dartzeel provide a very similar level of enjoyment says it all. |
Well i am using a Chord CPM-2600 with a Chord One Cd player with 81db Acoustat's 1+1s with very nice results i can tell you after living with Acoustat's electrostatics for more than 27 years this is no easy feat for any amplifier i know that there are better amps out there but for how much money ?????.
[IMG]http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz61/MrAcoustat/AndrSystme1600x1200.jpg[/IMG] |
Mr A what type of amplifier is the Chord?
Class A, AB, or is it a D class amp?
I know you never thought much of D amps before,perhaps the Chord is an exception, or you finally tried one and found out that D amps can have some merit.I liked the sound of my Red Draggon D amps.Andre, have you figured it out yet?
Anyway, it's off topic, but when I had Acoustat medallian 3 speakers I used a Conrad Johnson MV75A-1 and a CJ premier 2 preamp, and this was all the power I need to make the Acoustats sing.
I also used to own a nice Cary 300sei,it was great integrated,perhaps not the right match in this case, but one never knows unitl one tries. |
I recently purchased the VAC Sigma 160i integrated amp with MC phono and balanced input.
This integrated amp is detailed but liquid and smooth and the bass is completely authoritative without any bloom. The 160i is neutral (not tubey at all), with great air, transparency, and top-end extension. Soundstaging is deep, wide, and tall with excellent image density and separation.
I admit I was very, very hesitant to give up my separates, especially my Art Audio Vinyl Reference. The MC phono of the 160i, like the VR, uses Lundahl transformers, has a very similar sonic character, and to my ears is every bit it's equal. Due, I suspect, in no small measure to the short signal path and common ground made possible by the integrated platform. IMHO, Kevin Hayes has truly designed a tour de force for the vinyl lover.
I have absolutely No Regrets musically, financially, or aesthetically! The VAC integrated allowed me to get rid of three HRS isolation bases, three expensive power cords, and two pairs of reference interconnects - an investment about equal to the separate components. My music room is a whole lot less cluttered-looking to boot.
For anyone looking for true reference level amplification in an integrated package and who has speakers that can be driven with 85 tube watts per channel, the VAC Sigma 160i may well put an end to your search. I give it the highest possible recommendation.
FWIW, I have also owned the ASR Emitter Blue and can say the VAC 160i beats it hands down. Also, the ASR is really more of an "integrated in function" amp, than an "integrated package" because it is not a one-box solution.
Footnote: While the VAC "Alpha Integrated" was the 160i's immediate predecessor, the 160i is not in any way a derivative of the Alpha Integrated design. The latter was a merging of circuits already developed and used in the Phi preamp and Phi amps. The Sigma 160i was designed from scratch on a blank sheet of paper. This no doubt accounts for its almost magical musical reproductive abilities. While it lacks the "eye candy" and "audio jewelery" qualities of the venerable Phi Beta 110i, it is in every other way a most worthy successor. |
When deciding on a integrated amp for purchase, the most critical thing to look for are the noise level's. If the amp and preamp in the integrated have S/N levels below 100 db's than you will wind up with a noisy product. The Gryphon Diablo amp S/N ratio is a terrible 88 db's. The Krell S-300i also has poor number's. Preamp S/N is 93 db's and the amp S/N is 94 db's. Vitus refuses to put their S/N
numbers on their website for the new RI-100 integrated. The best value integrated amp which is dead quiet and has a very rich musical quality is the Simaudio Moon 700i. The Preamp S/N is 120 db's. Thats damn impressive and hard to find an integrated anywhere with that high number. The amp section has a S/N of 105 db's. These are the kind of numbers you find in separate components. |
"The VAC integrated allowed me to get rid of three HRS isolation bases, three expensive power cords, and two pairs of reference interconnects - an investment about equal to the separate components.”
AinÂ’t it wonderful? |
When deciding on a integrated amp for purchase, the most critical thing to look for are the noise level's. If the amp and preamp in the integrated have S/N levels below 100 db's than you will wind up with a noisy product So in your opinion the VAC Sigma 160i which has a glowing review above - but has a dismal 69 dB S/N ratio must be a flawed product? |
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Audiozen and Kiwi, with all due respect......I believe the 69 S/N ratio being mentioned in an above post is an approximate for the PHONO STAGE S/N ratio, not the amp/pre-amp S/N Ratio.
My experience with VAC gear leads me to believe that the 69 is estimated on the low side...it would probably measure much better AND, 69 is quite good for a phono stage.
I've seen excellent stand alone phone stages that did not exceed the 69 that VAC conservatively approximates. For instance, Leben's new phono stage AT ITS BEST, measures in the mid 60's and that was after Atkinson of Stereophile had to perform some work to get it above the mid to high 40's.
