mainly because I also plan to see how well they will drive my headphone that I listen to quite a bit.If headphones are important, at this level I’d get a separate headphone amp as the ones included in integrateds — even the better ones — are relative afterthoughts and not anything special at best (amps matter for headphones too!). When you can get a nice fully-balanced, Class-A headphone amp like the Singxer SA-1 for only $599 that’ll kick the crap out of any integrated’s headphone section, I can’t see using an integrated’s headphone section if you’re truly serious about headphone listening — and the SA-1 is small so not much of a space penalty for the level of benefit you’ll get. Just my $0.02 FWIW.
Looking for a SS integrated Amplifier recommendation going into a new system
While waiting for a new speaker delivery, I have some time to start looking for a SS integrated amplifier, and hoping for some recommendations.
The speaker to pair with is Ascend Acoustics Sierra Tower with RAAL tweeter option that is around 91dB efficient, and the room size is 12x18x8. I mostly listen to classical, jazz, female vocal, and the listening level normally is around 85dB, occasionally go up to 90dB.
I originally was looking for class-A integrated amplifier, but now would like to open the possibility to class-A/B as well to see what will be a good match for this new system I am putting together.
TIA
The speaker to pair with is Ascend Acoustics Sierra Tower with RAAL tweeter option that is around 91dB efficient, and the room size is 12x18x8. I mostly listen to classical, jazz, female vocal, and the listening level normally is around 85dB, occasionally go up to 90dB.
I originally was looking for class-A integrated amplifier, but now would like to open the possibility to class-A/B as well to see what will be a good match for this new system I am putting together.
TIA
72 responses Add your response
@soix , Thank you for the suggestion, I may not have made it clear on how I am going to use the headphone amp from the lower output Class-A integrated Amp mentioned by others such as Pass Int 25 or Luxman 590AXII. With these amps, I will be using the speaker outputs instead of headphone output to drive my headphone. I do use a separate headphone amp, a GS-X mk2, but have been wanting to try Class-A speaker amp for while, and this might be the right time. The more I think about my setup and possible future path of my system setup, I might end up getting two amps instead of just one. First, try out a Class-A integrated amp that can drive both my headphone and this speaker system well, and later, getting a Class-AB amp that will match well with the Tower speakers I am waiting for the delivery. Appreciate all the inputs thus far, they help a lot in my search. |
You have to demo any amp with your intended speakers. It’s difficult with so few remaining brick and mortar retailers left. I’m not familiar with your speaker, but numbers just don’t work. I went to demo the luxman in Atlanta and they were running kef blades. May have been the amp or the speakers, flat riled off top and bottom. Back home plan was to bring home the luxman for a demo with my paradigms but the demo had been purchased. Salesman put together esoteric f03 class a with Fyne 702. Thought esoteric was just digital. Bought the demo esoteric and and the 702 on the spot. Due to Covid delays it took 6 months for the Fynes to arrive. Hooked up the esoteric to my paradigms that have the same resistance and sensitivity as the Fyne and the result was unlistenable as the 30 watt class a could not drive the smallish bass drivers. So two thoughts, have to hear amp speaker combo unless returnable The esoteric was in a different league than the luxman, though the entry cost was 40 percent higher Happy listening |
So..... I actually did an extensive 2 day demo in my home, blind side by side comparison of the Sierra towers with RAAL vs B and W 702 s2. You can see the results at AVS forum. Do a search on Ascend acoustics sierra tower vs 702 s2 and should pop up. In the end, the B and W speakers won the competition and ended up in my home for two years. I have since upgraded to Legacy Audio Focus XD speakers which are in a completely different league. Like you have have category’s of jazz and female vocals on my system so we are definately alike on that. The Sierra towers are wonderful speakers. Of all that I could bring into my home in that price range, they were 1 of 2 on my radar. Bottom line to their biggest weakness in my opinion was base. I suggest a nice pair of Rhythmic subs to compliment the towers and you will be very happy with just about any amp you would want to throw at them. Their strong point where they won out over 702s2 was just flat out rock and roll.... they kick ass but sounds like that is not your gig. Anyway, again, you cant go wrong with the sierra towers. They look pretty cool too. |
I have several kits, including the new Technics Su-R1000 easily driving Floor standing B&Ws with ease and it is an amazing 10K digital amp. However, as the OP has indicated a preference for Class A/B amps, my experience with those is also profound. I know many responses refer the Luxman 590. It is an excellent amp. Personally, I have McIntosh separates in my main system and a MA-:5300 running LS 50s in a small offi e set up. All produce excellent yet different signature sounds. My current favorite though is the new MICHI Line. I heard both the MX 3 and the MX5 and they are on your price point, heavy well made and amazingly dynamic. They range from. $6 to about $10k and are quite a package. Whatever you choose as always is subjective to your personal spund tastes and peripheral equipment being amplified. Good luck in your purchase. |
If you want to buy a new amp I think the Bryston B135 is great Heard it at a dealer. https://twitteringmachines.com/review-bryston-b135-cubed-integrated-amplifier/ |
Since I can recommend only what I have owned or heard, I have three. If money was no object, I would buy a used Vinnie Rossi L2i. The new Vinnie is coming out soon and is significantly more expensive. The Vinnie made every speaker connected to it play beautifully, and I heard about a half dozen different pairs: different KEFs, Dynaudios, Dali’s, and QLNs. If I had a difficult room, I would consider a Lyngdorf. The DSP is great. I own a Simaudio 600i, purchased used, and have enjoyed it. It seems to check all my boxes. I am very tube curious, and I auditioned an Octave V 80 SE. Wow. Very nice, but it was just out of my price range. The bass was really something. And the tubes are so cool! Good luck. Keep us tuned in. |
Thank you all for the inputs. They are great thus far and help me to check into some wasn't on my original search path. I will have a chance to do home audition for Luxman 590AXii early next month and if I could arrange the schedule well, I plan to get a Belles Aria Signature here to do a test drive as well. Not having first hand experience with Belles Aria Signature, I wonder if anyone can provide some experience on this unit? If everything works out as planned, I will see if I can get a PASS Int 25 for a test drive as well. Meanwhile, there are couple stores I contacted will have audition schedule available next month. It is going to be a busy December. |
The biggest problem I've run into is that few equipment makers have enough inputs and outputs. They also do not work automatically or intuitively. Adjustments need to be made on the amp or player to make them run and when you change discs, the process starts over again. On top of that while SACDs sound better, I do not find 4 or 5 channel listening enchanting. After going through this for several years, I decided to stick with stereo, even listening to multi channel media. Like you, I have found a value in buying these obscure editions. Like you, I have found my quad records, my SACDs and my DVD audios to have climbed in value. Besides many of them are mixed a bit differently, so they are collectable Best of luck to you. Steven |
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I got one of the two amps here, a Luxman L509X, and just have it connected earlier tonight. The initial impression is very positive, but there are going to be some additional changes/tweaks I need to do to the setup over the next several days, but I really like what the Luxman is presenting. I am still trying to get the 590AXii here to compare, but it will be a bit of delay until early Jan-2022. |
@larryro2
Interesting comment. May I ask if you went through some of these *before* factoring in room acoustics? My greatest (audiophile) fear is that I flip gear bc I haven't done enough to deal with the room, first.
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