Is There any Truly "High End" Integrated Amp?

The VAC Alpha was very musical and enjoyable when I heard it 2 years ago, when it was just a prototype. From what I am told, several improvements were brought into the design since then.

Deadlyvj, I suggest you check out the APL Hi-Fi UA-S1.
Its a single gainstage with ECC99s in pre and very special transistors in the output. I was doing a search for my end all amps before I bought it. This one compares Very favourably to all amps Ive heard including Balabo and Dart.

Trelja,
Not only is the Jadis good sounding, it is great eye candy too. I really liked the separates that I had some time back. Very liquid--sweet--the Jasmine or Magnolia of audio.
Larry

The Altmann BYOB Amplifier.

I've owned three Jadis integrateds, and still have two of them. And, I have a lot of other components, including amplifiers, as well. The Jadis integrateds have proven to be the most reliable electronics I have owned.

Beyond that, in terms of their musicality, as the reputation suggests, they are second to none.

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.

"So many are good to great to wonderful. We all hear various aspects of recordings with differing appreciations. "Which is more dynamic?" "Which is more delicate?" "Which treats strings most accurately, percussion, male vocals, female vocals?"
The interface between speaker and amp is so important as to render many of the differences miniscule."

Lrsky, that is one excellent post.

With the obvious conflict of interest here, I would recommend the LSA Statement at about $11K. I've had virtually everything in my listening room, from Krell to cj, to Jadis to Halcro.
For my musical sensibilities, I've found nothing more musically satisfying. But then we're talking Opus 1 to Silver Oaks or some such.
So many are good to great to wonderful. We all hear various aspects of recordings with differing appreciations. "Which is more dynamic?" "Which is more delicate?" "Which treats strings most accurately, percussion, male vocals, female vocals?"
The interface between speaker and amp is so important as to render many of the differences miniscule.
If you like it--it's good until the Audio Fairy blesses you with more money to restart the search for that Holy Grail. At least you all love music--the greatest gift of all.

Larry

Intrigued of your final component list Deadlyvj, were the Jadis/Boulder/Rowland or Gryphon not suitable for your option list criteria?

I have read great things on the Vac Alpha (but never heard it) as well as for the Burmester (but courious to learn why Burmester owners sell their gear so fast...).

As for the Demidorff, not heard it nor read about it before.

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?

Not sure if anyone has mentioned the LSA integrated amps in this thread or not. MDW of Bound For Sound gave the Signature version an unofficial component of the year award a couple of years back. MDW has listened to a lot of integrated amps and of course separates. I could quote him as saying it was finally the first integrated amp that doesn't give up anything to separates (expensive ones). I have his review amp, and I am very impressed with it.

I can just imagine there are many true high end integrated amps out there these days. Take any one of them, put them in the right synergy and technically matched system that matches a persons preferences and a good room, and it should satisfy the most discriminating audiophile.

Frankly, I don't really care if its separates or an integrated, as long as it sounds great. I didn't get my LSA because i was looking of an integrated. I got it because I know it had good synergy with my speakers.

Jprice, if you like the Rowland so much, why are you selling it already?

since you also own Guarneri Memento, you should give BAT SE tube amp a try.

Jprice, if you like the Rowland so much, why are you selling it already?

since you also own Guarneri Memento, you should give BAT tube amp a try.

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"!

Hello Fla,

On Esoteric's website is called the A-100, that is the correct name, my mistake.

This amp is at home in my current system.

David

Dlanselm:
Didn't see the AT-100 on their website... Where did you hear it and what comprised the system you heard it in? What are the driver tubes? TIA

The Esoteric AT-100 is an integrated amp. However,it also happens to be the "best" amp I have heard to date, by a very wide margin. This is a break through amplifier IMO sound wise. This amp in worth building a system around, as it is so far ahead of its peers.

"LUXMAN" L590a mk2 or L550a mk2... CLASS A

Only music through the latest ViVa Solista mkII, after many auditions and search of Musical integrated this one stole my heart....it's like a real pre/power combo like Krell FBI, but on different sound spectrum, closer to music and more evolving, maybe it's the SET sound which so powerfull.

