What Integrated Amp do You use

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.

G

Even to my old  ears it sounds great, but I certainly trust the pro’s way more.

 One reviewer called it “revolutionary,” another, “game-changer.” But hey, what do they know, they’re just “shills,” right…

i rest my case... 🥱🥱🥱

I've been using a GATO AMP-150 for several months (it replaced a Hegel h160). A very nice, transparent amplifier.

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...

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…

AVM Evolution A5,2
Canor AI 1.10

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.  

@anotherbob

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...

Decware Mini Torii
Grommes PHI-26
love them both

Love seeing what others use / prefer. I've had the McIntosh MA352 (2 channel hybrid) for over a year and have been completely delighted.

Perhaps not important to many but I prefer XLR balanced connections which limits the options of most others noted. 

Happy hunting and listening! 

+1 RickAllen for LTA Ulralinear. Drives PureAudioProject Quintets with ease, ultra long tube life, no noisey transformer and therfore light weight. Appears to share the virtues of SS and valves. For those that need it, has HT pass thru. 

Luxman L-509x

+1 on the Sugden A21SE.  I also noticed there is a Belles Aria on A'gon for $2200 and I can vouch for both.  Excellent integrated amps!

Creek EVO 50 V2. Love this Integrated.

Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum w/KT120 output tubes.

Denon PMA-S10II.

Mcintosh MHA100, oddly I haven't used the headphone out not once. This Mc mini amazes me every time I listen to it. Recently saw a youtube video stating they couldn't pick it out in blind testing against an EVO 400 int. I was floored to hear that but shouldn't be cuz this baby int never makes me miss tubes or class A. This ones a keeper. 

Millercarbon....congrats on the Blackhawk. You've been espousing it for quite some time and I'm sure you'll let everyone know how that works out. Best of luck with it. 

danger: The SE84UFO is on my bucket list and I will own one at some point. With Decware's lead-time I should just order one now and hope I don't die before it comes lol. Has anyone compared this to the newer SE84UFO25?

 

Primaluna Evo 400

The dam thing seems to make everything sound good. I trust it. Well made. Good quality. I don't have any upgrade-itis about it so I can concentrate on other things. 

(I see there's some other primaluna recommendations in this thread. I would have bought a lower power model but needed it for magnepans at the time.  Driving IMF RSPM Mark IV currently.)

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?

Don't like em'. The Direct path on my preamp, comes in, goes through the volume control and nothing else.
Save up get a preamp.

Exposure 1010, entry-level model.   At least it was, not sure why Exposure decided to discontinue this little gem of an amp though no doubt have their reasons. 

I have a Naim Nait XS2. Beautiful midrange. Expressive top end. Lots of PRAT. 

Sugden A21SE, Pure Class A with 30w that somehow sound like 130w! My last amp. 

Cary SLI-80 with all vintage tubes. Good cables are a MUST. Sounds good (dynamic and reasonably neutral) with a ProJect DS2 Tube Box phono preamp. 

Marantz PM11S2

AYRE AX-5. A superb integrated amp to my ears.

Happy Listening!

I’m using the Anthem STR integrated. I think it is a great piece. Lots of functionality and over all very good Amp. I use it with PS audio DS Dac and Focal Sopra 3s. Also the built in room correction has helped me integrate my new Rel carbon limited subs seamlessly. 
@imnop, I am using the STR with QED power cable. Don’t know how your Amp has a fixed power cord. Please recheck at your end, I’m sure it is detachable. 

