krell fbi for ss and mc2275 for tube. |
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Best two integrateds :
AM audio excellence line
Analog domain new ISIS |
Regarding dacs used to hear the Hegel 200,300
We did not use the Hegel internal dac ,it is decent but the Meitner Ma-1
We used is in another catagory.the sonic balance I described is accurate.
The only thing I am doing next is buying a balanced set of MIT -HD23
Interconnects which are excellent to see how much better XLR cables sound on the Hegel.
One guy said it is the ticket for best sound on the Hegel .make sure the
Other dac, or player is fully balanced down stream to reap the benefits. |
Anyone own a Krell 550i ? |
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I really like my Audio Research DSI 200. Very reliable, powerful, Dynamic, Accurate and works great with tube sources. |
Joeyboynj, have you been out of the country or without the internet? Why all the postings? |
DarTZeel CTH 8550- and its not remotely close |
Keithr, what do you mean? What is not even close to the DarTZeel? All integrateds? |
I think he means that nothing performs close to the DarTZeel. I sure hope he's right because the cost of admission is up there. I'm not implying it's not worth it. It's a matter of means and priority. |
I believe two of these maybe poweramps with passive preamps at the front, that have input switching, no active preamplifier as such, the Vitus SS101, and APL UA-S1.
Many are doing this these days, esspecially among tube integrateds.
Cheers George
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the best buy // simaudio i5 and hegel h80 |
Hands down the Musical Fidelity m6 500i. It kills the Mcintosh stuff |
The Jeff Rowland Continuum S2 is comparable to some of the very best separates IMHO. By far the best integrated I've ever heard. |
The new Exemplar Audio Exception integrated is smokin good. The preamp is total high end and at only 50 watts is will surprise you. |
I agree with you HighEndBob, I heard the Rowland S2 at RMAF 2013, and found it to be an amazingly resolving and musical device... And it can take an optional phono or DAC card for only a few hundred dollars more. Roy Gregory posted a very favorable review of Continuum S2 the Audio Beat last January:
http://www.theaudiobeat.com/equipment/jeff_rowland_continuum_s2.htm
A good amount of information on Continuum S2 can also be found at:
http://jeffrowlandgroup.com/kb/categories.php?categoryid=211
If I were not spoiled by my Rowland M925 monos, I would consider Continuum S2 extremely seriously.... And with its 400W per side into 4 Ohms essentially doubling into 4 Ohms, it should drive my beloved Vienna Die Muzik with true grace.
Guido |
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.. Some sure about the veracity of that verbiage, but you get a gold star for creative writing and humor. Best few lines I have read in a while. Viva Solista is the best I have owned and heard to date. |
Tell us how you really feel don't hold back!
When was the last time a Jadis was mentioned?
Clever description but definitely not accurate. The use of KT-90s is a problem with certain editions of Jadis amps IMO. This can be easily addressed in most cases |
I was wondering the same thing. Who mentioned Jadis to start that tirade? |
If your interested in an amazing integrated check out the Exemplar Audio Exception. It is mind blowing good, especially if you have a topnotch front end. It simply sounds beautiful. It retails for less than many of the integrated amps mentioned in this thread but won't take a backseat. |
I've been waiting and looking to see Decware but I don't think it's been mentioned. But I'd like some opinions as I'm about to pair a Decware with Zu Omen speakers.
Thoughts? |
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Thankful, I too find this unit exceptional. Frankly, I found it hard to believe that it had an amp within. One feels little or no heat eminating from it. It works on my 86 db speakers as well as the 4 ohm load 93 db efficient speakers. I have yet to buy one at this point as I have one of John Tucker's LSA Statements. Its 200 watts per side is unneeded here. When I sell it, I will be getting the Exemplar Exception integrated amp. |
Hi, Dan D Agistno just came out with an intergrated amp, Brand new product, I do not no anything about it yet, however, I seen pics on the net, very impressive work-man-ship, If it's anything like the amps, This would be an intergrated amp to be recond with! |
Not having listened to every integrated amp (and who has?) I can not say what's the best. I can only speak from my experience. I've owned 4- NAD 3020; Naim Nait 3; Rogue Tempest II Magnum; currently a Pass INT-150.
I really did not care for the Naim and returned it- maybe it was defective but I found it very strident. The NAD was fun and I had that in my home office for a while. The Rogue was and remains excellent. I liked it more than my prior CJ gear but last year I decided that after 10 years of tubes, I was going back solid state.
