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Seeking a "high end" integrated amplifier

All,

I have gone totally 2 channel and am replacing my multichannel EAD PM2K amp and EAD Signature with an integrated stereo amplifier. I'd love to stay under $5000 (used) but could be convinced to go more if there is really good reason. Though not as high as the 4 box ASR!

I listen to all kinds of music from jazz to classical to rock (from Miles to Billie H., from Bach to Stravinsky, from Van Morrison & Steely Dan to female vocals like Anna Nalick) but typically don't play at too loud a volume.

My speakers are the Amati Homage, the CD player is the Electrocompaniet ECD1 UP and I'm currently using a Goldmund integrated now that I've taken the EAD out of the picture. I like the Goldmund quite a bit but I'm using it currently after moving it from my second system and need a new one anyway. I am tempted by, for example, the Rowland Continuum but am completely open to input.

I don't know all that much about integrated amps and have read many of the posts about integrated amps. So I have looked at the lengthy list. What I was looking for help was with as SPECIFIC as possible recommendations given the rest of my equipment and musical taste.

Thanks in advance!
seldon

Showing 2 responses by lloydelee21

lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
Hi Seldon,

For your budget, there are some great options. CJ CA200...I have heard the 350amp and it was a musical amp (not quite the purity of tone of a good tube) but good. Depends on your front-end and your own ears.

If you are persistent, Gryphon have some pretty incredible integrateds that you might in your range. I currently run my strads with the Gryphon Antileon and am very pleased. It replaced a CJ tube amp which was a wonderful amp for 9 years. The gryphon just bettered its purity of tone and added an unbelievable level of dynamics and power, the true limit of which, I have not yet found. Hope this helps. Good luck and enjoy the search!
lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
I concur with the positive feedback on Vitus. I know very, very experienced people whose ears i trust and can calibrate to my own having shared listening and auditioning sessions with them. Vitus is one pretty incredible amp. Built like a supertank with off the charts specs and (owning a Gryphon myself, another Danish design), i am confident based on my friends opinion of Vitus it is a pretty incredible sound.

I own the SF strads and have a Zanden DAC, so our sounds are probably fairly similar in that respect, having heard the Electrocompaniet which is an excellent and natural player. congrats...must be incredible sound! enjoy!
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