Is There any Truly "High End" Integrated Amp?

I have recently heard some very good things about the new Gamut DI-150 integrated amp that was introduced at CES. Is anyone familiar with that amp?

It is supposed to be a combination of the Gamut D-200 Mark III amplifier and the D3 PreAmp on one chassis. The pictures look very good and the test reports from England & Norway that are listed on the Gamut web site ( http://www.gamutaudio.com/ ) are excellent.

I'd certainly appreciate any feedback on this amp if anyone has seen or tried it.

Many thanks.

Someone wrote me this morning and suggested that the SimAudio Moon I-7 (apparently a "brand new" integrated amp) is the equal of any on the market and better than SimAudio's own comparably priced separates (the P5 & W3).

Has anyone heard this amp?

I bought a GamuT DI-150 and it was a wonderful sounding integrated amplifier. It was also beautiful to look at - - - Probably the best looking piece of audio gear I've ever seen.

My only problem with the Gamut was the fact that it didn't have a balance control. In the room where the integrated is to be used, a balance control is quite valuable and somewhat necessary.

This is also a problem with the wide variety of Musical Fidelity integrated amps - no balance control.

I sold the GamuT and bought a Rowland Concerto integrated. Sounds just about as good (I think it sounds every bit as good) and it does have my precious balance control. I guess the only problem with the Rowland is that it doesn't begin to look as good as the GamuT. Oh Well. . . . .

In response to a question from Kalan (above)

I am using the Rowland Concerto integrated amp with Verity Parsifal Encore speakers at a weekend house. These are speakers that are usually coupled with the best separates - but they sound GREAT with the Rowland.

In my home system, I have used the Rowland with my Avalon Eidolons and the little integrated sounds very close to my Spectral amps & preamp.

I started this thread in 2006 and have experienced several excellent integrated since that time - the two latest were the Simaudio Moon I-7 - which was a phenomenal piece of gear and the Jeff Rowland 500 watt Continuum Integrated Amplifier - Man, what an amp!

I am currently using this amplifier in a second system with a pair of extremely power hungry - extremely revealing - Eggleston Andra II speakers and the results are indeed something to write home about.

Let me first state that my "main system" consists of Avalon Eidolons, driven by Spectral electronics and I guess you might say that I am aware of how good stuff should sound - so - when I say that the Rowland Continuum is really excellent - I am basing this statement on 40+ years of listening to good equipment, and even my old, almost worn out ears can hear the difference.

The Rowland Continuum 500 watt integrated amp is GOOD! Probably the best I have ever heard and possibly (almost) the equal of my Spectral separates.

Try it - You'll like it!

I continue to be impressed by the Jeff Rowland Continuum 500. I am now using the amp to drive a pair of Sonus Faber Guarneri Memento speakers and the sound is superb!!!!

As they say :"Try it, you'll like it"!