High End Intergraded comparisons, Marantz, McIntosh, Levinson, Luxman....

The Hegel H590 surpasses the H390 in the areas questioned, namely offering more leads ng edge transients and dynamic wow including the deep bass. 

If you are looking for the ultimate integrated cost will go up but sound quality will stun you. I tried more than 20 and landed on 

- Ypsilon Phaeton (tube preamp)

- Vinnie Rossi L2iSE with Tak300B tubes

- Enleum amp23r (for speakers >90db)

There are plenty of good reviews on each one of them.  Try listening to them in your setup, once you settle on one the quest is over! 

When I was shopping for an integrated amplifier I was able to bring home to test the McIntosh MA7900 and the Mark Levinson 5805 and 585.

Doing A/B comparisons between the McIntosh and the Mark Levinson I came to the conclusion the McIntosh revealed significantly less musical detailed; it was as if the high frequencies were muffled. On the other hand, both Mark Levinson amps had an amazing ability to reveal every detail. They sounded a lot more transparent and revealing.

At the end of the day, I was able to get a good deal on a Mark Levinson 585, which has more power and a bit better specs than the 5805, and I have never regretted my decision.

Of the ones you have listed the only competition in my mind is from Luxman and Hegel, and I would add Accuphase to the list.  If you replaced my Luxman 509x with either that PM 10 or an H390 I’m sure I would be just as happy. I do like that Luxman is no frills (no DAC) and you can just let the integrated be the heart of your system for the long term. Honestly if you like what you’re getting from that Marantz I would grab it and then try to hear all of the other stuff at the next big audio show near you (or travel to one if needed) in the next few years. JMHO.

I have heard a Bryston but not compared it to other amps. I did like it and think you should listen to it. Spec was also good but I only heard it for a very short time.

Aavik is not mentioned yet, I think.  The U-150 might be a good choice and can be had with phono but costs a bit more than the Marantz. I heard some Aavik with  Borresen speakers at a show and they sounded great but the full system was very expensive. 

Definitely the Enleum 23R which is similar to the Bakoon13R which it replaces, is worth considering.

There are other good options that are on my shortlist to try including Spec Corp and Soul Note.

I have compared three great integrated amps; Accuphase E800, Boulder 866 and Pass Labs int250. The Pass sounded best to me.

Two more I would add: Gryphon Diablo 300 and D’Agostino Progression int.

The Marantz SA10(CD player)/PM10 was the first true hifi system I ever owned. I use it with BW 802D (bi-wired, which for this combination makes quite the difference).
1) The sound strikes a perfect balance between "tubes" and "solid state" having a sweet midrange, extended but non-fatiguing highs, and a powerful deep and fast bass. That makes it shine in all genres of music I’ve thrown at it as well as all types of quality of recording.

2) The soundstage is simply amazing. Deep, and wide (extending well beyond the speakers), with significant height.

3) The PM10 is a beast having being measured in the real World at 600Watts at either 4 or 8 ohms, so it will have no issues with most speakers it will be realistically paired with (it really makes my 802D’s sing!).

But being my first experience with true hifi I thought, "I’m sure there is something better out there". So while I kept (and still have) the SA10/PM10 I plunged into experimenting with other brands.
1) Amplifier: Bryston 4b3 bi-amping the highs of the 802’s with a Bryston 14B3 for the low frequencies with either a Rogue RP7 (stock tubes, Mullards, Telefunkens) and later an RP9. This combo used my SA10 for source and BW for speakers.
2) An All McIntosh system: separates, CD player, speakers. Don’t ask me about the model because I do not remember but either their best or second best line (I listened in a showroom).
Conclusion: I never found something "better". Not even in showrooms. I think once you reach the level of hifi quality the SA10/PM10 give you there is only "different". If you like the sound of the PM 10 enjoy it and save yourself the time and money. If, on the other hand, you want something different (i.e. more extreme) in the warm/bright spectrum then further searching is justified. It was an expensive lesson learned for me. If there is something better for me out there it’s probably tens of times more expensive than this combo.

Anyone looking to sell a Marantz PM11S3?

Followed this thread. I own an Aesthetix Mimas with the phono card. The amp overall is great and the phono section is excellent. Another consideration.