My last Integrated Amp: $5-10,000?

If you want more of the class A smooth sound, then go with a KRELL K-300i over the CSiB. I owned both, including CSiB V1. I ended up with CODA and KRELL separates because I liked the K-300i and CSiB a lot.

I also thought the older ML 585 was better than the newer ML  5805. I think the DAC in the newer integrated maybe better than the old 585.

@audiotroy, It seems the Coda CSiB Integrated Amplifier is available in a V3, V2 and a V1 versions. Each version has a different wattage output (400, 250 and 150). I understand the wattage differences but what are the sound quality differences between the 3 versions? Thanks.

we specialize in integrated amplifiers 

the coda csib was the best sounding integrated under 10k it bested the Luxman 

a bit more 2500 this integrated beats the Levinson it is exactly what you seek amazing resolution a warn presentation outstanding German build quality.

the krell k300i is also terrific 

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect NJ

coda, t+A, krell dealers.

The KWM 88. EBay takes 13%. Call and offer to buy for 9k. You can demo this as well. I have one and it’s stunning. Lifetime warranty too. 

I agree with @twoleftears The Norma Revo IPA-140B is wonderful. Listening to my 140B right now. 

@chinook9 I owned and compared the CSiB from Sept 2020 (not as good as yours) with CODA #8, KRELL K-300i, KRELL Duo 175XD, Benchmark AHB2(s), Parasound A21+, D-Sonic something, NAD M22 V2, and LSA Voyager 350 GAN (modded)

If you really want to get substantially better than the CSiB and stay with the slightly warm sound with grunt, you need to go to the CODA #16. That is a killer amp. I still have the AHB2 and KRELL 175XD which sound different than CODA amps. I may upgrade the 175XD to an upcoming KRELL amp.

It would be interesting if you did post about the amp as the Coda preamp was so highly spoken about. 

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.

Hey Chinook9,

Did you receive that Coda amp yet? 

Yeah, depends on speakers. I love Plinius amps with Dynaudio (Esp Confidence series) and it sounds vwery good with Tannoy, but thick and dark with Daedalus. For integrated though, only the amp side of Plinius gets my love, the preamp side not so much.

So many choices....at least you eliminated tubes for the gang....

SS: I'd second Luxman, Simaudio, Ayre, and add also Sugden for Class A -especially if you live in MN or ND or Anchorage....

I've not heard the Modwright, but it looks pretty great and i'm loving his KWA150SE.

Hybrid (why not!): Pathos and BAT.....

but … if future speakers could be a demanding load, current-hungry, etc I would consider a Plinius. They are biased heavily into class A, but have a lot of power and current available, stable into low impedances.

Plinius is less detailed and refined than Luxman. It sounds warmer with a thick heavy bass but with reduced clarity. My experience was with the SA-100mk3 and the Hautonga received the same remarks.

Lots of choices … Luxman gets a lot of love here, deservedly so, … but … if future speakers could be a demanding load, current-hungry, etc I would consider a Plinius. They are biased heavily into class A, but have a lot of power and current available, stable into low impedances. 

I would also add Bryston B-135 cubed to your list.

If you want to keep the price down the Moonriver Audio Ref integrated is only $5k new and has great reviews. Said to drive most speakers really well. I’ve heard it with a Focal Kanta 3.

If you switch speakers a lot you should probably try to find an amp that can drive almost anything.

I think I heard the Bladelius Oden a few months ago and according to the specs it should handle all speakers as it outputs 2x400w into 8 ohm. It is a bit outside your price range but might be worth looking up.

https://highfidelity.pl/@main-998&lang=en

Never thought i would say this as I own two great integrateds the evo 300 tube and Levinson 383 newly restored by Levinson. Don’t use the prima until the winter for obvious reasons (heat) Was at my local dealer he had a mint Marantz PM- K1 Ruby he said it would surprise me not a big class d output guy, had a peachtree once tones of power great midrange but no air/ top end. Was expecting the same thing with the Ruby boy was I wrong. No heat perfect for the bedroom with Tannoy minis and a Rel 9 x sub. The amp took me for a loop incredible sound with tons of power drove my Hales Revelation 3’s easy which dips down into 2.8 ohms.   Incredible amp let’s just say it never went back for 2k in mint condition it was a steal. These are also made in Japan so the build quality was out of this world takman resistors high-quality propylene capacitors beautiful glass epoxy circuit boards I’m blown away. And the moving coil stage is phenomenal! Listening to Porcupine Tree’s new album right now it doesn’t beat my main rig but it comes close for half the price

Also this uses a toroidal power supply not smps probably the best value piece of audio I’ve ever owned 🤘🤘🤘

Which one would you choose ? Not the best speakers, and digital source.

