Let's hear which integrated amp surprised you and maybe even had you shaking your head in disbelief.
Watch the first response be, 'no $5k integrated is that good' blah blah blah. You know how it is, lot of old fogeys on here that are done censoring themselves and take it out on the thread.
Also, if I've missed the cutoff and there's just this $6k or $7k amp that is worth consideration, feel free to mention.
I just purchased a SET 120 Control Amplifier and Vision Q phono preamp from Frank Van Alstine last week to compare with the Rogue Audio Sphinx V3 I was currently using (and enjoying) to drive a pair of Vandersteen 3A Sigs.I find the AVA SET 120 Control Amp to be an absolutely wonderful match for my Vandys, so much so that I will be selling my Sphinx V3. It’s a great value.
I had several questions about the amplifier regarding compatibility with my speakers and the combo deal discount on the Vision Q phono preamp with the SET 120.I left a message and Frank called me back the same day.In addition, I emailed him additional questions and he answered my inquiries promptly.I also was told there would be a 3 week wait due to some back ordered parts (chassis feet). However, it turned out only to be a 1 week wait.Very good customer service in my experience.
Plinius - used if you can find one - saw mine (older model 8200Mk II) for <$2K - US distribution has suffered in recent years. New lists for $8000 - 200 W/C, saw a new one on eBay for $6500. I you just want to get an amp and forget about it, this is the one. If you are a hobbyist and like to roll tubes or constantly have upgradeitis, this is not for you. Fantastic sound, plenty of power, and bulletproof.
Recently heard an Octave Audio, V40 tube integrated at a shop just outside Boston while the OA rep was there. Going back to to hear it again as I can't get it out of my head. I've got some pretty solid gear but this amp was super rich, powerful and dynamic with a big vintage set of Snell A. Might have been the speakers but have a sneaky feeling it was the amp. Have heard them a ton of times & really like them for what they are but NEVER have they sounded like this. Just my opinion
sorry, I didn't read the whole thing but your question is too vague.
Balanced or SE or does it matter?
and the most important... how much power do you need?
I use an Antelope Zodiac DAC that has analog inputs and the headphone output has plenty of power to drive my Avantgarde horns. It is awesome but for most people it is a non starter with the low power output, but goes straight to my initial point, your ask is way to vague to get any meaningful answers.
Nice thread, lots of good suggestions here. For a super integrated the Devialet Expert Pro 140 (or 220 used) is amazing. Network streamer, DAC, phono stage, pre and power amp, will drive darn near anything. Roon ready. Amazing pristine SQ. I replaced a stack of separates, ARC pre, Hugo 2 DAC, Quicksilver monos, Pass amp, thousands in cables, blah blah blah, with one sleek device and couldn’t be happier. Check out the S’phile and Tone reviews.
Haven’t heard many but of those I’ve done serious seat-time with, these are the ones I believe are worth every cent!
McIntosh MA5200 Musical Fidelity M6si Simaudio Moon NEO 340 IX Luxman (can't remember model number but competitor to the MAC MA5200, at the time, around 4 or 5 years ago and might have been a bit more than 5 grand. In A/B between 2 and 3 hours with Focal Aria 936 + Rega P3 with Ortofon Blue + Rega Apollo CD, the MAC & this Luxman were virtually indistinguishable from each other.)
The Synthesis Roma 96 integrated has a built in phono stage and a quite decent DAC. This 25 w/ch tube integrated delivers very good sound for the money. Spend a bit more (or find used) and the Synthesis A40 is a better, and more versatile amp.
Naim Supernait 3. Fully class A preamp and headphones. Very good MM phono section. Supernait 3 has a hefty power supply to hold the music signal. The ring core transformer can draw as much as 400 VA from the mains, which is the same as 400 watts. By only using 80 watts for music delivery, you achieve a very stable operation, from a power supply that is never short of breath.
Well I am going back her a bit but for an integrated SS amp I would say the NAD3140.... I fired one up a few months ago in my shop and everyone instantly gave it attention..
For tube I would say and old Sherwood S7700 or equivalent, that amp punches way above its price point.
Without evens 2 nd thought ,with discounts just a bit more then $5k the Coda CSIB integrated amp many people don’t know Nelson Pass was part of the same engineering crew atThreshold audio ,but a great integrated amp go to stereotimes for the latest model ,review and 3 power options for the same price ad for sure biggest transformer 3 kva and potted for even lower noise and many other things you won’t get .it competes well at anything even at$10 k it’s retail $6500 Audio Archon I got mine And bought his line of cables which are a bargain.
To follow up on my Van Alstine issue. This was over 20 years ago. I had a Model 2 SS amp. Absolutely loved the sound, it was beautiful. Had an issue, called Van Alstine for help. Was told that I might as well trash it. They had no schematics (that they would share or had lost) and would not work on it. This is not an issue with a "quality" company. You can call McIntosh or Audio Research and many others with some of the first stuff they made and they will address it and take care of it at an expected expense. Yes, it still bothers me and really pisses me off. It was a wonderful sounding piece of equipment that was put out with the trash. I do still own a very early piece of Van Alstine's, it is a Dynaco ST-70 that Frank did years and years ago, before starting his own company. I feel okay owning this and have even had it recapped after I had a few failing. The schematics for a ST-70 are pretty much public domain.
You don’t need to spend anywhere near that kind of money.
My system is 100k plus. I have had many amps over the years, high end and others, and spent a lot of money on this wonderful hobby.
