2. amps-preamps
  3. 1136848549

Is There any Truly "High End" Integrated Amp?


I'm a reasonably well experienced audio nut and have tried a number of "good" integrated amps. I wonder, though, if there are integrated amps that are good enough for the "best", most revealing speakers. (Think Avalon Eidolon, Verity Parsifal, various JM Lab Utopias, and a variety of other fine speakers that do not have mammoth power requirements.)

People talk about the Levinson, the Musical Fidelity KW-500 and the lesser MF amps, the BAT integrated, The Rowland Concerto, etc. etc. etc.

I would like to hear from people who have actually tried the top tier of integrated amps and would be very interested in learning of their findings.

Don't need to be the most expensive. Could be the YBA Passion, Classe, MacIntosh 6900, Krell 400i, or any of a number of integrated amps that are supposed to sound good.

Hope to hear some good feedback.

Thanks very much.
jprice

Showing 2 responses by deadlyvj

deadlyvj
66 posts
 
I'm lurking around for a true high end integrated, ended up narrowing my search to the following:

Burmester 032
http://www.burmester.de/en/produkte/index.php?product=1,2,10

Vac Alpha
http://www.vac-amps.com/homepage.htm

Demidorff Diamond series
http://www.goldenote.it//product.php/idp=36/id=2

While there was a recent review of the 032, there is little info regarding the other 2. Anyone with additional experience?
deadlyvj
66 posts
 
Hello Flg2001,
I tried to reach Gyphon, they do not sell in the US and were quite abrupt about it.

Regarding Rowland, I believe its classD, which (other manufacturers) I've tried and am looking for a different approach to amplify music.

Jadis: I had done some research with great interest, but was little unsure about its reliability as mentioned by a couple of owners here and elsewhere.

I should look back into Boulder, it got lost from my initial list.

Burmester: I've not heard of any fast turnover, but you might be onto something.
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