2. amps-preamps
  3. 163235-156002

Integrated Amp Question for a Newbie to the Forum

Hello Audiogon Community!


First time posting to this forum. I’m somewhat of a novice when it comes to hifi audio gear. I’m looking to replace a busted McIntosh MX110 preamp and an outgoing MC225 amp and have been looking to consolidate and upgrade to an integrated amp. My current setup is:


• Jolida JD9 II phono preamp

• Pro-ject 2Xperience Classic Turntable 

• Monitor Audio Silver RX6 Floor speakers 

• CD player to buy soon

• Streaming player to buy soon


For the integrated amplifier, I’ve heard a lot of good things about -

Luxman L-509X and L-590AXII

Hegel H390 and H590

Mark Levinson 5805

McIntosh 7200

We play everything from rock to jazz to R&B, hip hop and everything in between. I’m looking to keep the integrated amp in the sub 10k range and will eventually add the streaming player (I hear good things about the Lumin T2 and the Lynn Selekt) and the CD player. 


Do you all have any recos on what you think would sound good with the setup I have? We like a dynamic and warm sound. Appreciate any advice!


Cheers


fourminutesong

Showing 2 responses by yyzsantabarbara

yyzsantabarbara
5,037 posts
 
I have heard the following that are similar to the OP's choices.

Luxman L-509X

Hegel H360 (similar to the 390)

Mark Levinson 585 and 5805

I recently bought a used CODA CSiB. This unit was from 2018 and does not have the latest CSiB amp internals from the CODA #8 nor does it have the latest preamp upgrade internals ($150 upgrade). The CODA is an amazing preamp, for the $3400 price I paid is a bargain. The ML 585 is another integrated that I thought was great. I think the CODA is quieter though and just as powerful.  The CSiB comes in 3 versions


V1 - 150 watts | 300 @  8 and 4 Ohm with first 18 in Class A

V2 - 250 watts | 500 @ 8 and 4 Ohm with first 12 in Class A

V3 - 400 watts | 800 @ 8 and 4 Ohm with first 8 in Class A 


I have Version 1 and tried it out with my 2 Ohm-ish Thiel CS3.7. It sounded great. I am currently using the CSiB as a RAAL SR1a headphone amp.


Compared to the others I have heard the CODA is like the ML 585 which I thought was the best integrated I had heard. I think the CODA is similar to the ML, maybe better for my preferences since it seems quieter.

yyzsantabarbara
5,037 posts
 
@fourmiutesong For streaming I am upgrading this week from a Sonore microRendu for my ROON playback to the Sonore opticalRendu. I will actually be using both rendu's because I have 2 DACs. I have the opticalRendu already in the house but the Sonore Linear Power Supply and DC5 cable are being built. So likely in about 10 days before I turn on the opticalRendu.

I also bought 2 SPF fibre optical cages from Sonore and also 1 length of fibre optical cable. This is not Toslink cable I am talking about. The beauty of what I am doing is that the analog noise in the network from many sources cannot traverse the fibre optical cable. So in my opinion it does not matter what music server I use. I use a cheap DELL server that cost me about $600 to run ROON Core.

The Rendu's are ROON READY and all I need to do is hookup the fibre cable from the network switch to the opticalRendu and then from there take a USB cable to the DAC. For the microRendu I would use a RJ45 Ethernet cable from the same switch and then a USB cable to the other DAC.

The microRendu is using a switched more power supply and is supposed to be a bad way to do this. I will compare in 10 days the 2 rendu's and decide if I want to upgrade the microRendu also with a linear power supply or replace it with another opticalRendu.

I bought the following gorgeous network switch to make this possible. It has 2 fibre optical cages along with a few RJ45 slots, cost was $199.

https://www.ui.com/unifi-switching/unifi-switch-8-150w/

Send me a PM if you want to discuss this approach further. I can point you to some links.
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