Best of the best Integrated amps in 2018

Forgot the ASR Emitter II Exclusive and the Aavik U-300.

I’ve got the Lyngdorf 3400 on order. I think the inclusion of digital room corrrection may make it a valid contender to anything you’ve mentioned. That is, if you don’t mind spending less. 

I would also include the Musical Fidelity NuVista 800. Doesn’t get much attention here, but it is outstanding.

Kr Audio va900

Ayre AX-5 Twenty

I think the Yamaha A-S300 could give the expensive ones a shake, with out the cost.

Darn keyboard. A-S3000. There, that's better

@austinbob 

The Lyngdorf looks like a nice unit, I'd also throw the Anthem STR Integrated into the mix, room correction plus real bass management, that alone will allow it to outperform almost any integrated without those features if you're adding a subwoofer or two to the mix.  

Investing in a $50K integrated and not doing room treatment is obviously ridiculous.

I have the Pass INT-250 and it is truly exceptional.  Its build quality
is excellent and the sound difference compared to anything I have heard
,including many that you have mentioned , is simply unbelievable.
Trust me, it is better than many high end separate systems and a lot simpler to set up and operate.

Moon 700i

If you guys have so much money to spend on gear what are you doing on AG?
I felt guilty dropping $4500 on a H360. That Dan D'  faceplate  should be on the front of a Cadillac.

Devialet

I was in the market a while ago for an "uber" integrated.
Did not happen for many reasons but the main was the great reviews on the Lyngdorf 2170 which with its room correction has been the best solution to my terrible room yet.
I believe that the upcoming Lyngdorf 3400 is more of the same on Steroids.
I am not upset at all over keeping the extra money in my pocket......

Left left out the Mark Levinson 585.  Easily bests most listed based on my listening. 

Yeah, I've got my eye on the ML 585.  It sounded incredible at AXPONA with the new Revel 228Be speakers.  They do have a new one, the 585.5, which has built in phono stage, but it carries a $4,000 price premium over the 585! 

The Bel Canto Black Integrated has much of the same DNA as the full Black System. It is on the cover of Stereophile April 2018. It is worthy of serious consideration. 

I did audition the ML 585 on TAD Compact Ref 1, did not like it at all.But the ML 585 is obviously an Uber integrated, very nice build quality.

The Audionet Humboldt will be the new reference integrated amp lauching this year for €35K.
Also the new Vitus SIA-030 coming up probably at around €30K.

thielisteI have heard the TAD floor-stander ($30K model) with Pass Labs and Parasound electronics and did not enjoy the "sound" as well. IMO, it is an over-priced speaker, especially, compared to a Thiel. Over on other Audio forums, several guys are using Mark Levinson gear both new and older, in their systems.I look forward in reading more about your auditions.Happy Listening!

Room treatement is cheap with good "cathedral panel", and you will have a 30 days trial, 

The Vitus SIA-025 is sublime. It isn’t being replaced by the SIA-030 as the above post suggests. Vitus has stated that it is one of their best-sellers and will not be replaced. The SIA-030 is an altogether bigger beast.

I'm psyched to see what the Vitus SIA-030 is al about, hope to audition it.What do you guys think about the Aavik U-300 ? is it overpriced for a class D integrated ?

Does Vitus have dealer/retailer representation here in the U.S.A. ?Happy Listening!

@jafant  i would think so.You can send them an e-mail to be sure.

The Aavik U150 sounded great at Axpona this year. It wasn't until Sunday afternoon did they put the U300 in. I would say the U150 is about 90% of the U300. The Dac and Phono stages are options which really keep the price down.

Dan D Agostino  momentum integrated.

Add the LKV Verito 1 to this list.  An amazing value integrated for $2200. Or $2700 with Phono. Direct from the talented Bill Hutchins.  

The Absolare Integrated (with Altius upgrade that takes it to a stratospheric level) is, to date, the most musical integrated I have ever heard. It makes sound live and breathe with a physical presence in your room. Almost scary occasionally. A very original recipe for sound that combines something I have only heard from 4 watt per channel tube mono blocs and something I have only heard from $40K+ of solid state separates to create a new experience. I hope they get more attention in the North American market so I can hear others' responses.