LFD  LE VI integrated, hand built by the designer in UK. Somewhat of a rare beast, but sweet sounding.

hey - whatever lets you sleep well at night bob!

you posted the hard-sell, outlandish claim ’none comes close’ - to that, i say, simply not true, many come close (the op’s hint6 for example), and a number in fact exceed, in sound quality (a devialet, for one -- integrated one box solution with dac, AND phono stage, AND SAM, and configurability, or a hegel h190/390/590)

in my original reply to you, i stated clearly the nad is full of features, good on that, and it sounds pretty good -- for 5 grand it should, but for those who prioritize sound quality foremost, it can absolutely be bettered

you can then say, well the nad has dirac, it solves room issues (if done right) -- indeed, if room problems plague a system that cannot otherwise be solved by setup and room treatments, i might agree - but for me, i have no use for dirac, my room works, so i exited the m33 after 6 weeks, kept other integrateds that make music sound better to my ears

jjss49- so let me get this right, you’re saying you used separate DACs from what came on the integrateds?  The correct test would be speaker wires directly from the integrateds to the speakers without anything else in the chain.  Oh, but wait, those integrateds didn’t have built in DACS?  Well sure if you want to spend much more money you could get marginally better results, I should have stipulated a one box solution, my bad.  Good luck getting better for $5k.

i use the rogue sphinx v3. i tested out a couple others and it was the one i preferred with my speakers. i dig its power, its simplicity, and i think it looks cool. my only regret with it is i wish i bought the black one instead. also have a NAD bee in the upstairs system and same deal - simple, not a lot of bells and whistles, very affordable, and does exactly what i need it to

amazing what the ole TO-3 case Motorola can do in an ancient NAD 3020 a…..

++++ for the Aesthetix Mimas, i have dialed in 3 systems lately with that integrated, one w DAC, one phono, and another sans cards…all great sound….

@anotherbob

not sure what specifically your question ’which is better?’ is referring to...

but when i had the m33, iirc, the chain was

wtl amadeus --> dyna xx2 --> ayre p5xe --> INTEGRATED A v B v C ---> three speakers

1. proac d30rs
2. spatial m3 sapphire
3. harbeth shl5+ (briefly)

compared m33 (no dirac, straight int amp mode) against hegel h390, devialet (with sam on the harbeths), primare i30, sony ta 1es

also used digital streaming front end - blue node 2i dig out to denafrips pontus or audio mirror tubador

jjss49- ok, what are you using now to compare with the NAD M33, your system page is chock full of system components, none of which you can be using at the same time, so which is better?

The Kinki Studio EX-M1+ Integrated Amp that I reviewed for Dagogo.com has the unusual capacity to allow for rolling opamps. I have used various combinations of Sonic Imagery, Sparkos Lab, and Burson in it. I am reviewing a fourth brand now and have been contacted by a fifth brand to asses their product.

It’s special when you know you can tailor the integrated to any speaker genre/model you wish by rolling opamps. Combine that with power cord options and the permutations are very powerful as a tool to optimize systems.

I currently have the rare King Sound King Tower omnidirectional speakers playing. When I first acquired them years ago, they sounded OK, but not spectacular. Now, with improved models of opamps in the EE Minimax Tube DAC Supreme and the EX-M1+, the King Tower speakers sound superb. I am very happy I kept them.

To date the EX-M1+ is the only integrated I know that allows for such discrete opamp rolling. I consider discrete opamp rolling to be a higher order of tuning than tube rolling.

Also, though it does not allow for opamp rolling, the Red Gum Audio Articulata Integrated Amplifier is a wonder with less efficient speakers. It is an unusual design, but has unusual capacity to drive loads better than most of the stereo and mono amps I have reviewed. It would be worth a close look by those having 2 Ohm speakers, who thought no integrated could handle them. I am quite impressed by how it drives the King Sound King III electrostatic speakers. 

Primaluna EVO 100.  Great little amp!

Yes, pick up the NAD M33 and all your wants will be happily satisfied! Nothing comes close…

respectfully disagree -- the m33 sound pretty good, and is much improved over the prior gen nad m series amps, which were downright poor (grey, lean sound) but ALL of the integrateds on my list below are superior in sq to the m33, used within their power envelopes

m33 has tremendous features for sure, dirac, onboard dac etc etc... but the sq of its amplifier stage is inferior imo

(feel free to see my system page for speakers and associated gear)

Esoteric F03.  30 watts class a more than enough to power Fyne speakers.  Looking forward to using the phono section and can also dry breakfast after 39 minutes 

Nobody has picked the best overall audiophile solution for streaming, Bluetooth AptX HD (both ways), vinyl (who uses such a noisy source anymore?), HDMI ARC input, balanced and optical input, PLUS two slots for future hardware upgrades!  200 watts (4 & 8 ohms, 2 ohm stable) Purifi Eigentact amplification with nearly immeasurable THD!  Outstanding reviews and Stereophile amplification product of the year 2020.  Yes, pick up the NAD M33 and all your wants will be happily satisfied!  Nothing comes close…

I use an accuphase integrated because of the clarity of sound it provides on a good vintage speaker especially an electrovoice.

