Integrated that blew you away

The absolute best sounding one was the  Line Magnetic.  We make our own tube products (not integrated units though) and they make a hell of one for the price.  Very impressive in our opinion.  Build quality is excellent.

Hello maxwave, there is a thorough review [Feb '25] by Michael Lavorna of the Soulution 331 at: https://twitteringmachines.com/review-soulution-331-integrated-amplifier/.   He had reviewed the 330 in November 2023 so perhaps his observations could provide some insights into how the 331 has evolved vs. the 330.

Best regards,

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. 

I can add a couple more - Audio Note Mieshu line (original not Tonemaster) and the Audiomat Solfège Reference. Both equally great with the right speakers. Using a Solfège today with a custom Altec Valencia system. Geez, spectacular!

+2 for Anthem STR at $5K

I've had mine for over 7 years no issues at all. 

Sounds awesome with my Totem Forest Signature speakers!

Curiously not seeing Leben or Esoteric mentioned so far.

Cost no object?

• soulution https://twitteringmachines.com/review-soulution-331-integrated-amplifier/
• constellation Argo
• Absolare
• ypsilon
• ch precision
• audionet

My Sim Audio Moon 700i blows me away every time I listen to it. Its capacity to respond (sonic lift)  to upgrades in my front end never ceases to amaze me. It’s a super clean sound and provides a big 3D soundstage and by all reviews is extremely neutral. They’re hard to find used, but are well worth the search. 

Switched my system from seperates to all-in-one Aavik U-588.  Doesn’t miss a beat, sounds amazing and has simplified everything so much.  Love it!!!!

VAC Renaissance 70/70. ASR Emitter II.

And Theliste! A Jadis DA88. Whoaaaa, man! I had a Jadis Defy 7. back in 1991. It is VERY hard to beat a Jadis for sounding "alive."

Lots of good suggestions.  I was looking for an integrated only, no phono, streamer or dac.  It had to have sufficient power and current and was replacing my mono blocks and preamp and couldn't be too heavy.  I stumbled on the Alluxity brand from Denmark.  200/400/800 watts class A/B.  Not very popular but I don't care because it sounds wonderful even at low listening levels.  (Esoteric K-01XD se SACD player and Vienna Accoutics Liszt speakers with a combination of Zavino and Furutech cables).

Harman Kardon A300!

unbelievable! Was using a Marantz model 8 as my amp. Tried a couple different preamps and multiple different speakers and was never really wowed by it. Got an a-300 on eBay a few weeks ago. Didn’t bother to bring it up on a variac.. blows my 8b out of the water. I’m surprised these aren’t more popular.

Circle Labs A200 hybrid that has wonderful tone and purity. Very special Int amp that is just supremely musical. Also a real gem of an integrated made by the very talented John Tucker of Exemplar Audio that very few people know about. His hybrid integrated amp is a true giant killer. Unique circuits he developed that make this $5500 Int amp sound better than separates costing 4X more. John continues to innovate this piece with new learnings and ideas.  I really like John’s intentional curiosity, design talent and unrelenting passion for music and audio. 
 

Another worth checking out is the Aesthetix Mimas.

The Krell K300i (latest XD version) was a fav of mine. Both sonically and for the rock solid feature set for a 2-channel setup. The optional DAC is not shabby but can be easily improved upon with an external DAC.

Gryphon 333.

For me, the integrated i like most is the Gryphon diablo 333

I am a Pass guy with their Power amps, and heard the Int 60, but the 333 is a class of its own 

+1 on the Audio Circle a200. Not well known here in the U.S. but sounds fantastic!

I have also owned the Exemplar Audio Exception integrated. Beautiful sounding unit as well.  

Has anyone heard the Moonriver Audio 404 Reference? Been lusting after that one for some time. But that's purely based on looks. So shallow of me.

@hoytis feedback has been meh

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/any-moonriver-404-users-out-there

overpriced and a gamble I guess

@hoytis  Yes it was very underwhelming. 

@gano thanks for the info. Shame, as I find it aesthetically pleasing.

I feel the same way, I love the looks @hoytis 

good sounding integrated shares too much thermal and noise stress from PA (power amp) to Pre., through shared power delivery design and shared enclosure. thermal has huge impact on preamp lifetime/performance.. that’s why I prefer to “integrate” separates by myself. also, separates allow to change only part of system you’re looking to improve, one step at the time. 

I run a Pass Labs Int-25 into Dynaudio Heritage Specials using two REL T7x subs. Blows me away everyday.
 

Front end: Technics SL1200G turntable, Dynavector 20X2A-L cartridge, Sutherland 20/20 Mk II with LPS phono preamp (set at 58 db, 475 ohm), Eversolo DMP A8 DAC/streamer, Oppo universal transport. My interconnects are from Cardas and Signal. Speaker cables are from Verastarr. Power conditioning is through an Audience AR6. Power cables from Cardas, Signal, and Audience.

I haven’t listened to an integrated amp in decades. But that’s only because the few audiophile type of friends I have don’t have one. I’m a McIntosh owner since the late 70’s. My first amp was a MA6100 integrated. Man I loved that thing. Had it for years until I upgraded to the MA6200 integrated. Man I loved that one even more!   I had that one for quite a few years until I upgraded to separates. My point with that story is that I feel you can’t go wrong with a Mac. New or vintage or in between. Good luck with your search and happy listening!!  

Accuphase makes a range of class A and class A/B integrated amplifiers that are highly regarded.

 

For me, the integrated i like most is the Gryphon diablo 333

I am a Pass guy with their Power amps, and heard the Int 60, but the 333 is a class of its own 
 

@joeycastillo  Yes it’s a fantastic integrated. For those who are not willing to pay this kind of money the Diablo 300 is still a great integrated. Almost as good as the 333 for far less money if you can get a demo/used. I heard them side by side at my dealer.

I have the T+A PA 3100 HV, its tone, layering, and control are phenomenal in my system. It replaced a Hegel H590, which is hard to beat at the preowned price of less than $5K.  

I had been enjoying my Primaluna EVO 300 for a few years, compared it to many other options (including some significantly more expensive ones) and in my system the Primaluna just sounded right. 

Recently I upgraded to a Unison Research Unico 150 and I'm quite happy with it. Again, not the most expensive piece in the world, but it fits my preferences perfectly. 

Separates can be fun as well, I have had good and bad results there so it's no guarantee of an improvement over integrated designs.

Meanwhile the Dyslexics of the forum are composing replies to the thread titled:

Ingratitude that blew you away

Kinki Studio EX-M1+. 
 

it is now the standard with which a judge other audio gear. 

@mindhead1 That EX-M1+ does look nice. I wasn't able to get my hands on one to demo, but it looks impressive for sure and has a great reputation so far.