Ultimately, it will come down to three main variables:
1. the speakers you are using (including the space they are operating in). I regard this as one consideration; 2. your budget; 3. music you listen to.
As a general proposition, the Willsenton R8. which is less than $900 US, plus shipping, is a wonderful amp. I can tell you that from personal experience.
That said, it will all depend upon those three factors referred to above.
Enjoy the hobby, as its all about enjoying the experience and not stressing over the minutia. 5k for some is a lot of money and as I said, you don’t need to spend anywhere near that kind of money.
I have a soft spot for good integrated amps, and, while the list is short compared to many audiophiles, I have enjoyed a few good ones over the years.
The list includes:
PASS Aleph (many years ago) Bryston 4B (ditto) Jeff Rowland Concentra I (loved it; >$5k, but I bought it used) re-capped Accuphase e-303x (fabulous for a vintage amp) HEGEL h190 (hard to fault)
Which leads to my answer to the OP’s question: the GATO AMP-150
This Danish-designed amp is largely under-the-radar in the U.S., but fairly well-known and received by audiophiles in Europe. The unusual aesthetics are somewhat polarizing – some love it, others, not so much. But I find the sound produced to be exceptionally good. It is very neutral/accurate, but with a touch of warmth, which I happen to like.
I used the GATO, HEGEL and Accuphase with my current Harbeth 30.1
The topology is interesting, and worth reading about (or watch the reviews below).
FWIW, but Steve Guttenberg and John Darko loved the amp, and have dedicated episodes to it. Darko compared it both directly and favorably to the more expensive Hegel H390.
To say "there is no best" is absolute hogwash. He didn’t ask "what is the best". he asked "what is the best YOU’VE heard". Everyone has their own criteria. The other mistake is to omit the "why" you think was the best you’ve heard so as to establish personal preferences in sound to correlate with the op preferences. The last mistake is to talk in audiophile jargon: What the hell is "I like it because it sounds musical" supposed to mean..Huh? Or.."it brings out the emotion". or "it sounds warm". What? What is "warm " to you mean? Your "emotions" are your own. Do you even know why that happens?
So pure and simple, what’s the best you’ve heard so far in your life and WHY? For me, with my ProAc Studio 100’s.under 5k, it was I 30 series (w the exception of the I-32) from Primare. I like clarity, neutrality, timbre correctness, impactful first transient notes along with no treble round off and harmonic weight which is really a bit of distortion added. These are the qualities that imbue "realism" for me and a perfect balance between clinical and muddled. So this is the practical side of me. I hesitate to mention what the epitome of what I’ve heard in intergrateds is for me: that being the Line Magnetic 845iA. This thing is big (73 lbs) runs as hot as Hades and is my preference single ended configuration. It can be lethal if touched incorrectly and will burn your skin off if you brush against the 845’s. Not the best to have w young grandkids around the home and it being the only amp source when listening to holiday music w everyone around. Other than that, it is truly the best I’ve heard for the above mentioned criteria.
@hoosierinohio I have always received great support and fast response from AVH never an issue nor have I ever had an issue with their gear... But everyone is challenges these days with staffing, supply-chain and logistics.
Van Alstine should either be highly discounted or not bought at all. You think communication halts when you ask for a discount, just hope you don't have an issue. You will find that you own a really expensive boat anchor.
The Sugden A21se @ $3250 is quite a bargain. Also, my Marantz pm14s1 @ $3000....both the best I’ve ever owned. Also the Unison Research unico primo and the Naim Nait 5si...Next, I'm going to try a Van Alstine SET 120 control amplifier, just because, only $1199. It should let the source components speak for themselves, as it has only a passive preamp, volume control and input selector. You are hearing only the amp, and from what I’ve read, it’s a great sounding amp. 60 watts @ 8 ohms, 120 into 4....first 10 watts biased class A. Communication with Frank came to a halt when I inquired about a discount, lol.
The term "integrated" traditionally has been short for "integrated amplifier". However, in the world of digital streaming systems, the part that really matter to SQ and functionality isn't so much the power amp but the pre-amp, along with the DAC. Therefore, it may make sense to focus the integration farther up the chain. For about $5K or less, there are many good products that integrate streaming, D-A conversion, and pre-amp capabilities (volume control and source-switching). The Cambridge Audio Edge NQ, for example. Others include the NAD Masters M33, Matrix Audio Element series, iFi Pro iDSD, and Bryston BDA 3.14. You'll need to pair one of these with a good power amp, but the resulting total cost (and box-count) could wind up in about the same territory as you'd get with an integrated amp and source (e.g. turntable, CD player, or dedicated streamer).
At some point (say, the next 5-10 years) the integrated amp as we know it may be going the way of the stereo receiver. If you're already marrying source selection and volume control to your streamer/DAC, it is redundant to integrate these functions with the power amp as well. Separating the power amp then creates opportunities for mono-block or multi-channel configurations, along with the smaller footprint of a modern power amp like the Benchmark AHB2. Or use active speakers, for no visible amplifier footprint at all.
Of course, none of the above applies if you are into vinyl, tubes, and low-wattage SET amps.
Limited scope of experience here, but my Hegel H390 drives my Dynaudio Contour 30s quite nicely. Factor in the very competent dac and streamer, it’s a solid choice. Lack of long promised Roon readiness deserves a demerit however.
I have a list of highly regarded integrated amps in your price range, but haven’t personally heard them except a well regarded previous generation amp. Also, the sonics of the integrated depends on the rest of the audio chain and room interactions.
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