Definetely one of the very few Ultra integrated amps someone should check among others.

I am the proud owner of the Bow Technologies Wazoo XL and for a 75 watts per channel amplifier it does a very good job on my Acoustat's 1+1s speakers with a very difficult load 82db it is a very well built unit and also very nice.

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 have had quite a few integrateds, currently getting great results with an Acoustic Plan Sitar that replaced an Audio Note Meishu (also a great SET option).

The Gryphon line is great (I owned a Tabu, Century and a Callisto) and a Jadis DA60 Signature for those out there that like tubes (I had it for almost a year and also a terrific amp)

Cheers,

I went and listened to the all new Krell s300i $2,500 and I think its one of the best under $10,000!

Gamut DI150 - You have to hear it to believe how good it is.

Toteman, I was just about to post on the Blue Circle BMPH when I read your post. Yes, it is fast, refined, crystal clear and ultimately has the ability to open a window to the recording. I like mine very much. It's high end. Frankly, any and I mean any integrated retailing at the $4,000 price point ought to be.

Hi, I really don't know what "truly high end" means but if you are looking for a fast articulate delicate musical integrated amplifier, I would look no further than the Blue Circle BmPH. It replaced a PS Audio preamplifier driving a Spectral Acoustic power amplifier which had replaced a YBA DT. In the BmPH I got the power and punch of the separates with the invitation and elegance of the YBA.

There's actually two Solistas, the MkII at $16.9k and the Lt at $7800.

Another that comes to mind is the affordable Pathos Classic One MkIII.

I agree with Piedpiper, the Viva Solista is a revelation. Mine is just back from Italy for modifications and it controls and drives my Acoustic Zen Adagios beautifully. No fuzzy tube sound, crisp, clean, dynamic. I also have the Karan K 180, someone else mentioned, for hot weather use. Not as good as the Solista, but it's half the price. If you look on this site, the Solista comes up 2nd hand fairly often, I bought mine on the Gon

Another vote for Simaudio I-7 it really does qualify high end and integrated. Holographic with real timbre good power too.

Just heard the 845 based Solista from VivA... absolutely stunning. Definitely high end, and high priced, but worth it, if you've got it.

I have been using my new CODA CSi Integrated for about 2 months, and I believe that it represents a true "High End" marriage between amp & preamp with all the modern remote control features. This new CSi is the next generation of the Unison Ultra, but with upgrades to numerous components. At 220 WPC, it drives my Tyler Woodmere 2's with ease and grace. Specifically new in this latest version is the new Burr-Brown controller (less distortion than the previous version) and a MOSFET voltage gain stage, which has reportedly given it slightly smoother (more tube-like) sonics. Also Black Gate caps, etc.

We haven't heard much from CODA lately, as their main production focus has been on the European market, who seem to keep them busy buying all that CODA can produce. But they are still hard at work in development and production, and they will fabricate American orders whenever requested.

I am planning to listen for another couple of months, and then submit some type of review based upon my experiences.

Im driving JM LAB electras 936 With their to noch Berilium tweater- with small joke called SIMAUDIO I-5080 ( sames as I-3) its about 75w @4om I can tell You can beat this amp wit I-5 or sam other that cost over 1500 GBP but I paid for it only 500 its definneatly worth it. CDP-SIMAUDIO Eclipse, cables ANALYSIS PLUS SOLO Crystal or at the best Virtual Dynamics Master LE. Speaker cables Accoustic Zen Absolute

Anyone hear Abbingdon Music Research's AM-77?