I once heard an AR integrated and thought it has a little light in low end oomph. |
Just jumping back in to give kudos to the Exemplar gear. I now have about several hours on this unit and it is really sounding great. I also have been using John's Exception DAC and the Oppo 105 as the transport. I have had some amazing gear on my rack (tube momo-blocks, etc...) but none have the beautiful SQ that the Exemplar Audio gear has. It is close in bass/lower end to the Bob Carver mono-blocks I owned but not quite there; however, it excels in every other area. Singer's voices are spot on especially the ladies. The pricing is great for such a fabulous component. I was never high on integrated amps but I have no desire to go back to separates. |
The Rowland S2 is Class D....no thanks! |
I have the Krell-S550i and have not heard a better integrated! |
krell fbi, or accuphase e or a series |
Unison Research Unico :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181474998509?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 |
Flyeeee,
Are you selling it? |
I'm telling ya, If you love old krell, and want to be impressed, taking the level to much Higher, if you can swing the dough, you owe it to yourself to go and check out Dan D agistion's new intergrated amp, not saying what's best, I will leave that up to you to decide, anyone that does look into what I am saying here, report your findings back on this thread, cheers gentleman. |
Check out Ayre...they have a new one that looks great ...especially given what I know about Ayre. High priced, but probably great. |
Audiolabyrinth,
Have you auditioned the new Dan D'Agostino integrated? |
For the past week I've had the pleasure of listening to what I consider to be the most natural, non-hifi sounding amplifier I've ever owned....the Clones 25i integrated. Every listening session has me shaking my head in disbelief, not only as to what I'm hearing but why I would want anything else. Bad news for those who refuse to believe good sound is only attainable by spending thousands and thousands of dollars: It's dirt cheap. |
Devilboy, I feel the same way about the Exemplar Exception integrated amp. Unfortunately or I believe fortunately, I have a Koda K 10 preamp and BMC M2 monoblocks and know they are clearly and not surprisingly better. But bang for the buck, the Exemplar is great. |
Tbg, I'm unfamiliar with Exemplar, however doing some quick research shows me that many people are happy with their products. Looks like they make some nice stuff. |
...mine would be Accuphase or Musical Fidelity, because i like solid state resolution and neutrality, but don't want things *too* digitally sharp. i am sure there are others, but i know those offer great quality and a philosophy i like. but that's for me, i would always tell someone to audition until they find their own preferred sound signature. |
A friend has an ARS Emitter I Exclusive which is also quite good. Not the typical German hifi, all strident and bright. I would not call it lush, but rather extremely neutral. It's almost certainly more transparent than is my INT-150 which tends towards warmth and less than rock solid bass grip (OK, I like less than rock solid bass grip as that ripens the bass a bit, which I find appealing) |
Roxy54, No, I have not auditioned the Agostino intergrated, what I am about to tell you is out there weird!, I have listened to the Agostino equipment, Vitus, Roland, etc... you get the picture, are you ready to laugh, of all things on youtube!, I cannot understand as to why all this equipment does sound different on youtube Hugely!, The Agostino equipment floored me with the resolution, warmth, smooth,effortless huge sound stage as presented on the video. |
Just got a Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum. Pretty damn good. |
Good choice Oblgny. Had my Rogue Cronus Magnum for 5 years and it's not going anywhere.
Great amp, company and personnel. Experiment with some tube rolling on the 12au7 and 12ax7's. Mark and Nick can give some good suggestions and I've had great luck with Kevin Deal at Upscale. Currently running a Mazda Cifte 12au7 in the center pre-amp position flanked by 2 La Radio Technique 12au7's. Sounds incredible! |
Luxman l-550ax, 25 watts class a power is the most complete I've had to date after having classe, sonic frontiers, musical fidelity, and many others over the years. I've heard it with lots of different speakers as well and it continuously impresses. I'm using it with efficient living voice speakers and I've been happier and more satisfied with this system than any other in 30 years in this hobby. It also has a great headphone output and phono stage that I would say is equivalent to many of the $1000-$2000 phono stages. |
At the $1k level I'll nominate the Arcam FMJ A19. I've enjoyed mine now for nearly a year. One of the best purchases I have made. I like it more every day both for the amazing music coming from it as well as how it functions. |
At the $5,000 level I'll nominate the $870 Clones 25i. |
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I really liked the Karan KAI 180 and the Ayon Triton...probably would have kept the Triton, but it too hot for my home. |
Best two integrateds I have so far 1st is the kr audio va 900 and the other one is the nu vista 800 musical fidelity. |
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