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
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My main system: C-J: ART 88, ART Phono, 27A

My summer home system: Marantz PM10 and matching SA10

I did compare them together before sending the Marantz stuff to it's new home.  The Marantz PM10 has a Class D amp, separate power supplies for each channel and also another separate one for the preamp section.  The C-J 27 A is Class A.  The C-J has better micro detail, but the difference is subtle.  Both offer superior liquidity, sound stage depth, and allow hours of listening without fatigue.  The Marantz has much more power and handles difficult impedance loads with ease.  It is a great match for B&W 802D diamonds, which is why it was my choice.  There is clear superiority for both the C-J 88 Line Stage and Phonostage.  Greater resolution of detail, more life like imaging, just more magic.

For solid state, Luxman 590axii (and the 595 SE)

 

for tubes, and my absolute favorite, MadterSound Compact 845. It’s an absolute champion of portraying “live” putting you right in the middle of the performance. Eerie real!!!!

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. 

 

 

I've had a couple. The first was one you probably never heard of: the Dussun V8i. Great amp...Chinese made...I think pretty much a Mark Levinson.

And now my current one: Anthem STR. It does everything and does it all VERY well.