What integrated amp do you use, i picked up a Parasound Hint6 and totally fell in love. This thing is such a perfect all around performer, i was curious as to what other Integrated Amp people where using and why
jjss49- sure if you like clinical presentation that lacks warmth and rhythm go with the Devialet Pro 140 Expert, and by the way, the NAD M33 HAS a phono stage with both mm/mc, HAS configurability with two slots for new hardware AND is much easier to upgrade via Wi-Fi. SAM may work well for some speakers, but it is not a substitute for Dirac Live as most people’s room can do with various levels of correction AND personal customization. Did you really have an M33, seems to me you should have known about these features?
your lameness is speaking volumes - i bought a dealer demo m33 to hear its sound, through its amp section, THE prominent weakness in the prior series hypex m10 m22, which sounded downright poor... online shills were touting the m33 upon its release as the best thing since sliced bread, so i got one, as i do many other items, to hear for myself, how much have they improved the amp with the purifi’s? -- to me, if the fundamental amp section doesn’t sound right, all the other frills are worthless...
as such i had zero interest in its built in phono stage, nor its configurable inputs... my point in my earlier post is to say devialet units have all these features too, not that the m33 doesn’t
i won’t let this go because of your claim that the m33 ’has no equal’... is just plain-as-day b-s...just because you spent 5 grand on an m33 doesn’t make it the best out there, non-pareil, saying all others who have something else ’just can’t compare’ -- claiming so is ignorant and weak
i buy stuff, listen carefully, under my well controlled conditions, and call it as i see it -- i speak with my wallet and my actions, keep what i like, sell off what i don’t
i have no dog in this hunt... do you?
to me what the m33 is is a very decent (but short of great) sounding one box unit with plenty of power and lots of useful features, so it will have a happy user base who values that... there many other alternatives, numerous cheaper, and some others with superior overall sound
...and finally, if you think the devialet 120 or 140 has a clinical sound lacking warmth compared the m33, you are not only weak but deaf...
These are the two that I have at the moment. I am biased toward separates but the link and being able to mono-block and link the preamp stages of theCanor AI 1.10 and 1.20 intrigues me.
jjss49- the description of the sound on that Devialet came from a professional reviewer, and there’s more similar. I’ve found none that say that about the M 33, in fact a couple I read said the same as I did, best one box solution on the market. Stereophile product of the year for amplification 2020, I’ve not read one negative review regarding its sound or feature set. YOU may not of liked it’s uncolored, powerful (2 ohm stable) and distortion free sound, but many more do. Even to my old ears it sounds great, but I certainly trust the pro’s way more. You’re certainly entitled to your opinion of the sound using your own pre-amp, but the “frills” (most call them features) are absolutely to be considered, as I was talking one box solution. One reviewer called it “revolutionary,” another, “game-changer.” But hey, what do they know, they’re just “shills,” right…
someday i'd like to try the sugden a21 se, the belles aria, and the croft integrateds. i'm also interested in the moonriver that looks like a sansui i once loved, and then lost...
i'm digging this thread a lot, lots of stuff in here i've never heard of and i'm having fun googling it all.
as far as the m33 it looks like exactly the type of thing i'd buy for some of my "love music, don't care about equipment" friends if i had that kind of cash. like i said..maybe someday...
Integrated: for me, remote volume, mute, and I wish it had remote balance from my listening spot.
You are so right!!!!! 2 points to your house.
I’ve been doing design on an integrated with full remote for (a long time, going on 2 1/2 years but i digress...) and while i find all the remote features addictive and near impossible to give up, the ability to tune the balance - and therefore the off-center image jumped out at me as both convenience and critical sonically. In my downstairs (aka open living area, not reference) system there is no sweet seat. All listening positions are compromised but its a great gathering area and I read and listen a lot. Flopped in an easy chair. Significantly off center. The ability to go "click click click, that’s it!) is pretty great.
The problem is that so many solutions compromise sound - and the venerable conductive POT is well among those (think about what’s happening with a carbon strip or plastic with graphite/carbon impregnated, and a wiper - its not pretty). "digital" volume as done in Linux, MacOS/iOS, Sonos, and Windoze is maybe worse, with bit depths plummeting to ~ 11 with heavy attenuation (yep, do the math).
While the prototypes are for testing and then evaluation by "people who matter" (e.g.; not for me), I’m on withdrawal so building units for me.....PITA but worth it) I’m amazed at the units that cost $10k and up that have no balance. I understand why (cost, complexity, power - i faced them all) but one just has to bite the bullet and do it right.
SimAudio 700i V2 Integrated amp. My SimAudio amplifier has excellent sound quality, solid construction and SimAudio has great customer service.
The 700i V2 amp has an oversized dual-mono power supply. The 700i V2 amplifier has its own dedicated power supply for the preamplifier and features a considerably larger power transformer with greater reserve capacity.
Audio Hungary Qualiton X200 in my main system. Game Room Raven Audio Blackhawk 3.1 Office Vincent Audio SV200 Hybrid. Pool/Deck NAD 3045. Shop NAD 3020.
Just purchased a Yamaha A-S1200 integrated amp. Was using my Sansui G-871 DB receiver but the two phono circuit developed a hum. Looking to give it a full restoration at some point in time. It’s been with me since 1980...
Omg, i forgot about my Sansui i picked up at a pawn shop around 1986 while at ft benning Ga, the pawn shop was on victory dr Ha! it was pretty sweet, as soon as i saw Sansui, i was like….. whaaaaaat i havent heard that name in quite some time
Luxman 550ax2 20watt class a more than enough for my tannoys.... Effortless tireless musical greatness... Wonder sometimes if 590s 30 watt would open stuff more but spending the money on music instead.
