Integrated that blew you away

I’ma gonna go against the $ = performance crowd here & mention the $1500.00 Creek 4040a..
 A miniscule,50/110 watt(8/4/ ohms),sub 5 pound,Class D,Integrated Amplifier/DAC/Headphone(Phono is optional) that completely embarrassed my $3000.00 SimAudio 240i not only in bass depth/control,but imaging & sound staging as well & stands tall and proud with any speaker from the MIGHTY MOUSE sized ProAc Tablette Anniversaries($2800.00 retail at time of production) to the $7000.00 Harbeth M30.2Xd’s!!!
 TRULY a benchmark at the asking price..If your on a tight budget,do yourself a favor & demo one with the most expensive speakers that the remainder your budget allows...
“The 40th anniversary 4040 A integrated amplifier will suit the most demanding applications. Whether used in a domestic audio or desktop system, the feature-rich 4040 A is simple to use, yet luxurious in operation. Created to provide a totally immersive high-end experience”
https://www.creekaudio.com/products/integrated-amplifiers/4040-a/#:~:text=The%2040th%20anniversary,and%20BT%20antenna.

I’ve had many integrateds: McIntosh, multiple Hegels, Classe, rogue Cronus magnum with the kt120 tubes, and the Auralic Polaris.

If I had more efficient speakers, I’d probably still have the Rogue, at least in my 2nd or 3rd system. The Hegels are very good but I thought their dacs were pretty bad, I have always used an external dac that costs $8000. I use the Auralic Polaris now in 1 of my systems which has a built in dac/streamer, and Roon ready. 
 

I buy speakers quite often and when I bought the larger Ushers, the Hegel h360 didn’t have the power that was needed, so I decided to go seperates from now on. I have a nice beefy amp that can handle everything I throw at it.

if I was to look at an integrated today, I’d look at the big McIntosh

@Lalitk,

Agree completely! Bought the E-5000 and is amazing. Like many on Agon been in this for fifty years and owned every iteration from all tube to all SS as well as a combination.Old man now so wanted less units to play around with. This integrated just plays music 😊

Many great people on this site.

Best, Bob

I love my Jadis DA88S with KT120s but 2 other integrated i would like to own are the Engström Arne and the one i discovered this weekend at the Munich show the Line Magnetic LM-212 Premium.

@blackbag20 

Just picked up a Krell k300i and this integrated is some of the best I heard, at a reasonable price. Using it with a Pair of PS audio FR 5’s. The grip from this amp is iron fist. Even at very low volume very dynamic and smooth.