Looking to buy a quality integrated $10,000 budget.


I’m at the point now I’m happy with my speakers, Klipsch La Scala AL5 at 105db sensitivity or there about and 8ohm load. I really don’t need big power. Unfortunately many integrated, as you go up the companies lines, keep adding power and not much else I’m not really into paying for something I’ll never use.

I do not need a DAC built in, I do not need a phono stage built in but I would not count them out if they were good quality and I could reduce the box load. So if I replace them I would need something as good inside the integrated as the Gold Note PH10 phono stage and Schiit Gungnir multi bit DAC that I currently use.

Sources are; Garrard 301 table set up with Jelco 12"arm and Van Den Hull Cart (and a Soundsmith MI), PC based streamer, multi disc player and Apple TV 4K (all the digital goes into the DAC) and a tuner (I like the Seattle NPR radio, Jazz 24).

I’m so far considering in Tube or SS class A (preferably but wont rule others out):

- Luxman 590axii, class A 30wpc. this is a top choice for me right now. change my mind?
- Luxman Tube integrated like the LX 380
- Accuphase E 650 (used-older as USA prices are overpriced mind you I can get it cheaper in Canada so may not be an issue),
- McIntosh MAC 7200, more power then I’ll ever need but many features like a tuner, phono stage etc. so could go to one box but what’s the compromise with all that inside?
- BAT VK801 and others never heard a BAT (recommended from a friend) so not sure, I don’t have anywhere near me to listen so don’t say go listen.
- Sungden but I have to admit I find them homely and a little basic looking.
- Triode Labs and Finale Audio (great gear by the way) I’ve considered (again) but I really want a remote and need more then 3 inputs.
- Pass labs class A if I can find one used and in my budget.
- Decware and the other smaller tube amps are also in the back of my head.
- what am I forgetting or don’t know that’s the question?

Sound is paramount but it has to appeal to me looks-function wise as well, I just can not look at a homely integrated regardless of the sound. Also I really want a remote this time around! If I kept both DAC and Phono stages I could go (partially) balanced but my tuner is single ended so its not important to me. Also I would like to stay away from Chinese production for now. Recently used ( newer then 10 years) or New is what I’m thinking.

I’m kind of trending away from tubes just tired of replacing them, 300b’s no way ever again. I Live in an open concept Loft so my main system does everything TV-movies-music. I also tend to have my system on playing from 4pm to midnight through the week and all day and night weekends (when I’m home of course) so my system gets lots of use this is why I’m thinking tubes may be done in my audio life maybe we will see.

I do not like the looks of Mac’s sloped front integrated tube amps similar to AudioNotes new integrated I find that sloped face not to my tastes. AudioNote in general I find over priced for what you get. yes I’ve owned some.

I have listen to some Moon gear wasn’t for me. And Rega’s new stuff again not for me. Naim, Linn pass not for me, been there done that not my cup of tea. Vintage is for my bedroom so not here.

looking for;
Dynamics, good bass control but good separation of notes, sweet top end that’s not edgy or overly bright, midrange that’s involving, huge soundstage maybe the word musical comes to mind. I tend to a slightly warmer side of neutral but not too much. All types of music except classical. I don’t listen above 85db.

ok I think I’ve put enough in here for a reasonable response.

What amps should I consider in this price range new or used? one last thing I live in western Canada.

Glen



128x128glennewdick

Showing 8 responses by glennewdick

Yes I'll be waiting until after Jan 1st before I buy to get into 2021 tax year.  I'll be spreading some money I have from Veterans Affairs around to save some on tax's. 

The last time I tried OTL's I found them too noisy for the 105db speakers. I agree some of the best tube gear I've listened to but the hum is too much, they were 3rd gen  Atma Sphere M60's. Not to mention too many tubes for heat. I'll have a look i think i may have read about them recently. 

thanks for the suggestion.
glen 
Thanks everyone for the input, I'm looking at LTA seriously now as well as my LUX- Accuphase options I've mentioned and totally forgot the Leman, Shido, Bolder etc stuff. 

Art Audio is interesting. note though I will not go to 300b's again. 

couple good suggestions but I need 4 inputs and a remote so a couple are out due to only 3 inputs and no remote.

 I've also had a Line Magnetic 845 tube integrated in my system for a few days and it was a not to my tastes I agree the 845 is a little too top heavy.

thanks everyone. 

glen 

"arcticdeth
10K,....really?
spend 3K, buy records and a down payment on a Dodge Viper. "

I have over 2k of records and a 2020 Ford Bullitt Mustang I'm good. 
I've reached out to LTA for more information defiantly a top choice from what I've read. thanks for that suggestion. 

Diablo 300 way too much power but the diablo 120 is interesting. I've never had the experience to see let alone hear anything from Gryphon though and I doubt there will be anywhere close to listen. Maybe in Seattle or Vancouver those are the two largest places that are reasonable distance to me that I will travel for this perches if i don't buy used that is.

 I'm not apposed to buying unseen as they say if I know the reputation of the company and have many reviews to help judge. But listening touching is ideal of course. Many good suggestions I had not considered thank you all. 

Chorus, I did not see any Integrated amps on Merrill's site. coming soon though. 

I'll not be looking at Krell, levenson or moon not to my taste but thanks for the suggestion. 

Looks like i have a good start to do some thinking and research - listening if I can find a place. 

My Plan is to get off this merry-go-round of audio equipment and settle down and just enjoy into retirement.  

Thanks again everyone for the excellent feedback and suggestions. 

Glen 
If i go SS I'll most likely go Class A so all these big power amps I'll be passing on I have no use of hundreds of watts when 2wpc is enough 30wpc is perfect. So Pass labs if i go that way will be one of their class A amps not he INT250 for example. 

CJ I've not looked at them for years since I owned a per-power 16 years ago. mm interesting same as Cary Audio but I hear they have gone down in quality since Denice Hadd retired. Shame some of the most fun i had in audio was through a SLP 94 preamp and SLM 100 mono amps set up driving some Proac Response 2.5's back 15+ years ago now. Time marches forward and we get old haha. 

cheers all have a great week

glen 
Audiofound I’m not against Pass labs at all just not their big power amps as I just don’t need 250wpc to drive 105db sensitive speakers. Their class A offerings are very interesting to me. If not a bit over my budget new.
Note I’m in Canada so paying US$ is already adding 35%+ to the cost so stretching my budget much past the $10k mark adds significant more money to the cost. $10k is basically $16k+ with exchange, duties and tax’s.

ive had a compete Naim system in the past and was not happy with the sound just not my cup of tea. Let alone the cables, power supplies etc you need. 
At this point I’ve put the luxman L590axii and the LTA amps high on my list. Leben is also a consideration. 

I’m also considering some triode labs gear, a Pass Labs integrated (first watt too maybe)  

I've not heard any Krell items in over a decade so not sure what their sound signature is like I found them to be a bit dry sounding in the past. I found the older models to be homely in that gun metal gray. The newer ones are much nicer looking I will say. 
Thanks for the suggestions I’m still doing research. And monitoring this thread. 
Again thanks everyone. 
Glen 

Hay Steve did you settle on a tube amp yet? And congrats of the new LaScala's, I watch your video it was done quite well with much passion. 

I was the gentleman who suggested you look at the 45 tube types. I'm again leaning back to tubes again for mine. Its a fence i seem to jump back and forth over haha. Love hate relationship with tubes.