It's a hybrid using 5687s in a class A, no NFB preamp stage, with bipolars for the output stage in a "feed-forward" topology. It was very well received at the recent HiFi show in London.

i have one to add: Einstein -the absolute tune, looks unfortunately a bit pompous, but some people go for that..
I have used the Krell 300iL, which I love with demanding speakers and for its handlability. The real treat though was the Pathos Twin Towers, although it is a tad slow when speakers are not up to it.
With the Einstein you have a good average: it is 50Ws but that does not mean a thing with this; rather more important it is a so called cyclotrone-design: otl-amplifier, but built around two sankens..funny gear with a very refined sound to it. I am currently pondering about matching it with an ideal speaker ;-)

Wow, the title of the post says "are there any" and there has been almost one different suggestion per post. Guess the answer is yes, there are high-end integrateds, but good luck narrowing down a list of several dozen! ;-)

Jprice, I am familiar with both the Veritys and the Avalons. I like them both a lot: clean, pure timbres, fabulous tonal balance. If the Rowland Concerto sounds similar to Gamut DI-150 AND your Spectral separates, that is a fabulous recommendation.

I am enjoying a First Sound pre' and GamuT M200's combo right now, but I am always on the look out for a superior integrated amp.

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.

The ASR emmiter is supposed to be last amp you'll ever need and is an integrated.

Jprice, what speakers are you using with the Rowland Concerto, please?

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. . . . .

Someone already mentioned the excellent GamuT DI-150---very nice and quite expensive.

Another really good integrated is the Linar 10--and not nearly as expensive as the DI-150. It is a 5.1 channel integrated that can be switched into four channels into two-channel stereo for the easiest bi-amping I know. (It’s a matter of connecting speaker cables appropriately and hitting a switch on the remote.) I heard this unit (at a friend’s house) played as a normal stereo amp and liked it a lot, then heard it in 4 x 2 stereo, bi-amp’ed, and it blew my sox off. Four channels of clean, 125 watts (each) in stereo mode really sang.

Linar gear sounds clear, open, extended, musical, and controlled. The frequency extension is the first thing I noticed: lows go quite low and the highs seem to just go on and on. It is on my short list if I want to down size.

I use the Cary 300SEI BLX although heavily modified. check it out by clicking on my "system".

Bwright: I'd like to hear your feedback on the new Master Series integrated from NAD: NAD M3

I'd say yes. I have been auditioning high end integrated amps for some time now, and like the rest of us, have been looking for one with the perfect balance of detail & warmth.

These the most interesting I have heard thus far:

McIntosh MA2275 (tube) - A truly balanced sound - I can understand why they charge so much, as you'll have no need for separates. A great combination of tube flavor with a detailed solid state leaning. Easy to listen to for hours, and it can handle a variety of musical genres. Best all around integrated amp I have heard so far.

Simaudio I-5 (solid state) - Detailed without the ear surgery edge - used ones are an incredible value - an all-around great performer. A bit mellow on the bass/impact side, although the new I-5.3 is supposedly going to address this.

Marantz PM-11S1 (solid state) - This is a really interesting integrated amp from their Reference series, and I'm surprised it hasn't received more attention in the press. Laid back, tightly detailed, but insanely musical with the right recordings.

I have also auditioned Krell, Manley, PrimaLuna, Pathos, Arcam, Musical Fidelity and others - and have a few more to go (Unico, Ayre, etc.). All are excellent in their own right, but these three really stood out.

Goldmund 330 Integrated

Just heard seriously (for 4days in house) the new Krell FBI, is by far the best integrated I've heard, delicacy, sweetness, power, "sunny" without glare or harshness.............. also Gryphon Diablo was in but came second, waiting ASR emiterII to end my best integrated quest.

I think my Audion Silver Night MkII PX25 counts as "truly high end". However, amps with that basic accolade can differ all over the map in capability, and all require sympathetic systems to bring out their star qualities. The Audion's 6 watts might not sound quite so high end on a pair of big JM Labs Utopias, but in a system with the right speakers and source, they are worth their price.

I would have to say,KARAN ACOUSTICS.The KAI-180 replaced my CAT ULTIMATE MK3/ART AUDIO JOTA SINGLE ENDED combo.Fantastic sound.

any try Gryphon's diablo?