Downsizing and looking for an integrated amp of 100 or more watts/ channel that will satisfy a tube lover. Not many tube integrated amps fit that power requirement, but open to tube or solid state. Considering Krell K300i, CODA CSiB, Boulder 866 (doubt that it is "tube-like" enough), and Gryphon Diablo 300 (more expensive than I’d like). Can use separate phono and/or DAC. Thoughts on these or others?
the CODA is disqualified if you like amplifiers with high damping factors. That is important for cone control and linear throw of drivers to lead to no change in frequency response of speaker at various impedance loads
unless you don't index for damping factor @hedwigstheme
High damping factor - >1000 (which is class leading even though it has reasonable cost)
Power delivery into 2, 4 and 8 ohm loads is also class leading (375W into 8Ω, 750W into 4Ω, and 1200W into 2Ω per monoblock) and it sounds incredible. Doesn't have tube harmonics but it allows music to shine through without getting in the way of the emotion of the music
and the best thing, saves you a lot of money whilst being built like tanks (and the two monoblocks will actually be still more compact in terms of mass than any of the above whilst delivering more power effectively with TOTL efficiency
you can get a Tube Preamp just to output to it if that is something you fancy. I can recommend one too
I own a Krell k 300 and it shocking sounds like tubes. My Pass 250, and Hegel 390.
i have 3 other intergrated, and the Krell was the last one I’ve purchased. It is shockingly good. So,enow the Krell is warm but has very good detail, retrival. Of course there is the legendary Krell bass.They say class D has a tube sound, but I have no experience. Have you thought of hybrids? I have a McIntosh 352, but I would advise to listen before making that purchase.its a 200watt hybrid.
I had both the CSIB and the Boulder 866 at the same time. Both excellent but different amps. Coda is clear, fast and detailed with great articulation. Boulder 866 is slightly more refined but just as transparent. The 866 is just a tad bit warmer and more laid back but at the same time very dynamic. It’s considerably more expensive than the Coda too. Advantages of Coda over Boulder - Coda has both single ended and XLR inputs plus subwoofer out. Boukder is XLR only and no sub out. Both are high quality and nicely built. Boulder is a more sophisticated looking piece of electronics equipment than the coda and features a screen and an app you can use to control the amp. You can also use a usb remote control with it.
That being said, I highly recommend both and in my opinion you can’t go wrong with either.
I know you said 100wpc. But I would seriously look at the Audio Research I/70. I have heard the I/50 power with a number of speakers and it is simply beautiful sounding and way more powerful than you would think.. The I/70 is going to be released this month and has more power and autobiasing and is said to sound incredibly musical like the I/50. I use my Ref 160 in triode mode… so 70wpc and can play at ungodly volumes without compression or loss of dynamics.
I searched for the "perfect" integrated amp for three years and tried many, including some of those mentioned in this thread. The Synthesis A100 was by far my favorite and it also has an excellent DAC. I just changed speakers and may be switching to its little brother, the less powerful A40, which appears to be a better match for my new speakers since they do not require anywhere near that level of power. But the A100 fits your description perfectly.
This Belles would fit the bill. I’ve owned the Belles Aria and I doubt that you would go wrong. It is an outstanding solid state integrated that has a tube like sound!
The Burmester 032 or the new 232 integrated amp combines tube like liquidity, dimensionality, sweet (non fatiguing/no edginess) high frequencies, midrange bloom, and image density with the transient speed, micro/macro-dynamics, bass power, clarity and resolution of solid state. The new 232 offers a DAC card option. A must to add to your audition list. I am a ex-Krell big separates lover but once I auditioned Burmester I divorced my Krells for a younger, more athletic, and exotic Burmester 032, never looking at another since.
Please consider a Roger’s High Fedelity KWM 88 If you call you can get the 88 for less as ebay takes 13 %. He’ll make it right for you. Hint. I have one and had it modified to use the KT-170 tubes. Hint hint.
About three years ago, I went shopping for a new high-end integrated amp to drive my Revel Salon 2 speakers. I had the opportunity to audition many of the tube and solid state integrated amps mention here. Ultimately, I opted for the Hegel H590 integrated amp, as it was the one that fit my needs the most as far as sound quality and cost to performance was concerned. All the integrated amp mentioned are great. You should also add the Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 800.2 to your list of consideration. Happy listening.
Octave nice but v70 just 70 watts into 4 ohms. v80se ($13.5k) closer at 120 into 4. Audio Hungary x2000 great amp at less than $7k! Trafomatic Eon about same price as Octave.
I’m assuming you don’t want tubes based on your OP but how about a hybrid amp? I noticed in the classifieds that member Grannyring is selling a Circle Labs hybrid integrated those sound excellent.
The 70watts from the Octave v70 are more than enough for my room which is 24x30. At 50% its well over 90db from where i sit which is about 14' back. My speakers are 92db sensitive with powered woofers however. It drives my speakers better then my 225wpc anthem amp. It's a beast.
I really like my Advance Paris A-10 classic. It has a high bias switch that emulates class A up to about 10 watts per channel. Combined with my Denafrips Ares 15th, it comes really close to a vinyl sound.
I have experience with Rogue Cronus Magnum and PrimaLuna EVO 400. Both are very good tube integrated amps out of the box. Put in NOS preamp tubes and they up 3-4 levels in all round performance.
What qualities about a tube amp are most important to you?
tonality? many tube amplifiers sound neutral, many sound midrange forward, many sound rolled off at the high end, many emphasize midbass.
sound stage? most tube amplifiers project a large, spacious, atmospheric multi dimensional sound stage, something I have never heard in an all solid state amplifier to the extent a tube amp can project.
refinement and clarity? you can achieve or not achieve this with tube or solid state designs.
dynamics? same as above, tube or solid state amplifiers will deliver or not deliver depending on amp selected.
We all have different preferences @hedwigsthemeand how we feel depends on our preferences. Some like natural timbre and super detailed analytical presentation, some like natural timbre and warmer presentation that doesn’t emphasize or etch out the details.
I feel Pass Labs gear and Boulder 866 integrated fall into the latter category while Coda CSIB walks a fine line between warm and very detailed/etched out. Pass and Boulder 866 will be closer to tube sound. All 3 have natural timbre.
I'll add the Rogue Audio Cronus Dark to you list to consider. Fully American made in Pennsylvania. Great support, and, most importantly, amazing sound for the money. Easily outperforms amps at double or triple the cost. I have eh Magnum II and plan to upgrade to the dark soon. It gives you 100 tube powered watts.
Luxman SQ-N150, much better buy than anything Rogue, probably won’t break either. Then there’s the Naim Nait 5Si which will give you anything a tube amp will and plenty of grunt too!
Another vote for the Dynthesis Titan A100. I had the A40 in my system for a long while and it had more than enough power to drive my audio note speakers. As stated above, the DAC is an exceptional deck as well.
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