Start at 1:20.

As for Luxman, it cannot compete with Accuphase, ask any Japanese audiophile.

Yeah, D'Agostino Momentum is better than any mentioned above by everyone. SS, I mean.

There is or was one used for sale for $25K.

Gryphon and Pass should definitely be given a listen.

I am enjoying my Auris Fortissimo integrated tube amp from Serbia it doesn't have a large exposure in North America 100 watts classA/AB there are 2 reviews online at Part Time Audiophile and Stereo Life Magazine they make my Audiovector r6 Arrete sing  also using Goldnote DS10 and Goldnote PSU Evo 10 just waiting for my Nordost loom and Wireworld platinum 8 Eclipse XLR the amp is at your max budget

One suggested Simaudio 340i Or 600iv2 the new AR is very nice also check out Norma Audio very nice integrated.

After going through about 10-12 high end integrated amps  have been looking also for my last integrated as I’m getting older and space, $, is getting to be a premium.also tired of trying, testing and changing; so ended up with a couple of choices, 2 of them with exorbitant pricing, then my recommendation is for a pricey amp and not ridiculous, that sounds as good or maybe better in some regards to the big $$ amps, here are some examples of what I’ve tried so far.

DartZeel, Ypsilon, Gryphon, CH Accuphase, Luxman, and others I’ve tried, including a couple of hybrid and all tube amps.

my choice of value for $ and there is no hint of any hardness or harshness of any kind. Was the Accuphase integrated, I had an E-650, while very good in all regards a little lo wish in power for healthy headroom in dynamic and bass peaks. So went to E-800, then also purchased an E-480 to get a good grip on more powerful amps and the E-5000. 
they are all fantastic cakes for the $ and will greatly depend on your speakers, if you have speakers with sensitivity of 89 dB or less I defenestro y recommend the E-480 for medium to later room, if you have an even bigger room definitely go for the E-5000 if you can fit the budget.

I feel the Gryphon Diablo 300 came fairly close but with my large ribbon tweeters I could hear some hardness in the upper mids that bothered me a little bit.

then the Ypsilon Phaeton but at $35k did not sound the best in my system and of course price was way out there and performance seemed not better than the others I was considering sometimes not even on par. I was expecting sincerely quite a bit more of the more expensive guys….

my recommendation, take a listen to either the Accuphase e-480 or the e-5000  depending on room and $.

hope this helps a little bit 

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.

Audio Research I-50 😃

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0cCHTVpfyk

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.

Accuphase, Gryphon, Vitus or Boulder. You would have to audition them all or guess wildly.

I have the Primaluna EVO running DYI speakers. A Blusound Node 2i and an innuos Mini mk 3. Around your price range.  The Prinma Luna is build like a tank to last a lifetime.  It is forgiving with the majority of speakers. You can change tubes to tailor sound to a certain degree which you cannot to with solid state.   I love the quaily of the EVO 100. They have more integrated amps in that line.  I like the protection curcuitry to shut off if a tube shorts. Also, energy saving in idle, auto biasing for any compatible tube. Quality remote. I suggest you go listen. I bought mine after comparing it side by side with a Hegel H390.  I like sound as if I were there.

What about an Accuphase...?  e-380 perhaps?  

If you must go integrated I recently heard the new Luxman L 507Z and the sound paired with Harbeth 30XD speakers was very nice.  

see post 74.  

https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/axpona-2022.1143328/page-3

Looking good. Let me paste the photos here. 

just saw your post. I had the 590 AX II. I did enjoy it for vocals very much. Listened to lots of vinyl with it as it has a built in phono stage. Vocals were really nice with the amp. It is not in any way a powerful amp. I know people talk about specs, and it isn’t a “weak” amp but for rock I found that when pushed the sound pressed and sort of screamed. A little like being to fast in 3rd gear. Classical def didn’t have enough power. Jazz and vocals are nice. So if you like to rock out I would maybe go with a bit more power. I have spent time with the levinson 585 and that def has more bass and power. For sure. It is more neutral sounding, a tad colder than the 590 but it has more guts and sounds good. The Luxman 509 to me has nothing in common with the 590. Totally different color as it is designed AB vs class A. To my ears the 509 was not nearly as nice as the 590 or the 585. Somebody mentioned pass, the INT 60 would be much more powerful than either Luxman. Pass puts out lots of power in their class A designes. I also listened to Boulder , Ayre . Someone mentioned gryphon 120. I actually do believe that will be your amp because of the vocals and rock. The 120 is considered to be a fantastic integrated with a slightly warm color. I sold my 590 AX II luxman because it just didn’t have the power I needed for classical.

