Recommendations for modern integrated with tone & balance controls other than Mcintosh
The "purist" approach is no longer viable for me due to recent hearing loss, and I'd also like to simplify my tube separates which consist of preamp, power supply, and pair of mono amps. Budget up to 10K. But, of course, I also could just go with a Schiit Loki for $149 bux and keep feeding my tube gear. :) Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Late to the party, but if you decide to still look for an integrated I would also recommend giving Luxman a try. Either the L-590AXII if you prefer a Class A amp (30 watts 8 ohms, and doubles to 4 and again to 2 ohms, though that's a conservative rating) or the L-509x for class A/B (120 Watts 8 ohms, 220 4 ohms). In addition to tone controls that can be bypassed, Luxman has a very good internal MM/MC phono stage if you need that. I auditioned both before deciding to spend more on the new D'Agostino Progression Integrated, but found both very musical. Also for your situation, MusicDirect sells both of them with a generous return policy so that you can try them in your home without much risk (though be forewarned that they require quite a bit of break-in).
MusicDirect, of course, has other integrated amps (and separates) that you could also try. Crutchfield is another possible source with a generous return policy, though their offerings are more limited.
@bthartman & @builder3 Thank you. It's guys like you who make this place such a valuable resource. Since I've been using the same tube gear for so many years, I know virtually nothing about newer components, except for my excellent Wells Majestic integrated, which alas has neither tone nor balance controls.
Adding to the info that the Luxman L-590axii is a hybrid A, A/B, the L-509x is also a hybrid A, A/B with the first 6 watts biased for Class A, then A/B up to its rated output of 120W into 8 ohms.
I have kept my tube monoblocks and use a Yamaha AS1100 as a Pre Amp, which gives me balance, bass, and treble for low sound output. Also is useful with troubleshooting to have an additional power amp. Only thing with the Yamaha it only has one pre out so headphone use the plug in. With the tone controls set to Zero they are bypassed.
I have similar problems with my hearing as left ear has 25%loss due to a medical condition. Since this came on about 1 year ago, I have ended up using my backup Marantz PM8006 as my primary amp due to balance, 3 range tone controls and direct pass thru features. It is not on the quality level of a modern Luxman at $1000 but is much nicer than expected for the price. And, with the ability to go back and forth between direct and with tone controls I can compare sounds for every disc I listen to and also adjust bass, midrange and treble and balance. It has restored my enjoyment of music and reduced the depression I felt at losing both hearing and the ability to travel due to covid after retiring to enjoy both those very things. I still miss the warmth of my updated McIntosh MC250 but there is actually more detail with the Marantz so I feel like I am getting more of the music in a different way. I did hear the PM 14 and 15 when I got the 8006 and they were very nice and somewhat higher quality I just wasnt in the place to invest that much at that point. I think they too would fill your needs.
I do feel your pain, brother. At this point, I'm very thankful that I still can hear and enjoy music, period. Fortunately, the brain can perform wonderous compensations, and when I turn up the gain in the right channel mono preamp, the soundstage is much better. I also find that listening at somewhat lower volumes actually helps with most kinds of music except for large-scale orchestral works.
Thanks for your Marantz suggestion. I'll look into it. I've pretty much decided that if I keep my tube gear, I'll get a Schitt Loki. If I sell the tube gear, I'll be much more likely to invest in something like a suitable Luxman or Accuphase and be done with it.
Finally decided to sell the vintage tube separates. Done. A relief actually.
Luxman 550AXii due to arrive by mid-August 2022. Went through a couple of modern tube integrateds in the meantime. Both had/have their charms, but both purist design so essentially no cigar.
The Lux was a long wait but I'm pretty sure it will be worth it.
Please come back and let us know what you think of the Luxman. I just bought a 550AXII myself and am awaiting delivery...which should be close to August 22-25. I've been using a Willsenton R8 with various tubes over the last 3-4 months, but wanted to try Solid State. Dao
The 550AXii arrived this morning. First impression is how beautifully and carefully Luxman packed this component. Second impression is how beautifully made it is. Third impression is how good it sounds right out of the box.
