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

I have a Krell K300i with the integrated DAC and I love this amp!   However I use an Audio Mirror Tubadour III SE for my music DAC as that combination is magical.

The Krell has great power and I understand the first 92watts are Class A.

The weak point is the remote, but that does not affect the sound!

Look at USAudiomart for a KRELL K-300i integrated. The ad may not be up yet but it one will show up. 

I would second Hegel 390, sounds fantastic, and I have heard great thing about Krell 300i.

Without question theu.s.a made Coda imo best under $10 k 

pit has 120 amps on hand the biggest potted transformer in class ,3,000 Va 

super quiet all others open core ,and 3 power choices ,and doubles down into 2 ohms lowest power is 18  first watts into class A , then 150,300,600 wpc from 8 to 2 ohms ,10 year warranty. ,1st year they will even pay the shipping if it broke which is Very rare, stereo times 2020 product ofthe year, and a great review vs pass labs 

a very natural sounding integrated amp and also 2 higher power choices  at no extra charge I think retail around $7 k Mike at Audio Archon is a very good guy to work with  and get a break in pricing off retail.

Luxman L-590AXII $7250 has a good reputation and longevity but is relatively low powered.

 

As what Celestial Sound has suggested, the rated output numbers on paper as published by few manufacturers are conservative and do not reflect the actual output in real life, particularly Class A designs. This applies to the Luxman L-590AXII as well. The test bench of the Luxman L-590AXII performed by Hifi News shows that the power output is more than triple the official quoted figures in the specification.

Official on paper = 30W (8 ohms) / 60W (4 ohms)

Actual test bench results = 95W (8 ohms) / 165W (4 ohms)

 

That's a good list, I'd throw in Ayre as something to listen to.

Be aware the Luxman 590 specs are way too conservative (probably due to FTC pre-heating requirements).  The actual output with music is much higher than spec.

I like a detailed and transparent sound with air and the ability to easily to pick out the location of the instruments/singers.

Sounds like Pass Labs :) Go and audition the INT-25, don't let the specs fool you. Just listen and see for your self

Bakoon.Not powerhouses but they have a very pure ,open and 3D sound.Just about anything else other than a very very good SET sounds hazy by comparison.An AMP 5521 for example.

you have a good list already

i would add hegel h390 or 590, new krell in that price range, and of course, pass lab stuff

not a bad one in the lot, just subtle sonic differences while all being truly excellent in their own way, and of course, some feature set differences