Integrated that blew you away

Accuphase E-650 - Class A, 30W. The newer version is E-700. In a right setup (like mine, paired with Tannoy’s Canterbury) you’re treated with refined, organic and effortless presentation. Accuphase sound is about graceful precision, where everything feels perfectly in place, nothing overstated and more importantly nothing missing.

For me it was the Audio Research I-50... and it is inexpensive. It is so musically rich. Every time I listen to one, my eyes close and I am whisked away with the music. I wish I had somewhere to put it. My equipment is "better"... more powerful, detailed, etc. But it is just incredibly beautiful. I hear ARC has or is releasing an I-70... I can't wait to hear it. But once again, I don't need another integrated. 

I was very happy with my first Integrated Amp, which was my first "big boy" system when I turned 14 back in the mid-'70's -- a Kenwood KA-9100.  That amp gave me much joy throughout High School and College.  Unfortunately, it was stolen during a home robbery in 1990.  I also had a Nakamichi SR2A, which was a very different creature, but I enjoyed the Nelson Pass touch and still have my complete Nakamichi setup (amp, cassette, and CD player). 

The Integrated I use now in a bedroom system is a Reisong A10 EL34 Tube amp.  Remarkable little beast.  Solidly built, nice components, and it only cost me $380 about 5 years ago.  Reisong makes some amazing gear.

The NAD M33 got an awful lot of love when it came out. PuriFi amp, Dirac Live, BluOS streaming, MM/MC phono. 
 

But the best integrated amps I have heard is from Ayre. 

When I was shopping for an integrated I auditioned Pass int250, Dag Prog int and Gryphon Diablo 300. I decided on the D300, works great with my Magnepan 3.7x.