For me it's the Norma IPA-140. Consistent high performer, and a steal if you can find them used. Simaudio Moon options have also regularly impressed me. I haven't heard Luxman in a long time, but I'm highly interested in hearing the 509z.
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.
138 responses Add your response
I ran separates for the last 20 years, mostly swapping out preamps and avrs and for the past several years had Bel Canto PRE5 with ref500 monoblocks. Fed by a Cambridge 851n. My plan was to go single box. Auditioned the BC E1X (great, outside my budget) and the Atoll SDA 200. Fell in love with Atoll sound but went with the IN 300 EVO. Kept my 851n for now. Love this integrated—really opened up after 3-400 hours. The 400 is supposed to be even better. |
If you are looking for an integrated that will blow your mind, check out the GATO 150 and you will be very pleased. 40 years in the biz, the company is now gone direct to consumer out of Copenhagen and you can get these circa $8,000 integrated amplifiers for around 5K today. I bought mine from George Merrill in Tennessee, no longer in Nashville but now in the Memphis area. Guys, trust me on this one. This is the absolute best integrated amplifier I have ever heard, and I have heard many and have owned many in continue to own far more than I need.
Aesthetically, it's a wonderful wonderful world indeed with the entire g a t o line |
@mbmi Can you please tell me a piece of gear that Huff reviewed that he didnt go Gaga on? (only to ditch a month or 2 later) The added incentive to purchasing one of these treasures from him is that he sends you one of his ghosts free of charge in the same box. |
I purchased it from a local dealer. It's a very clear sounding amp, I guess you could call it neutral and never harsh in the top end. I enjoy it with all sorts of music plus it looks interesting and has good power to drive less efficient speakers with ease. That's what I wanted in an integrated, something versatile and this does the trick. |
I just auditioned 3 integrated amplifiers. the Mcintosh MA12000, Vitus Audio RI-101 MkII, and the Solution 331. With the Von Schweikert Endeavor RE, Magico A5, and Magico S5 MkII over a 2 month period. I chose the Vitus Audio RI-101 MKII. Could have been happy with any of the 3. The solution 331 was out of my price range, and it sounded incredible, but pricey, and the MA1200 also was very detailed and great soundstage. However for the price I ultimately chose the Vitus Audio RI-101 MKII and the Magico S5 MkII since I got my new system 2 weeks ago. |
REGA OSIRIS It impressed me enough to crack the piggy bank and buy it .. https://everydayaudiophile.com/2019/12/23/rega-osiris-a-dual-mono-champ/ |
@gochurchgo I have a full warranty accuphase e800, complete, demo from my shop if interested, its very nice piece |
If you want to keep the quality of endgame separates and have a single box with everything including a streamer, DAC, CD transport and optional phono, look into the T+A R 2500 R. It is $18,800, and the optional phono is ~$900. it punches almost at the level of the T+A HV separates costing multitudes more. It basically has the equivalent of the acclaimed $7,620 T+A DAC 200. Its integrated nature allows it to be voiced exceptionally well. I’ve had one in possession for a year and used it in my room at AXPONA to power Vivid Audio Kaya 90 speakers. I also used a Pure Fidelity Harmony turntable with a Tri-Planar U2 SE tonearm, and the internal phono stage was no slouch to handle the superb table. I had no regrets using this unit to demonstrate how a system totaling ~$100K could beat out many of the systems in nearby rooms costing near $1MM or even more. One of the best things about the unit is that it weighs 35lbs all in. There are now a number of favorable reviews on this unit. Of course, in full disclosure, I am an authorized T+A dealer, but I’ve personally owned T+A electronics for years before becoming a dealer by trade. |
It look wonderful and i like the appearence... With which other amplifier had you compared it before ?