Although, I'm not 20 years old anymore, (HAH!) I was able to open the boxes, extricate the amplifier from all other packing material, and carry it unscathed (both the amp and yours truly) to my audio rack. Regular yoga practice helps!
It's been playing for a mere 2.5 hours but I already am certain I made the right choice.
About 120 hours now and I’m starting to get a much better sense of how good this integrated amplifier really is. No, of course it’s not tubes, but it certainly has its own special charms. The phono stage is excellent, and my former passion for vinyl is now restored- I no longer am considering selling my Linn LP12.
Thank you Luxman. :)
I may be back with more after another 100 or so hours additional run-in time.
Good to hear you are happy with the Lux. I too was looking to upgrade and looking at Belles Aria Signature. However, 2022 stock and bond market declines have put that on the back burner as I am focused more on just maintaining our lifestyle. Never working anywhere long enough for a good pension has me managing assets for income. Luckily I always invested bonuses etc so we will ultimately be fine but my income plan crashed with the market as bonds and stocks both went down. I will have to live vicariously thru others like you for awhile. Enjoy your new amp.
Thank you sir. I wish you success in navigating the world of finance.
The more I use the Lux 550AXii the fonder I grow. I'm a visual and tactile person as well as as a "keen listener," and the Luxman delivers for me at every level. What a pleasure it is to select either an LP or something via streamer, sit back, and simply enjoy the music.
My suggestion is a Luxman 509. I compared it to a Boulder 866, Esoteric F1, Gryphon Diablo 300, Krell 300i, Accuphase 380, McIntosh MA12000. To my ears it was the best sounding of all the above integrateds. Find one and demo it.
Thank you for your comments. I purchased a LUX 550 AXii and am completely happy.
It’s one heckuva component and works beautifully when paired with either my Guarneri Homage or highly-modified Magneplanar MMG’s. I’ve never heard such excellent mid and high bass response from the small Maggies as I now do.
I have a pair of REL T5X waiting to be unboxed but for now, I’m just gonna listen to the system as is, with no bass augmentation. I’m quite astonished. I feel as if I’ve moved beyond "hi-fi" into simply listening to great music and not thinking about the usual audiophile stuff. And to think, I have all this with moderately priced components. At least "moderately" priced for many audiophiles.
Thank you very much. I should mention that two of the things I find so appealing about the Luxman, in addition to SQ, are the excellent build quality and retro aesthetics. The on-unit controls as well as the remote control are pure pleasure to operate. Perhaps some might say that I've developed an integrated amp fetish. :)
An update due to a recent successful experiment.
On a whim, I connected the Luxman 550-AX II preamp out to a Conrad Johnson 60 wpc EL34/KT77 tube amplifier. This resulted in excellent full-function synergy and is likely very similar to the Luxman LX-380 tube integrated but with more power. Happiness.
I spoke to Luxman and they seconded my opinion although they did suggest I consider the LX-380 with the caveat that the power of that amp might not be sufficient.
Since I already have the Connie J amp, I figured there was no reason to buy another component. Additional pluses are that I do have more gain using the Lux preamp section- not to mention the excellent phono stage, tone, balance, and loudness controls should I want to employ them. Which is what I was looking for initially.
For me the phrase "best of both worlds" applies. Another big plus is that the build quality of both the CJ and the Luxman is second to none.
Automated Digital room correction is the right tool to apply when a room just can’t cut it otherwise these days which is often true in more cases than not. Check out the new NAD 3050 for example.
In my large collection of vinyl there are many recordings that sound fine. There are many that do not. Likewise with my CDs and the music I stream. Hence my fondness for tone and other controls as well as an ongoing preference for tubes at least somewhere in my system.
I purchase a schitt LOki Max and I will tell you it works MUCH better than the tone controls on my Mac and Accuphase. I was a purist too, but the Max changed that. Instead of changing the sound it seems to change the characteristic of the speakers. The adjust are very subtle.The fact that is has a remote and presets don’t hurt either.
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