Integrated amp for Avalon Indra


Hi,
I have Avalon Indra and I wonder which integrated amp would be the best match. Given that I don't listen to music very loud, would Pass INT-30A do a good job? I like Pass' transparency, but in case Pass INT-30A won't do, what other integrated amp will do? What about Coda CSIB or Jeff Rowland Continuum s2? Finally, as source I have Cary 306 SACD prof.
cheers and thank you for any good advice
mikefi

Showing 4 responses by melbguy1

I've heard the Indras a few times. The best synergy I found was with a Dartzeel CTH-8550. I also think a Boulder 865 would work well with a tubed cd player such as Ayon. I think Rowland would be a bit thin sounding and bright with these speakers.
Glai, I used to own a Boulder 1060 paired with Marten Coltrane speakers which also use Accuton drivers. I didn't find the Boulder lacking in micro dynamics or detail. I'd characterize the Boulder as a fast, powerful, resolving, neutral and natural sounding amp. Paired with my Coltranes, there was plenty of electrostatic-like speed and control. Paired with my modded Ayon CD-5s as linestage, I was really happy with that combo, and the Indras houldn't be much different.

I would pick Aesthetix over Luxman, but agree with the tick for Modwright. The KWA-150SE is a peach.
@Glai, we all have different ears and preferences. These days I prefer the sound of Vitus Signature Series over Boulder, but I enjoyed my time with the 1060.
01-06-15: Glai
How would you compare the sound of the Vitus amps to the Boulder 1060s?
That's a good question. I was running a Boulder 1060 with my modded Ayon CD-5s as linestage. The Boulder sounded powerful with excellent control, neutral, very quiet and resolving without sound analytical. The 1060 sounds natural to my ears. The Vitus has a more tube-like sound in that it sounds warm, mellifluous, smooth and harmonically rich. In that way, it sounds reminiscent of a good 300b amp, though the amp remains essentially neutral. Music sounds remarkably pure and flows & sounds analogue-like in the way music sounds vivid, dynamic and engaging, yet velvety and smooth if that makes sense. The headline power figures are deceiving as the Vitus has plenty of power and control, though of course not quite as much as the Boulder. The Boulder is a great amp, especially with tubes upstream and has excellent build quality. The Boulder's unfussed casework, superb engineering, neutrality & control are very attractive qualities. I'd say my head would vote for the Boulder, but my heart voted for the Vitus.