Musical Fidelity Nu Vista 800
Musical Fidelity M6 500i
Are good option also.
Musical Fidelity M6 500i
Are good option also.
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Constellation makes a nice integrated:
https://www.constellationaudio.com/inspiration/integrated-10
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I would have thought that there would have been wider variety of integrated amps listed on this thread , but then realized that as it’s mostly American posters that much of the selection would of course be related to availability within USA or North America. Within the correct parameters of course : room volume , shape of room, reflective surfaces, quality of electrical power, and component interaction , etc, one does see a lot of choices at various price points . I wonder how this list would be changed today as more choices are available and it’s been some four years since the last post. |
07-21-15: WhattheI hear whatthe you're saying bro. I've kind of been there and done that with integrated amps having owned 4, so for me it's time to evolve into separates. The SIA-025 has a good linestage derived from the SL-102, though of course the full SL-102 is a lot better. I also wanted a bit more control and power to drive my S5's which do like a bit of power, so it became an easy choice. Though the 025 is a remarkable integrated & replaced a Boulder 1060/1010 in my system. |
Mechans, I understand your frustration. Vitus at present have a smaller footprint in the US compared to Europe, Asia & Australia. Fyi, here is a link to their current US Dealers, although I believe USA Tube Audio in Arazona now also carry Vitus Audio. Re: publishing pricing. It is common for high end manufacturers not to publish prices on their website. Gryphon, Soulution, Dartzeel, Goldmund and Pass Labs are all the same. That is due to the exclusive nature of the products and sensitivities around Distribution contracts in different territories. Dartzeel publish their sales policy on their website which states that msrp prices in each country in the Distribution network are determined after taking into account freight and logistics costs, as well as the various taxes applicable in the country concerned. You can find a full Vitus price list here in Euro dollars. But yes, in the end if that gear is out of your reach, there are many other worthy contenders out there. Disclaimer: I have no relationship to Vitus Audio or any other high end manufacturer. Just a passionate audiophile. Hope that helps. |
How do you buy a Vitus sia-025 or anything from them quite frankly? I went to their website and there is no US distributor or dealer. I also have a pet peeve with companies that don't list the price. I understand they are expensive, but it would be nice to know the price I wanted to buy one at some point. Do they keep it a secret so they can charge different people different prices. If is ridiculously expensive those who can't afford it, can't afford it. Secret or no secret. |
I haven't listened to every integrated available and honesty submit nothing can be considered the absolute best. What I can say is the Jeff Rowland Continuum S2 is one of the best components that I've ever had in my system. The Bricasti M1 DAC and Artemis EOS speakers are the only other components that made me just say "WOW". The S2 is powerful, nuanced, and very well made. |
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You did not mention tubes or SS so I will mention the Rogue Cronus Magnum KT100 tubes. Puts out 100 preside,has ample inputs, dual outs for bi-amping or headphone amp if you wish. I owned one for about 2 years. It was trouble free well built, versatile and sounded great. Drove my Van Sweikert VR5 very nicely. I decided to go back to separates from the original thought of simplifying to an integrated. |
In the thread title a request is made for the best integrated amplifier. No consensus will ever be reached on that subject. The one I have been using for the past year is the Jeff Rowland Continuum S2. It is surely the best built and probably the most ergonomically sensitive with the exception of the inexcusably cheesy plastic remote. The amp itself is a beautifully crafted, solid aluminum chassis which you can order with a terrific phono section, an onboard DAC, or neither. The look and feel of this unit are both to die for. It is powered by a Pascal amplifier module providing 400 watts per channel and it rivals any separates on the market, even the Rowland flagship gear. The only real problem with it is the price tag which comes in just under $10K. Of course, you have to expect that kind of pricing when you are discussing "the best" of anything. |
I recently swapped an ARC Phono 6 , LS27 and Ref 150 for a Gryphon Diablo . Part of this was because I was driven by a desire to simplify my system and also because I had been told by others that the Diablo and the Wilson Audio Sashas were a synergistic combo . Although the Diablo doesn't have that ' tube magic ' , it is a very neutral sounding amp , with perhaps a slight lift in the lower bass which gives the Sashas a tad extra warmth in the lower registers .Also , the onboard phono module is fully balanced and very quiet . I am using High Fidelity CT1E interconnects and speaker cables , its a very clean and neautral sounds with more micro detail than the ARC combo , although this could be also due to simultaneously upgrading the speaker cables . Plus I got to sell about $3000 worth of surplus interconnects and power cables , but , but , I miss the magic of owning tubes , one day when I get the money I will probably buy a ref 75 SE and LS17 Se to use in a second system . The Gryphon has some handy functions such as custom naming each input plus the ability to set a maximum usable volume level , I'm actually quite happy with a level of 30 out of a max of 50 . Beware the Gryphon has annoying plastic surrounds on the speaker binding posts that require most spades to be filed down but I opted for bananas , also easier and less fiddly to fit . |
