2. amps-preamps
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My last Integrated Amp: $5-10,000?

I would like to hear recommendations regarding integrated amplifiers costing between $5-10,000. This will be my last amplifier for quite a while. I prefer to buy used when I can but also prefer no older that 2-3 years.  My speakers are likely to change every couple of years and I may keep more than one pair.

I like a detailed and transparent sound with air and the ability to easily to pick out the location of the instruments/singers.   I have liked the class A that I’ve heard and I’ve liked the tubes that I’ve heard but I don’t want to mess with tubes.  Also, I do not want a streaming device and I’d rather not have a built in DAC but I can live with it. 

My music preferences are vocals and 70-90s rock. 
So far I have identified the following possibilities that are available.
Mark Levinson: No 585 at $8400 and ML-5805 at $6550.  The latter is a new model and I have read that there have been teething problems. I don’t know if ML have corrected this situation. 
Luxman L-590AXII $7250  has a good reputation and longevity but is relatively low powered.

McIntosh MA5300, Coda CISB, and Gryphon Diablo 120 are also possibilities if available.

chinook9

Showing 5 responses by chinook9

chinook9 OP
66 posts
 

Thank you to all of you who have made recommendations.  I have started reading reviews and checking to see what's available. 

The reading reviews part may be a bit easier than I thought.  I expect reviewers to say lots of nice things that don't generally help me, however, for a couple of these amps the reviewers just flat out state that its the best they ever heard.  It makes interpreting those reviews much easier.

Thanks again....but I expect I may be back asking for additional information.

chinook9 OP
66 posts
 

Preferably used, but only 2-3 years old.

chinook9 OP
66 posts
 

Thank you for the input folks.

After much reading, and checking to see what is available, I ordered a Coda CISB. I’ll let you know what I think.

The new speakers are Q Acoustics Concept 500 using TIDAL Premium through Optical Rendu and Denafrips Pontus.

The Concept 500s were apparently shown by the manufacturer and designer using Marantz PM10 (Class D, I believe) and Naim amps. I couldn’t bring myself to go with either one at this point.

chinook9 OP
66 posts
 

rick2000, Thanks for the heads-up on the I50.  I'll check it out in the future.  Good price for a tube amp that I might like.

chinook9 OP
66 posts
 

yes nickb, I did receive the amp. It seems to be every bit as good as advertised but I'm not really qualified to judge....I haven't listened to many different systems in the last 30 years.  My other amp is Doge 10 30 watt tube amp.  The Coda is very different with a much more powerful sound but still very detailed with a wide soundstage. 

I am getting bored this summer, however, and I've have been thinking about putting up a post to see if any of the audiogonians have compared the Coda to other comparably priced amplifiers....still thinking however. 

I really like the Coda but I keep wondering how it would compare to an Accuphase, Luxman, or even Pass Labs.  If I get too bored before football season starts I may bite the bullet and pick up one of the above.....We'll see.

 

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