Linear Tube Audio Ultralinear. 
For my sensitive 95db Spatial Audio M3 Triode Master open baffle, they won’t need a lot of watts but the pairing is awesome. Compared to my previous Primaluna Dialogue Premium Integrated, the LTA sounds like it had a gigantic heavy curtain lifted off the sound. More and higher quality bass, textural midrange, and crystal clear and open treble. For smaller rooms, it’ll handle speakers down to 85 db sensitivity.  The 20 watts it puts out are something else. Highly recommended to trial it at home. 

Rogue Sphinx.

In the days of my youth, I made my girlfriend buy a McIntosh MA6100 for her apartment. 
30+ years later, and now hitched to her (Chief and Brains Of The Outfit,) that Mac is still in my second system, still pleasing me with its sound and classically handsome looks. 

I bought a pair of Rockport Atria speakers thinking that my Krell 5 ch amplifier could drive it (newbie error) and so my search started. Initially I got the Octave V80 SE int amp with the super black box. The manufacturer told me that the Octaves could drive anything, especially with the SBBs. Not true - every-time I cranked the volume, the amp would shut off. Then I moved on to the Gryphon Diablo 300 and it pairs very well with the Atria’s. Extremely satisfied - probably one of the more powerful ss integrated amps available.  

I use the very underrated Coda CSIB integrated amp just bought 
3 months ago with VH Audio Adam capacitors
in the preamp section.
for $7 k there is no Integrated out there that that offers so much 
most integrated amps have a 750 va or smaller power transformer 
the Coda 3,000 Va and it’s potted for lowest noise over
80k in capacitance a pure class A preamplifier section 
40 matched  Bipolar transistors on the output and mosfet,fet on the inputs, and a Zburr Brown 100 step electronic volume attenuator ,not a cheap Alps pot that really degrades the sonics but is still used by many mfg  because they are low cost .
Coda made in U.S.A  10 year warranty , great current review in Stereo times and 2020 best of , 3 choices for power output 
I have the lowest in power but highest in pure class A 18 wpc 
150,300,600 wpc .

Raven Nighthawk Mk 3. Everything I wanted and nothing I don't. Glad to see you went for the Blackhawk MC. Looking forward to your assessment and comments.

Aesthetix Mimas. The best integrated amplifier I have ever heard. It has the option of adding an internal DAC and a phono stage. I upgraded from an Ayre AX-7e and almost bought the newer Ayre EX-8 but the Mimas hit all of my listening priorities better. 

I had a Parasound Halo Integrated for 2 years and moved on to a McIntosh MA6600 integrated amp 4 years ago. It’s my last integrated.  

I was quite happy with my vintage mono tube amps, but wanted to try something ’new’, that had it’s own remote volume for source > amp and pass thru for any source with it’s own volume control.

My choices were limited by needing 16 ohm taps. I researched, took a chance on Cayin A88T, (only it’s mk1 version has 16 ohm taps).

This article convinced me to try it, certainly glad I did, it is dead quiet except the beautiful music it amplifies. I wish it had external bias controls. mk2,3 have that.

https://6moons.com/audioreviews/cayin/a88t.html

Integrated: for me, remote volume, mute, and I wish it had remote balance from my listening spot. remote input is dumb IMO. I’d rather have a smaller remote fit my hand better. And, if no sound degradation, like my mother's new TV,  radio frequency remote, so I didn't have to aim the infrared beam, that would allow more placement options.

I almost forgot, many years ago i had a musical fidelity B-1, a pair of spica tc-50’s and a vandersteen W2 sub. It was great sounding