@joshfilm Can you expand on what the Altius upgrade is? Thanks.

I love my Raven Reflection MK2 Integrated tube amp with around 72WPC.  It costs 10K.  It it an absolute showpiece for anyone who comes into my house.  It is made in Texas.  The owner, Dave Thompson has some of the best old tubes that money can buy.  And finally, and most importantly it drives my Sonus Faber Amati Tradition Homage speakers like a symphony.  

I spent a lot of time trying to decide on an integrated amp. First I was going to get the Pass INT 250 & was set on that. Then I was going to get the Gryphon Diablo 300. Liked both well. Then I heard the T+A PA 3000HV and bought the T+A. Absolutely no regrets, phenomenal with my system. The Pass is well built, but the T+A is extremely well built. Highly recommended. 

Close your eyes and go for ypsilon int.you will not regret one is on sale in Sweden demo unit and price is good too

@jasbirnandra  i know Ypsilon very well, it's my favorite brand and i was privileged to demo the preamp and the Aelius II monoblocks last year in my system.Problem with the Phaethon is that it delivers only 180w into 4 Ohm, that's pretty short for impedance that drop down to 2.3 Ohm like my speakers.
Same think with the Absolare Integrated but both of these integrated are top notch and highly recommended for easier speakers.

I dont think you will have power issues what are your speakers and your room size

And you can talk to demitris at ypsilon he is a very helpfull guy 

Line Magnetic 508ia, single ended and powerful.

When I win the lottery , I will look into those brands .

Try a used DK amp. At reasonable cost I have my hooked to the Dynaudio C1 speakers . Only real complaint is the back round hiss noise at quiet music.

@jasbirnandra  my speakers are Thiel CS 3.7s room size 21x15.

Then you dont need an integrated you need pre power  again go for the ypsilon I am using their complete set and they are one of the finest electronics I have heard or the other option is ypsilon int. and change of speaker to some efficient one

Another vote for the Ayre AX-5/20. 

@david_ten The Altius upgrade on the Absolare Integrated involves an upgrade of all internal wiring to Echole's top Limited Edition cabling. It also involves an upgrade of other internals, including the transformer (though the upgraded transformer might now be standard across the range). There is also now an option as well for a new volume pot and volume display (not sure if they are included in the upgrade price, this occurred after my upgrade). I'll reach out to Absolare directly to get exact current details. What I do know is what I heard. :)

Hi. I am sure if you would be matching any of the aforementioned amps to the Thiel speakers pictured. That would be a major consideration in selecting a new amplifier. That said, I would also consider the Hegel H360 Integrated amp which has an onboard DAC that is quite good. The amp is capable of driving the most demanding speakers with ease and the noise floor on the DAC is exceptional. Good luck.

Jmac7,
Based on feedback from experienced listeners I trust the Line Magnetic 508ia is a fabulous sounding amplifier. However I don’t believe that it would be the best choice for the OP’s Thiel speakers given their load characteristics of low impedance in the lower frequencies (High current demand). Actual listening could prove otherwise but on paper not an ideal match (2.4 ohm at 125 Hz.).
Charles

I don't think anyone mentioned Hegel here. The H360 is great but they have the H590 in the pipeline for fall. At 300WPC it should drive just about any speaker without trouble and sound fantastic doing it. I believe it will sell for $12K which is affordable using this list as context.

@joshfilm Thank you! I spent some more time at the Absolare website and have a better feel for the differences in model levels as one steps from Passion to Signature to Altius.

I recently purchased a T+A integrated and it is coming on song, gloriously actually, now that it has 10 days of run time on it.

I am open to other amps at some point further down the road, especially those with vastly different topologies. Charles ( @charles1dad  who has posted here) had recommended I consider an 845 based amp...and I was very impressed with the Mastersound EVO 845, especially its amplifier section. Absolare’s 845 SET monos are ones I would love to consider.

In the meantime, if I have the opportunity, I will make a point to audition / demo their Integrated amp.

Thanks for bringing the brand to my attention.