McIntosh MA-9000, soon to be the MA-12000 (on order). I heard a few others on this thread and the Sim Audio Moon 700i was nearly in my home. Instead, I went with the features of the Mc, along with the equally, if not more pleasing sound to my ear. I'm a sucker for the esthetics as well. I grew up with meters on every component and love them. Lastly, there is something to be said for resale value if I ever take another path. My money, my ears and I couldn't be happier.
The Sugden Signature A21se pure class A, and a Marantz reference Pm14s-1. I love them both for different reasons and will most likely never part with either of them.
lmao -- well at least one of us had no dog in the fight... 🙄🙄🙄
let this be noted by other ’innocents’ coming to a forum like this for advice
you come here, post a question, then advice and recommendations coming back at you often are not what they seem to be on the surface, ulterior motives abound
always take note of who is answering, check their listings for sale, whether they are a dealer and not saying so, check their username 'details'... read other posts by the user before you act on what they are saying
+1 @jjss49 -- you caught on to the silly "M33 has no equal at any price point" BS early on, and I’m glad you did’t let it go without a challenge. Now we know the ulterior motive! Lol!
Hegel H390, upgraded from the H360 a year ago for the Roon Ready feature. Still not Roon ready. Tighter/clearer all the way across. Feels slightly more extended but I bet thats just the extra grip the H390 has on the signal. The H360 is really nice to listen to, tho, and likely is a great bargain for someone to pick up used. Really low noise floor, clear and clean sounding without being sterile, pleanty of extension on both ends. Synergistic Research power conditioner, Sopra 2 speakers
Pass Labs INT 250. LOVE it! Best sounding amp for my application out of 7 different high end amps that I auditioned. The other amps were, Simaudio 340i, Naim Supernait 3, Pass Labs INT 60, Diablo 300, Luxman 509X, VAC 170i (integrated tube amp), and Hegel 590. They ALL sounded stellar. I’d have been thrilled with any of the ones I tried. But, for me, the INT 250 had everything I wanted and nothing I didn’t. Beautiful sounding amp. Sublime with my Harbeth Super HL 5+ 40th Anniversary speakers and dual power MSB Discrete DAC.
I think we're in a golden age for integrated amps. A lot of great ones already mentioned. I'm in love with my Boulder 866, which also has an incredible digital add-on that will allow you to sell your DAC. I was a separates guy for years, but the simplicity and all-around excellence of the Boulder put an end to that. It's just astonishing.
The last 14 months a Douk Audio 15wpc.Class A amp based on the Sugden A21 but I am getting ready to get either the Sugden A21SE or the Pathos InPol Remix MkII to drive my Harbeth M30.1's & ProAc Tablette Anniversaries...
Decware SE34I.5. Granted you need some highly efficient speakers with 6 watts/channel. Love what an EL-34 tube can do regardless. Something about what has been done with a pentode tube ran as a triode is magical. Hands down, the most musical set up I have ever listened to.
Cambridge Audio Azure 840a is an unbelievably good integrated amp. I’ve had mine for years and it’s been both reliable and extremely competent, holding its own against many more expensive components which have come and gone. It’s in my bedroom system driving Dali Mentors and sounds great. It does run hot though.
Add a miniDSP 2x4HD and its a full featured package. EQ, DAC, Remote input switching between the analog source selected on the B60 and the digital inputs.
I have a Simaudio 600i in one system and an Audio Research Vsi55 in another. The ARC is used in my office and helps keep me warm in the winter. All kidding aside, it's a really great sounding integrated and I don't need a lot of power in that space. I currently have my Harbeth Super HL5 Plus in the office and the Vsi55 has no problem driving them when I get the opportunity to turn up the volume. The 600i is very dynamic and detailed and mates up great with my Harbeth P3ESR speakers. It's a nearfield system in my computer room and sounds fantastic. In the right space, this would make a wonderful main system. Actually, I enjoy it as much or more as my main system, it's a little more detailed, but warm and easy to listen to.
besides my sphinx i also use a NAD 316 upstairs with some old dynaco speakers (another technics 1200, a lower end nakamkchi and a little ifi bluetooth receiver as sources). this is the system my wife & kids use every day. i usually have it on for an hour or two myself after work while i do chores, cook dinner etc. very sweet sound, this system is obviously not the last word in resolution or dynamics but the amp, especially, is stupid cheap for what you get, and if i find some sticky fingerprints on it from time to time that's just part of the fun
Bought a Technics SUG700 here a year or so ago. The amp is beautiful both in looks, and sound or lack thereof, zero noise I mean dead silent running. The amp is very good but the companies Panasonic and it’s subsidiary Technics totally suck when it comes to service! While I did not need any I wanted to find out more about the amp’s capabilities not listed in the manual. The thing is you cannot get thru to anyone in either company, email addresses in the manual don’t work or you get a recording sending you to an email that does not work. So failing to get thru to Technics I called the parent company and had the same results. Though I was able to leave a message on one email address but never got a response. Because of this total lack of support, I would avoid anything to do with either operation’s product line regardless of how well made. Highly unrecommended.
Main system - Switch between Line Magnetic 518IA (845 output tubes) and a Finale Audio 7189 MK2 (7189A/EL84M output tubes). (Also have Modwright separates in this system which I switch to)
2nd System - Ayon Audio Spirit 2 (KT88 output tubes)
When I first got into integrated amps I had a couple of SS ones, a Portal Panche and a Plinius 8200; then when I decided to give tubes a try I had a Quest for Sound, a Consonance and a Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum
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