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I really enjoy my Roger’s High Fidelity EHF 200 Mark II integrated. It’s very powerful at 100+ watts / channel in full class A operation so it dies put out plenty of heat. Sounds excellent w/ great bass & a big, rich sound w/ lots of air & space in between different instruments & vocals. It’s built to a very high standard w/ premium parts & has a full lifetime warranty! It’s pricey but they often have used ones for about 1/2 price still w/ their warranty. |
You are a bit rude boy for a newcomer ? Are you always like that in a new forum after 13 posts ?
My goal was not to derail the thread but to make people more detailed in their best integrated discovery account.... There is always for each of us a specific history... There is always in our experience a ratio S.Q./ price at play... The best integrated someone has heard is not necessarily the priciest... Also hearing a piece of gear is done in a specific room with specific speakers...
This is why i asked to precise these details. There no best integrated in the absolute generally save few 500,000 bucks pieces...
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I once owned the Anthem STR and thought it was excellent. At around 5k, a real value. Plenty of power, competent DAC, competent phono stage and built to last. Plus, room correction that actually works. Obviously, some of the suggestions are much more expensive, and you usually get what you pay for, at least I think that's true. For the money, the Anthem is outstanding and represents plus value. Its a solid performer, natural sound, plenty of detail, does everything well. |
Luxman L-509Z, their latest flagship integrated which I decided to pull the trigger on last fall. Neutral sounding with lots of detail and a very slight amount of warmth. I found the L-509Z to be a huge improvement over the older McIntosh integrated it replaced, while also pairing nicely with my Dynaudio Confidence 20s. |
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Vinnie Rossi see here!Mike |
Have the solution 745 sacd player hooked up to the dan dagostino progression integrated.dead silent with pangea 9 power cables and furman 20 i to protect from surge.so far so good.magico q7 on some hagel h30 a on the pre out progression.the progression running kharma grands rotated in focal utopia and the tekton ulf all beryllium.hooked up the krell lat 1 to fpb 700 krell just recapped that comes out the progression pre amp outputs.. I think the hunt is over.famous last words from a audiophile.enjoy the music. I buy all used it goes farther. |
The value leader in amps is the Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II or III but they have to have the KT120 tubes and a couple NOS 12AX7/ AU7 tubes. It blew me away many times and sounds better than most amps priced significantly higher. Pair it with some dynamic refined speakers 90 db or higher and enjoy the clear, refined, highly atmospheric multi dimensional sound stage. A real sonic workhorse. |
There were two... the Musical Fidelity A1 with a set of JBL 4312s - that was my 1st great amp after coming from a pretty solid Yamaha CA-810 and then about 12 or so years ago I heard a Simaudio Moon i-7 at the headmaster's house where my son was going to school. It blew me away with his ProAc 2.5s. That particular setup was so dialed in that at the time, I'd never heard anything sound great; it humbled my modest setup and was inspiring. Just my experience |
@noodlyarm Love the Krell K300i, just can't recommend it given the current status (or non-status, really) of the company. Having been burnt by a disappearing manufacturer once, I have no intent of repeating the experience, or recommending someone invest significant money and put themselves in the position of having to walk away from it. |
@maverick2108 thanks that’s great info @audiotroy what are the pros and cons between the CODA and the Krell? |
It’s very neutral to slightly warm sounding amp with lots of detail and resolution. Mids are fantastic with great stereo imaging. The A2 has been the best I have heard in terms of PRAT. You listen and forget about critical listening. Engagement is its forte. I have owned the luxman l595se previously and though sounded great never sounded right to me in comparison. The A3 is awhile another beast. Level of detail and soundstage is amazing. |
we are integrated specialists we sell rega, nad,naim, krell ,synthesis, atoll,coda unison research esoteric and a few others, selecting a great integrated comes down to sound quality, features wattage solid state vs tubes or hybrids there are a few really great integrated amplifiers: the coda csib has bettered nearly every integrated we have tested one really cool setup is the naim NSC 222 streaming preamp dac which can be stacked with the matching Maim nap 250dr power amplifier so you can have essentially an Integrated amplifier which is really separates Dave and Troy Audio Intellect NJ
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