Integrated that blew you away


Like most I run separates but am looking to downsize but also upgrade. So for the first time since I decided I wanted as close to a world class system as I could afford, I’m looking at integrated amps.

 

So if you’re a separates guy/gal but heard an integrated that really struck you. Please share. I want to hear all the steamy details. The speakers, the source, the pursed lips and steamy glances.

gochurchgo

Showing 1 response by elliottbnewcombjr

https://6moons.com/audioreviews/cayin/a88t.html

I truly love the sound of the 6snl and 6sl7 tubes, (all prior owned units used 12’s), and I changed and prefer KT88’s to the 6550 it came with

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make some effort to tell us more:

budget

tubes or SS?

consolidating phono setup, i.e. want option of MM Phono built-in?

features: mode/mono/balance/tape loop ....

rca or xlr options?

how much power ______?

still using efficient Klipsch Speakers? those allow a not too big tube integrated

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I love my Cayin A88T Tube Integrated, but I need features of other equipment, and the MK1 version has been updated to external bias which I would much prefer (but they dropped the 16 ohm taps).

I wanted tubes, modern remote volume, thus newer integrated. Had to sound as good as my Fisher 80AZ Mono tube amps, after research I tried and kept it.

replaced these

https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/650129374-fisher-80-az-tube-power-amp/images/5220361/

 

It has no Mode switch, no balance switch, and bias is difficult internal adjusters, but I needed that MK1 version to get 16 ohm taps for my speakers with 16 ohm drivers/level controls from 1958.

 

In the end, I added a McIntosh tube tuner preamp tor it’s wonderful features and mode switch, and run that to a Chase RLC-1 remote line controller to get remote balance, a feature I really love and encourage.

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I never saw or heard one, I noticed, the Cyrus i7XR mentioned above by oddiofyl has the rare remote balance feature in a compact SS Integrated with MM Phono. there is it’s bigger brother i9XR, but I think the 7 is enough for your Klipsch speakers.