VAC doesn't publish all of the numbers necessary for those who love keeping score at home, they just build great gear. To my knowledge, they have not published the S/N ratio of the amp/preamp sections.
Mine is dead quiet by the way and continues to get better and better....regards all. |
Ghasley..the S/N number's I posted are on SS Integrated's only without phono stages. As always, the best way to test the noise from your component's is turn the volume/gain knob up
to max with no music signal and put your ear up against the tweeter. The best designs are as quiet as a tomb. Integrated's often have lower numbers since the amp/preamp are on one platform. Simaudio uses their patented Lynx or Renaissance circuit design which produces a much lower noise floor. For Sim to create an integrated with a S/N of 120 db's from the Pre section is a rare achievment. You will always hear some noise on very quiet low level music passages from a product with low numbers. It is subtle, but there. |
Audiozen, do you sell both Magico and Simaudio? |
You don't even have to listen music to decide what amp sounds best, makes life much easier. |
Tbg..No, I am not a dealer. Just an Audiophile for 35 years.
There is no way in hell I would buy a Magico speaker. I judge a product on longevity and word of mouth reputation over magazine hype that puts products ahead of the line based on annual advertising contracts. Simaudio has been around since 1980 and their separates I have heard over the years are very musical and rich sounding. As far as speaker's, there are three models out there today selling for under $10K that will perform as well as speakers costing up to $40K a pair. The Swans M6F at $3750.00 a pair. The new Polk LSIm 707 at $4K a pair, and the best under $10K speaker that Michael Kelly has made to date from Aerial Acoustics, the new 7T at $9850.00 a pair. |
So Audiozen, if it is all about the S/N performance what do you think of the Devialet D-Premier? It cites a 130dB SNR and that my friend is without filters (unweighted). |
What did you do Kiwi?..go fishing for numbers on anything out there?. The Devialet only weighs 14 lbs and is not a world class Analog integrated. It is a digital/analog hybrid with a class D modulator. Ho Hum..not in the same league as Simaudio. My focus is addressing an integrated that has the same low noise level's equal to the performance of the best separates. The Simaudio 700i weighs 54 lbs. and has power reserves that are not attainable in the Devialet. It is hard to find a high end analog integrated
that performs as well as the best separates. The Devialet is a great product for rich college kids in the U.K. since it comes with an Ipod docking station. ZZZzzzzzzz.... |
Kiwi_1282001, at the RMAF, I got my first listen to the Devialet. After a very few moments we left. It was nothing that I would want. |
Audiozen, sorry! I thought it sounded too much like sales rhetoric. I made my first kits in 1958. I am further down the hill, but still going strong. Give the LSA1 Statements a listen if you can. |
Tbg..was one of your kits from David Hafler's Dynaco company? Very popular back then. |
Audiozen, yes it was and mono. Also Heathkits were good. And you put everything on a shelf and plugged it into the ac. |
Tbg..Too bad you couldn't afford back then the first stereo receiver in history from Harman, the Festival 1000, hooked up to a pair of AR speakers. My first system in the seventies was a pair of large Advents, a Dual 701 turntable
with a Shure V-15 cartridge, and the Sansui AU-7900 integrated amplifier at 75 watts into 8ohms..the sound was gorgeous.. |
Audiozen, I couldn't afford much back then. Later I want a Fisher 500, but they had been discontinued. I bought a Fisher 400T. My first transistor amp; what a joke! Strangely, I am back to all transistor equipment now.
I would love to be able to go back to those earlier times when I was convinced that I had good sound. I bet I didn't! |
Tube: Leben
SS: Jeff Rowland Concentra II
Buy used |
Hi to everyone, I write form Italy.
I am a proud owner of the Luxman 509u class AB integrated amplifier.
I think it's one of the best int.amps in the world, very neutral and balanced sound, it's able to drive any speaker (Luxman demoed the 509u with B&W 802D) and to play every kind of music.
Very fast, dynamic sound with great extension on top and bottom end, great soundstage depht, the best bass control in an integrated amplifier, today.
In my room it drives B&W 803D speakers, cables are all (power cords, balanced interconnects and two pairs of speaker cables in biwire configuration) Cardas Golden Reference, source Luxman D06.
A Purepower APS 3000 regenerator will make the sistem complete (I ordered it two days ago). |
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. |
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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. |
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. |
Anyone heard the new ModWright KWI 200 Integrated yet? For starters, looks nice and has plenty of power. |
Add Rega Osiris, another reference level int amp |
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? |
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? |
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? |
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 |
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! |
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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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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! |
The best is yet to come.. |
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 |
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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. |
Ha!
Everyone in those blind tests must have had wax in their ears. |
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. |
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! |
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. |
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 |
