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Need Some Help Choosing an Integrated Amp

Hi Folks:

My current system includes an ARC SP-16 and 150.2 amplification. I am considering moving in a different direction--going with a quality integrated amp and a separate, high quality phono stage to be fed by a new analogue rig. Right now I want to focus on replacing the ARC equipment with an integrated. I value build quality, tonal authenticity, good bottom end control and drive, PRat, and a three dimensional soundstage. Tubes are OK but I'm leaning toward solid state. Budget would be around $4k new or used. The amp will drive 97db efficient Daedalus DA-1.1's with an Esoteric X-03se as the source.

I'd like to end up with something that is as good or better than what I am using for electronics right now when running my digital front end. Any help or advice is appreciated. I've seen a few interesting products from Bryston, Ayre, Pass Labs and Sugden.
dodgealum

Showing 4 responses by philjolet

philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,306 posts
 
you may want to consider this:
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1217420351

btw I do not know this person... just a quality amp
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,306 posts
 
I second the MA2275 but if you want SS look into Lavardin
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,306 posts
 
It seems with those 97db speakers you could buy a 300B based SET like the Audio Note Meishu (I just bought one myself) and live happily ever after. This amp has a giant 3D soundstage, terrific slam (9 watts!) a seemingly endless amount of detail and is very neutral.

I would put it up against anything listed so far and expect it to come out on top (an unbiased POV) :^)

I know, I know, no remote

oh well...
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,306 posts
 
I drove a pair of JM Reynaud Trentes (88db) with a Audio Note Soro SE that has eighteen watts to very loud levels.

Numbers do not always tell the story, the Soro is a very robust eighteen watts and the JMR must have been an easy load because I could hardly tell the volume increase when I went to Audio Note kit 2 speakers (94db)
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