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Best of the best Integrated amps in 2018

I'm starting this new thread to talk about the Uber integrated amps available today on the market.Here i'm talking about integrated amps that can easily equal in performance $30K worth of separates and above.A list of them that i can think of :

D'Agostino Momentum integrated, Jeff Rowland Daemon, Vitus MP-I201, Vitus RI-101, Bel Canto Black, Pass INT-250, Gryphon Diablo 300, T+A PA 3100 HV, McIntosh MA9000, Ypsilon Phaeton, Soulution 530, CH Precision Integrated, Audionet Watt, Audionet Stern-Heisenberg Integrated (to be released), Esoteric P-03A, Dartzeel CTH-8550, Boulder 865, Audio Research GSI 75 and others.
Please share your experience if you have auditioned or own some of these amazing machines.
128x128thieliste

Showing 3 responses by joshfilm

joshfilm
70 posts
 
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
70 posts
 
@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. :)
joshfilm
70 posts
 
@david_ten Congrats on the new T+A purchase. Enjoy. I will hopefully be hearing the 845 SET monos and the new hybrid monos (just announced at Munich) later this summer.  Definite contenders for future upgrade. That said, the Integrated's sound is pretty much end game for me. I wasn't left wanting for anything more.  That was a first for me. 
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