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. |
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 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 |
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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 |
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. |
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). |
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. |
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. |
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 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. |
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. |
Gopher, which 211 tubes do you like? |
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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! |
Frederick, I just took delivery on the NCSE, which LFD interconnects/cables are you using? Thanks, 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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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 |
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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. |
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....... |
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. |
If I had that kind of money, the Vitus would certainly be on my short list for an audition. |
I'll go with the top Accuphase Class A integrated...
http://www.accuphase.com/model/e-560.html |
Frederklarson, did you get the NCSE? If so, curious to hear your impressions. Thanks, Jay |
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! |
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. |
Anyone heard the Burmester 082 or 032? Should these be part of the conversation? |
Steve, you don't seriously rank your Sansui as the best integrated amplifier period? And sure not ahead of the Vitus? |
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. |
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: 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.. |
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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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. |
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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. |
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. |
My dealer just got the new Ayre AX5 and texted me to tell me I need to come for a listen. He sounds impressed. |
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. |
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 |
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. |
Be careful Sonicbeauty, you'll get scolded by someone for saying there is no best. |
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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) |
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 ! |
The Ayre AX-5 ought to be considered here. I'm trying to figure out how to afford one. |
