Integrated Amp Choices


From numerous visits to audio stores in the BIG city 2 hours south of my place, and after listening to a couple of dozen speakers (up to $18,000) both passive and active. Our simple ears have narrowed it down to these 2 speakers (so far):
KEF R11s - https://us.kef.com/r11.html and Triangle AustraleEZs - https://www.trianglehifi.com/en/produit/hifi-floor-standing-speaker-ez-australe/ These 2 sound the best to both my wife, offer good value and both very close to each other in price.

Here are a few integrated amps (in around the $5K range) that I am considering and I was hoping the community can give their votes to which would compliment the speakers of choice (so far) the best?

https://simaudio.com/en/product/340i-x-integrated-amplifier/

https://www.anthemav.com/products-current/model=str-integrated-amplifier/page=overview

http://www.luxman.com/product/detail.php?id=2

https://www.sugdenaudio.com/anv-50-integrated-amplifier

https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/integrated-amplifiers/MA5300

On Sale Occasionally:

https://bryston.com/amplifiers/b1353/

https://www.marklevinson.com/products/integrated-amplifiers/MARK+LEVINSON+NO+5802.html?dwvar_MARK%20LEVINSON%20NO%205802_color=Black%20%2F%20Silver-US-Current&cgid=integrated-amplifiers

Onboard DAC is a big consideration too, so hoping for your further comments on DAC sections as well.

Prefer new or demo over used.

Thanks,
High-amp





high-amp

Showing 4 responses by pesky_wabbit

Into high efficiency speakers the Leben CS600 would be very, very hard to beat.
I also own an ARC VSi60 as well ass the Leben. Both highly recommended, but very different amps. The ARC is noticeably more powerful, and quite a beast in terms of grunt for its rated output. Typical ARC sound - incredibly accurate, very clear and open, almost solid state, but with a bit of added tube ‘bloom‘. Great all round performer.

The Leben compensates for its lower power with a greater degree of finesse, and sheer musicality (probably the best commercial amp I have heard in that respect). Can still rock it out with efficient speakers. Hope this helps.

If I could sum up the difference between the Hegel and the Leben it would be otherworldly drive, control and poise vs otherworldly finesse and sheer musicality. 250W of sheer adrenaline vs 30W of nectar. The differences couldn’t be clearer. You have to like one or the other (or both). The choice is obviously very speaker dependent - and it‘s not just about outright efficiency.


One thing that might surprise you: at moderate listening levels the Leben is probably the more rhythmically adroit. It‘s not a soft, slow and cuddly amp at all. It sparkles with life and musical drive.

The CS600 has been replaced by the CS600X due to.the dwindling supply of the pre-splitter tubes employed. Otherwise identical. Some say different, some say outright better.