Rufipennis, have you heard the Ayre? Comments? |
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! |
Another vote for the ARC VSi60. Amazing amplifier. |
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. |
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? |
Simaudio 600i has treated me very well. Sounds great with my Cremona M. |
Original poster had two good suggestions...Vitus SS-10 and Gryphon Diablo. Not heard Vitus, but love Gryphon. |
Ive yet to hear integrateds that will beat dartzeel cth-8550 and gryphon diablo |
Any body want to sell tell me know , email to me at (anhhoagto4@yahoo.com) please
Thank you |
Any body want to sell Krell KAV 400xi tell me know , email to me at (anhhoagto4@yahoo.com) please
Thank you |
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. |
This is THE BEST thread when I need to put a smile on my face. Hilarious! |
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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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Hegel H100 powerful and very dynamic at the same time |
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. |
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 :-) |
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,
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. |
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. |
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. |
Accessories4less has AI-2000 for $1100 if anyone is interested.
It's the more powerful model with phono stage. |
Audio Analogue: Maestro series (Rev.2).
Real nice integrated amps. Google Audio Analogues webs and you will see a gorgeous set of amps that just drip with quality and outstanding workmanship.
Cheers !! |
Accustic Arts,Power 1 mk.3 |
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According to Ken Kessler in the July 2013 Hi-Fi News, a new contender for the title is the Krell S-550i, if very high power into difficult loads *and* good sound are the criteria. It can drive Apogee Scintillas with 2400 stable watts into 1 Ohm, and regarding sound Kessler didn't miss the ARC Reference 75 or his old Class-A Krell. |
Interesting on the Krell. I always thought Krell stuff was to harsh or bright. I couldn't stand it, but it has been about 10 years since I have heard any of their gear. Maybe things are better in that regard? |
Any good information on a solid state integrated is good news for me. I'm looking to jump ship on tubes. There too many good ones out these days to bother with tubes. There will be a day when tubes are out of the picture. |
I tend to agree with Donjr (Simaudio Moon, D'Agostino, Merrill Veritas, Bully Sound, etc.), but it's difficult to shy away from tube *preamps* like the Audio Research Reference 5 SE, Purity Audio, or Herron. |
There are benefits to integrated, namely not having to drive cables to the amplifier and perfect matching of the line stage with the amplifier circuit. I have seldom used integrated electronics, but recently have been asked to beta test a unit. I for the first real time heard all the benefits of an integrated fulfilled. I will say more when I can. |
Rogers High Fidelity EHF-200
Yeah, its that good |
I used to think the Exemplar/LSA Statement amp was the best integrated but now the Exemplar Audio Exception Integrated is the best I have ever heard. And it weights only 23 pound for 50 watts per side versus the Statement's 85 pounds for 200 watts. I should say that the amp never showed any signs of distress playing loud on 93 db efficient speakers.
The detail, sound stage resolution, timbre of instruments, and just general realism of the sound is outstanding. Truly exceptional for only $4950. |
where to get info on this I.Amp.? |
Sorry, to clarify the Exemplar Audio Exception Integrated amp |
Styxtrekr, That is a good question. Go to exemplaraudio.com It is in the Exception series and will soon be shown. You can email or telephone him now. |
I was wrong about the efficiency of the LSA1 Statements. It is not 93 db but 88 db.
Styxtrekr and others, presently only telephoning John Tucker or emailing can get you much information. A new and fully upgraded webpage will be released later this month. |
I think the best integrated amp in the world depending on your system needs and personal taste would be one of the following; the Kondo Overture, Burmester 909 Mk5, Soulution 530 or Vitus SIA-025 |
I got a Teac AI2000 to replace my ARC VSi60...the Teac sounds more like a tube amp then the ARC...WHAT? Full bodied, refined and articulate with tube like dynamics and harmonic completeness...all for the price of an NAD. |
I have had a few integrated amplifiers... and separates in the past. Rotel; McIntosh; Bel Canto; LFD; Sonneteer; Naim; and pending Hegel design.
The cost was too irresistable to pass up. I bought a Teac AI-1000 as I wait for my more "expensive gear" to arrive.
It might be the find of the decade.
More to follow.... |
For around $1000 virtue audio sensation with upgarded power supply was pretty good option. I added granite audio tube buffer ( upgrade tubes). My sourse is sqeezebox duet with upgraded boulder power supply- anedio d 2 dac, speakers are Fritz audio monitors 7. Fritz himself was very impressed by combination of sensation with minotor 7's.
As most of us in this passion, I'm looking to upgrade, but so far, I haven't found anything that really stands out as a good reason to go trough the hassle of selling the sensation and (possibly) granite audio. I started reading this tread looking for more info for the APL ua s 4. Any of you have/had the Sensation? Any ideas for upgarde up to $2500? A little out of the scope of this tread, but I'll consider monoblocks too, since anedio can be used as apreamp and has balanced uotputs. |
I am still sticking to my guns and saying the Jadis CA-60 is the best integrated to date and likely not to be eclipsed. |
Blah Blah Bleet.
Every Jadis that I have ever heard sounded like a worn out ST-70 with new tubes. There... But not there.
The high end on a Jadis sounds like an old snake trying to whistle and the low end sounds like an in-estrous baboon bouncing up and down on an inner tube....... Soft bloated and damp.. |
You want to talk about the Best
How about Bermeister, Dartzeel,Vitus,Gryphon any ones of these
Will set you back from $15k to over $25k
These are in an other league most of us cannot ever afford these
RRoyce of products and for sure there is some Tube gear hand made in Japan that can hit $100k plus , even cables can set you back $100k
Where does it all end ? While on vacation I saw an I phone 4 with elaborate
14k and Platinum case for $16k - Including phone, now that is a bargain ! |
I don't put a monetary value on sound. That's where I lay down my ears. As an example, I auditioned the Ayre AX5 and chose the Hegel H200 over it. Believe me when I tell you that if I liked the Ayre better I would have made it happen. I got a email from a Hegel dealer who told me that he and everyone who works in his shop prefers the Hegel H200 over the H300. Now that's funny to me and I don't care because I love this amp and I don't need to hear the H300. All I can say about this particular amp is to run it balanced. Huge difference.
It's taken me a long time to finally get to the point where I don't care what any review or person says about anything. I am now so satisfied with my system it blows my mind. I'll never be off the merry go round but I only ride it every 5 years or so. All I have left is Oyaide banana plugs and a sub woofer and this will be my second to last system I ever own. |
@Donjr
Regarding Hegel H200 vs H300, it's possible that a much better external DAC was used for the H200 over the H300's internal DAC. Thus the preference of the less expensive model over the more expensive one. Not saying price is always the determining factor but just want to explore the plausible explanations. I'm genuinely interested in what you have to say because I currently have the H100 and actively looking to move up. Thanks for your comments. |
Hegel 300 vs 300
The 300 has a bit more resolution and air on top,and Very neutral
Sounding ,compared to the 200 a bit on the thin side.the 200
Sounds like a high end Vacuum tube amp with snap and detail and warmer fuller sounding.
Very system dependent on cables, speakers, and source components.
They are both very good just a bit different, that is why how neutral,
Or full sounding the rest of your system is will dictate your purchase . |
Just found a mint 1974 Marantz Japanese model and am blown away at the musicality of the sound. Had the boards re-soldered and new caps put in. Japanese electronics like Sansui and Marantz are second to none. I only see Luxman building this quality stuff any more. |
Styxtrekr, I knew that the Exemplar Exception integrated amp would be at the RMAF but just learned that the exemplaraudio.com page is complete now. |
