2. amps-preamps
  3. 192404-111267

Retirement integrated amp for a “fiscal conservative”

I’ve taken the plunge and am now enjoying the 2nd week of retirement after 44 years of work, including 42 years with the company I just retired from.  
 

One of the retirement goals I’m really looking forward to is spending much more time enjoying music with my main system!

I’ve pretty much gone digital (but do have a Linn Sondek LP12 to enjoy LPs purchased in the 60’s - 80’s). 

My system consists of a Rose 150B streamer/DAC and a Primaluna CD player for digital playback. I use a Roon Nucleus for Roon/Tidal new music research and listening. Speakers are original Joseph Audio Perspectives. 
 

I enjoy all types of music, but mostly listen to jazz (preferably smooth but am exploring all of the various forms of jazz). 
 

I’m currently using a Primaluna Dialogue HP Premium integrated amp which I’ve enjoyed for many years. Here’s where the “fiscal conservative” part comes in; this amp has 8 power tubes. Even with Primaluna’s great low tube stress design concept, I’m not looking forward to replacing power tubes every couple years with my retirement bonus listening time. Also, I’d like to get additional damping factor bass control than my current amp provides. I love the tube midrange and treble range sound, but would like an upright bass to sound more like a wood instrument (hard to describe in words) and hear more natural note attack and decay
 

I’d like to get ideas/advice from A’gon music enjoyment experts on a replacement integrated that still provides the acoustic sound of tubes, but doesn’t require new tubes every couple years/2,000 hours and is a great match to enjoy jazz on the rest of my system which I plan to keep. I’m open to used or new with a cap of say $8,000. 
 

Thank you in advance for your thoughts and suggestions. 
 

Eric

ezstreams
mm1tt77
166 posts
 

@ezstreams I had the PrimaLuna Evo 400 integrated and at the same time had the Coda CsIB, Krell 300i and a Krell 300xd amp that I paired with various Pre’s.  Owned the Primaluna and Coda and had the Krell for about a week.  Gave me ample time to compare.  Primaluna is built like a tank, was a great Integrated, in my experience living with it, didn’t have the traditional tube sound, in some ways sounded more SS than the Coda and for sure the Krell. 

If you are looking for a tube like sound with SS oomph it’s really tough to beat the Krell 300i.  Out of all the Integrated units I’ve been lucky enough to try in my system, Krell was my favorite.  Coda was also outstanding, the sound signature was a bit different with the Krell sounding a bit more musical to me.  If you are looking to capture some “tube” like magic but with the ability to control, drive speakers and bass associated with SS, Krell would be tops on my list.  Pass, Boulder, Hegel all make fantastic Integrated units as well.  Coda, in my opinion is one of the most underrated HiFi companies out there, the design / build quality and parts used is off the charts when compared to other much more expensive gear from some other manufactures.  A hybrid also a great option.  When I want some tube magic I drop in a Tube Pre to pair with my Amp and it yields a great balance of tube magic with the pluses of SS amplification.

Congratulations on retirement!!  Good Luck on the search / hunt for a new integrated. 
 

 

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,805 posts
 

the best integrated amplifiers we have ever had coda csib and the norma revo 140

we sell many integrated amplifiers from naim, krell, coda, synthesis atoll, unison, esoteric and many others.

 

Dave and Troy,

audio intellect NJ

tomstruck's avatar
tomstruck
352 posts
 

First of all congratulations on retiring did it two years ago myself And enjoying every minute of it

Like some other posters have said hybrid is a good way to go. I have aesthetix Gear myself which is hybrid my preamp is the Pallini and The amp is the atlas great sounding gear. Jim White is an awesome designer. Their integrated amp is called the Mimus And it’s hybrid and you can get it with DACor Photo stages and is in your budget

 

when I retired, I thought I’d be listening to a lot of music myself. I moved from New Jersey to North Carolina. The weather down here is beautiful so we spend most of our time outside. Don’t listen to my stereo as much as I thought I was going to.

Enjoy your retirement and you’re listening. Hope this helps.

wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
1,034 posts
 

I also just retired....When I got up this morning I had nothing to do and when I went to bed I only had got a quarter of it done.

I have been using this amp hard for over four years and have not replaced a tube. (a phone call and you could buy this in your price range..hint hint) I wouldn't worry about replacing tubes. Most tubes are not expensive landing in the $50-$100 range.

An Accuphase new or used is another fine choice. 

 

 

grislybutter
3,105 posts
 

@tomaswv 

Nritish = British?

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