Dancarlson10,

Good information. I believe the speakers play a huge role in the amp selection. May I ask on the speakers that were matched with the Luxman L-590AXII and 509X? I have not listened to the 509X but own the 590AXII. The 590AXII to me is a wonderful amp when matched with appropriate speakers. It’s currently the best sounding integrated amp below $10k I’ve owned after more than 25 years of messing around in this hobby. I’ve had it matched with Marten Duke 2 and it’s a wonderful sounding combination - smooth, slightly warm but delicate and refined with good clarity and detail. It’s not easy to achieve smooth and warm with refined and detail at the same time but the 590AXII managed to deliver this result. Most smooth or warm amps/systems sound soft and wooly, lacking in detail, dynamics and drive but the Luxman combines everything together and delivers the sound as a whole package.

The L-590AXII matches well with efficient or relatively easy to drive speakers. If the speakers are a demanding load or there is a requirement to fill a large room with sound. then perhaps there will be other more appropriate options as you have brought up. More powerful amps such as Pass Labs INT-60 or INT-250 etc.

@mtbiker29 

I have the Luxman 595ase and could not be happier. The 509ax is a world-class amplifier. Luxman is just a quality outfit thru and thru.

I missed the speaker brand (would like to know) but likely still going to answer Luxman, Pass, Gryphon or Hegel.  Mac 5300 isn't in same range as much of what we are describing here.  As someone else said move up the line 1-2 notches if you can.  

I use Luxman 509x and this review really spoke to me.,,,would be curious where you OP or others come out on this continuum:  

For argument and sake of reference point, if you were to put Boulder amplifiers (and we still had the 1100 series here for comparison) as straight-up natural at 12 o’clock – adding nor subtracting nothing, with no sense of added tonal saturation, our reference Pass XS Pre/XA 200.8 is probably at about 10:30. With going to the left a bit on the warm/saturated side. The Luxman 900 series was about 11:30, with our tube references the PrimaLuna EVO 400 and VAC i170 coming in at about  9:00 and 9:30. I’d put the recent Esoteric integrated about 12:30 – slightly to the cold side, and the last few Simaudio amplifiers we’ve reviewed about 1:00 – even more clinical. The L-509x, like it’s larger separates has that same touch of warmth/saturation, without being slow or non-resolving. I wish I would have had the ability to listen to them both side-by-side and suspect that the L-509x comes very, very close to the 900 series in terms of sonic performance.

Luxman. 

I’m very very happy with my Aesthetix Mimas. 

(Also FWIW, my first choice integrated for my next system is the Gryphon Diablo 120 but that is also because it works exceptionally well with my favored speakers.) 

Many terrific suggestions here, the only (obvious) thing I’ll add is your choice of amp will narrow the selection of speakers that are best suited to your system and tastes, so it’s good to factor what your starting point speaker will be. I don’t think there’s a right approach to building your system around the amp vs speaker but speakers are far more variable so I tend to build around the speaker once I find one I like. And FWIW my amps have changed at about 5x the frequency of my speakers - I had my first set (Merlin TSM) for nearly 20 years, though with a few upgrades along the way, went through an experimentation phase with 2 transitional speakers (but honestly the real factor was I had more means), and I don’t intend to change my current ones probably for the next 10 years. Amps are also far easier to trade on the used market than speakers which makes swapping more straightforward.

No one mentioned Jeff Rowland class-D Continuum S2?

 I love mine very much

I agreed with @ghdprentice , besides the price, these different amplifier sound very differently.which sound you like? we do not know and you do not know.you can't purchase with blind eye. You got come to the dealer and demo listen your favorite music, longer than one hour for each brand  and you decide.

I had an Audio Research GSi75 a couple years ago.  It was phenomenal with a superb DAC and phonostage.  My large space and fairly inefficient Wilson Sophias simply needed more so I went back to separates.  I then later dabbled again with the ML 5805 and 585.5.  The 5805 impressed me a LOT!  It was definitely stronger than the GSi75 and my Sophias were very happy.  I knew that I would not be happy having a mid-line model so returned the B-stock item to Crutchfield and found a demo 585.5 from a dealer.  A few weeks had passes but when I first listened I was disappointed.  It didn't impress the way the 5805 did and there is no logical explanation for that.  It also had a bad capacitor and was picking up a Spanish AM station.  Nothing wrong with a little festive Spanish music but that wasn't going to work either.  I did not want to have a newly purchased item serviced so thankfully the dealer took it back.  Hope that little bit of experience helps and good luck in the search.

