2. amps-preamps
  3. 134997-154

So many integrated options -- McIntosh 8900, Levinson 585, Lyngdorf 2170, Anthem STR,

just to name a few that I'm considering.  Here's my current situation and what I'm thinking.  I'm currently running a Denon AVR X5200, which is a top level AV receiver, but I use a very powerful Krell power amp, the FPB 400cx, to power the front L/R speakers.  It actually sounds decent, but for my two channel listening, I'm limited to the quality of the pre-amp section in the Denon.  Now, the 400cx is a class A amp, runs very hot, and weighs over 100 pounds.  So, I'm wondering if I can improve my overall sound quality by going with a high end integrated amp for my two channel listening.  I'd also be getting rid of one huge, heavy, and hot box and reducing the need for interconnect cables.

Now, all these units include a home theater bypass, so I could continue to use my Denon for my Blu-ray movies and TV watching, thereby preserving my multi-channel system.  I also use my Oppo 203 to play multi-channel SACD and DVD-Audio over HDMI into the Denon.  With one of these integrated amps, I could then connect my Oppo's digital output, my laptop pc, and my turntable, to the IA.  I would think the DAC and associated analog output stages, as well as the phono stage quality of the integrated amps would be superior to that of the Denon receiver.

As to my integrated amp options, I really like the functionality of the McIntosh 8900 in that it can truly serve as a "one box" solution because it includes a nice phono stage.  It also has the upgradeable DAC module, which has the potential to somewhat "future proof" it in case McIntosh releases an upgraded module.  200 wpc.

The ML No. 585 has the highest list price and has great reviews, although it's been out a few years.  It does not offer a modular DAC or phono input, although I could easily obtain a nice phono stage.  200wpc.

The Lyngdorf is currently very hot here on Agon and people are heaping praise on its sound quality.  Again, it has a DAC but no phono stage. Not as much power as the 8900, STR, or 585.

The Anthem STR Integrated is new and also includes MM and MC phono inputs.  200 wpc.  Includes Anthem Room Correction.

Any opinions or experience here with these options?  Thanks much.
mtrot

Showing 8 responses by uberwaltz

uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
I did not really dislike anything about the VK600SE at all.
I just wanted to consolidate down to one box if possible.
The BAT, like everything in my system just produced too much low energy bass but I know that was a result of my room.
So with the room correction software of the Lyngdorf I thought it might be the solution.
And so far it has proven to be the case, as I cannot change the room anytime soon for sure.
Possibly in a much better acoustic room I may not have looked at changing although I did still have the urge to consolidate equipment.
The BAT was a very fine piece of muscle for sure, just for my needs the Lyngdorf has worked out very well
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
I would have to agree with audiotroy here, the room correction should be very decisive unless you have already a perfect room.
Now for one year I actually had a Mac c48 driving BAT VK600SE.
I cannot imagine the c47 is sonically much different.
What can I say?
Typical Mac house sound, somewhat warm, inoffensive. 
Some like it, a lot of love for Mac here for sure.
It was not for me but again my room may have been the biggest issue.
The c48 was extremely versatile though, great setup options and the eq was useful but still no full room correction.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
@audiotroy 
Quite possibly I was a little effusive in my posts on the Lyngdorf.
However my take on the OPS thread was that he was looking for real life experience from actual owners. And as out of his group the Lyngdorf is the only one I have owned it was only right to comment solely on that.
I do not think he is looking for Google derived info from armchair test pilots.
For example I hear the Devialet units are highly regarded with great reviews but as I have no experience I offered no comment.

I appreciate your insight on other units that you do have experience of and hopefully that also helped the OP.

Respectfully......
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Just to further my love for the 2170, I do play a fair amount of analog(vinyl and cassette).
It still manages to convey that analog warmth and detail we love from a very well mastered analog source.
Don,t get me wrong their are some really bad vinyl recordings as well but when vinyl is good, well life is very good!
I use both digital and analog sources and love the sq of each one through the Lyngdorf.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
@david_ten 

Glad can help in any way.
I strongly believe one of the Lyngdorf main strengths is the RoomPerfect and its superb volume control.
I find the software and its ease of use to be a huge bonus.
Now that being said Lyngdorf has just released a new more powerful integrated, the 3400.
This has 200wpc, a built in media player and the ability to tailor the room perfect curve after it has been performed if you feel you need more or know better than Lyngdorf..lol.
No reviews out on that yet and at a $7k price tag it may pay to wait and see how it is received.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
@mtrot

Exactly my prior misgivings on room correction.
However after reading numerous actual owner reviews I took the plunge on the Lyngdorf.
My room is terrible acoustics wise and bass has always been an issue and after running the RoomPerfect and sat down for the first serious listening session I was a believer.

Prior to the Lyngdorf I used Hegel h300 and h160, these were no slouch at all but my room still gave me bass issues.
In my room and system the classe sigma was the least satisfying, on paper it sounded great, in reality it just did not gel for me. Maybe with wimpier speakers that were bass deficient it could be good. With my Wilson’s and 12 inch drivers bass was even more overblown that the Hegel.
Now I am a hardcore basshead, no doubt about it but it has to be defined, controlled bass not one note boom!
The Lyngdorf works on both digital and analog sources in my system extremely well.
Just my results in my system and my ears.
YMMV
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
@david_ten 

Not entirely sure I understand what you are looking for in that question?
And I do not wish to derail the ops thread at all.

What I meant was there have been lots of comments on other threads on digital or class d amplification leading to a sound that becomes prematurely fatiguing.

I think the Room Perfect software is a huge boon in ensuring this does not happen in my system. Tbh I cannot imagine playing music without it now. No more testing different cables as "tone controls" to tame the low end bass and other artifacts etc.

Not sure if that was the answer you were looking for though?
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
If op goes route of adding a preamp then he is adding yet another box and cables into the mix, not what he was looking to do I think.

Obviously I am biased but the Lyngdorf2170 is a formidable piece and it may well be among the last integrated I own.
I went from a BAT VK600SE power amp (300wpc) and Exogal Comet Plus DAC/pre to the Lyngdorf with a few other integrated inbetween.

I do not miss the additional watts at all.
The room perfect software more than makes up for it.
It has possibly the best digital front-end I have yet heard.
Yes no phono or headphone jack.
I use a dynavector p75 into one of the analog inputs for phono and take the digital output to a Burson headphone amp and I am as happy as I have ever been.

Is it fatiguing at all ?
Lets just say I probably played vinyl through it yesterday for at least 12 hours, nuff said.

I also tried a Classe Sigma 2200I, and a pair of Hegel amps, h300 and h160. The Lyngdorf beats them handily in the sq department in my system to my ears
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