I believe it retails for $5499. If you are interested please let me know and I will point you to a dealer who can work with you. I recommend 90db sensitivity speakers or above. I have the Exemplar Exception integrated and the Oppo 105 that John upgraded and I can tell you they make beautiful music! John's gear is MUSICAL and some of the gear out there is well made and beautiful but the sound is sterile and analytical. I used to own high end separates and I have no desire to go back. Reach out to John Tucker and he can discuss the gear with you. Tell him Kevin in Louisville referred you to him. He is a great guy. |
Okay, I have to say the Exemplar Audio Exception integrated is down right stunning good. John has made another change to the preamp section and it has gone to another level. It has a tube preamp and solid state amplification. It is simply the most MUSICAL piece of gear I have ever had the privilege to have in my home. Highly recommended. |
I've had decent gear for many years; integrateds from NAD, Cambridge and even a pretty good Topping for a zone amp. But a few months ago I purchased an integrated here on Audiogon which has given me a real taste of the high end: a Luxman L500-AX. LOVE it. I read all the magazines and check out the web sites and lust after the esoteric like any self-respecting audiophile, but with the Lux, I really feel like I have something a can live with for a long time! |
Thanks, for the input fellas. I always wondered what owners of the vitus gear thought. I'm trying to decide if I'm going to go deeper in this hobby or downsize. I had a great listening session arc ref3 on revels,high fidelity cables and resonessence dac. Best sound I have ever had. I know it can get better if I get even better with even better components that's why this hobby is crazy |
Like Melbguy1, I also own a Vitus SIA-025. My speakers are Magico Q5's. I recently sold my entire system. Now excluding my Q5's, I have a much smaller 5 box(DAC, Phono Stage, Integrated amp, Turntable/speed control and Music server)system. My room area now(living room/den, kitchen and dining room) is about 600sqf with 10ft ceilings. When desired there is no lack of power. The Vitus produces a very tight and strong bottom end. It could not sound more real! I tire quickly of exaggerated. The Vitus SIA-025 is extremely flexible and has some great internal adjustments. It is a fully balanced integrated amp from input to output that just sounds great. As far as ypsilon goes I own VPS 100. It is an amazing phono stage. It's fit, finish, quality and RIAA are unrivaled. I would never hesitate to suggest their products to anyone. Ypsilon also has a 5 year warrantee. Which many(Vitus) don't and I believe should. I would not hesitate to buy their other products. Hope I did not ramble to much. |
Hi Calvin, I only heard the Audia Flight 2 briefly, but it sounded quite lively (dynamic), neutral in tone (perhaps with a touch of warmth) and quiet. The remote is nice, but a bit fiddly to use. The RI-100 punches well above its weight for what you get. It offers tremendous power and control & will drive any real world speaker load. The RI-100 is a 300watt class a/b amp. It has Vitus essential house sound being that fluid, expressive, analogue-like sound. The RI-100 is much more propulsive and lively in the bass of course than the AF2. It is a little warm, but on the slightly dark side of neutral to my ears. One really remarkable thing about this amp is the way it can adapt to and sound terrific with a range of speakers. That said, Vitus has known synergy with Magico. This guy paired an RI-100 with this Q7's! With the above said, my Vitus SIA-025 is even more pure, mellifluous and resolving & also sounds warmer operating in Class A. It is the more sophisticated of the two, but the RI-100 is good. Very good for the money. |
Calvin, all members on here can do is pass on their advice based on their relative experience and budgets. There is no substitute for auditioning gear (preferably with a brand/type of speaker you like). That's the only way you've find out what sounds good to your ears. Before I bought my Vitus integrated, I listened to the Bladelius Thor Mk3, Rowland Continuum 500, Audio Flight Two, Boulder 865, Dartzeel CTH-8550, Vitus RI-100 & Vitus SIA-025 before finding out what I liked. Let us know where your journey ends. |
@everyone.Thanks for all of your insights and comments. I'm good with it all. It's there. I believe in being straight up as I can. I think all of the comments have been great. I heard that the vitus gear was really good. Melbguy1 made some great suggestions on the integrateds. He seems to know a lot of good brands. I can respect that but I want try as much as I can. So I can get the right amps. |
Seems someone belly ached about me pointing out how a certain member here flips his gear more than Snoop Dog changes his shoes, and thus has no credibility.Some like to roll tubes, dacs, amps ... After all, this is a hobby and that's the definition of a hobby. I judge members by contents of their post and find Mbovaird offers very informative information. I will be in the market a cool running SS amp next summer so will add MF Nu Vista 800 to my list of candidates. Here is lesson in making assumptions; I wasn't responding to your comment.Calvinj, I agree with most of your post but have to agree with Melbguy1 IMHO. |
12-10-14: CalvinjHere is lesson in making assumptions; I wasn't responding to your comment. |