OP:

Some questions that I have not seen answers from you.

1. What type of speakers do you anticipate using? Efficient, sealed, high power, Tower, bookshelf, etc

2. Do you want balanced inputs/outputs

3. Solid state or tube

@chinook9 

H.

just saw your post. I had the 590 AX II. I did enjoy it for vocals very much. Listened to lots of vinyl with it as it has a built in phono stage. Vocals were really nice with the amp. It is not in any way a powerful amp. I know people talk about specs, and it isn’t a “weak” amp but for rock I found that when pushed the sound pressed and sort of screamed. A little like being to fast in 3rd gear. Classical def didn’t have enough power. Jazz and vocals are nice. So if you like to rock out I would maybe go with a bit more power. I have spent time with the levinson 585 and that def has more bass and power. For sure. It is more neutral sounding, a tad colder than the 590 but it has more guts and sounds good. The Luxman 509 to me has nothing in common with the 590. Totally different color as it is designed AB vs class A. To my ears the 509 was not nearly as nice as the 590 or the 585. Somebody mentioned pass, the INT 60 would be much more powerful than either Luxman. Pass puts out lots of power in their class A designes. I also listened to Boulder , Ayre . Someone mentioned gryphon 120. I actually do believe that will be your amp because of the vocals and rock. The 120 is considered to be a fantastic integrated with a slightly warm color. I sold my 590 AX II luxman because it just didn’t have the power I needed for classical.

$5-$10 grand!

For a pocket of silver that big, consider either the 340i X, or the 600i v2, Integrated Amplifier from Sim Moon Audio. Both give you plenty of head room for driving most speaker loads.

Sim Moon are known to be detailed, transparent & built like tanks.

Maybe the Krell 300i integrated Amp  

Mfg link to Krell 300i amp

Chinook,

While of a different mold than what you are likely expecting to hear about here, I would suggest you look at the Linn Akurate Exaktbox i.  I paid $7900 for mine new at the dealer in March 2021.  It accepts only digital inputs.  Mine is paired with a LinnAkurate System Hub ($4000, also in March 2021), and provides 6 channels of very clean, very conservatively rated 100W output.  The integrated itself (the Exaktbox i)  is below your max price, but the combination is above your max price, and includes a first-class streamer to boot.  In my case, this is used to drive two AV 5140 floor standers in "aktiv" mode, and the results are stunning.  Except as forced to do so by further technical advances, I do not intend to mess with this setup again for the rest of my life.  I have that "in love" feeling every time I switch this system on.

BAT VK300XSE. Very satisfied. Bought it used, original list was $6,495. Easy to contact the builder via email, Very helpful guy. Powering a pair of Odyessey Loreleis w/kismet upgrade. Full, detailed but not analytical, great presence.

While I don't own it, I believe the Pass-Labs Int-60 would be a terrific integrated amp.  I have the XP-22 preamp and had the 30.8 amp and both are superb powerful and detailed.  The Int-60 is also high biased in class-A.  A great single box solution if you don't have too inefficient speakers.  Pass is a long time well-respected name and their products are super reliable.  

Lux and Pass are both great I have Pass Labs myself leave them on 24/7 when I am home.

Are you sure you want an integrated amp?  For your budget you could put together a better performing system with individual amp and preamp.  Especially a quality tube preamp with class A solid state amp with no power tube short life or heat headaches.  

If you must go integrated I recently heard the new Luxman L 507Z and the sound paired with Harbeth 30XD speakers was very nice.  

see post 74.  

Lots of good ones out there.  Had a BAT Integrated VK-3500 before I went to separates.  I was very happy with it.  Those 6H30 tubes are magic.  I would look for a used one.  

So many great choices.  I'd recommend Modwright.    I have a Modwright KWI-200 in one system and its made a huge improvement from the Rogue Sphnix I had, though I loved the Rogue.    Perhaps the KWI-225.  Its a Hybrid amp, with a triode preamp section with 225 w/ch - the first 25w are class A.

Bryston B135 cubed integrated.  The cost for a new unit is less than 7K and it has a great warranty!  Extreme clarity and detail!  Highly recommended! 

Huge price range ? Like saying "I'm looking at a KIA Telluride for 50k or Porsche Cayenne S for 110k". I'd narrow your price range and then look within it.