???What's The LEAST Expensive "End Game"Amplifier You've Ever Heard???

+1 on the Synthesis integrated amps, the A40 or A100.

I've had a ton of amps, both integrateds and separates, and the Synthesis has ended my in interest in finding anything "better." The onboard DAC is also very capable, although I will admit that my Lampizator Horizon is on another level, as it should be given the discrepancy in price. Together, they are just incredible.

Hegel H369/390 if paired with Harbeth.

Aesthetix Mimas for full range, its optional DAC and phono cards are sonically fantastic high value for an integrated.  

The Parasound A23 is certainly not an end-game amplifier. None of us likely have enough exposure or information to confidently declare any piece of equipment as truly "end-game." However, I've owned the A23 for years and have never considered switching, even though I've retired my DAC six times.

A few I’m really happy with:  Moonriver 404R, Sugden A21 SE, Naim Nait 50.

Mark Levinson 23.5. Still sounds better than many amps costing lot more. Another dark horse is Audio Research 100.2. Both amps are musical without causing listening fatigue. Can sit and listen for hours. Got plenty of power too.

@lewkor +1

I am also very happy with my Simaudio Moon 340i. I recommend it with one caveat: the volume control is not fine enough for my taste when using a fixed 2.0V source. The problem goes away when I use the 340i in conjunction with a DAC that has its own volume control.

One that comes to mind if you like tubes is the EL84 Integrated that Synthesis Audio in Italy makes.   I have too much gear and a number of Amps costing between 8-10k but everytime I put either the older version Nimis EL84 in or the new one he came out with my first thoughts were why do I pay what I pay for Amps when this thing is this good!   Also,  very hard to go wrong with a well made EL84 Integrated:)

+1 @soix

I agree — it is hard to go wrong with any rebuilt McCormack DNA-series amp. I’ve had mine for several years, and it’s as close to an “endgame“ amp as I would ever expect to find. Quality build, great value, and wonderfully musical.

I can happily live with my Ayon Spirit III for the rest of my days.

The new Sprit V can use KT-170 power tubes vs the KT-150s of the Spirit III.

I have no desire to change my amp.

tave5,

I agree, the old Nimis is a terrific sounding tube amp--dense sounding but still lively and clear.  It is a lot of fun to listen to that amp.  There current Roma 96 amps, which run EL34s also sound very good and remain a screaming bargain.  They use to make a tiny 6L6 amp that I liked a lot too.  My only concern with the smaller Synthesis amps is heat build up under the chassis--they need to be well ventilated to reduce heat; I've seen a few of their amps that needed service because certain components inside the chassis got cooked.

As I mentioned above, I own two tube amps that are very expensive.  One costs close to six figures, the other one is probably worth about $45k.  While I don't think any Synthesis amp beats them out, I would not be that upset if I had to replace them with a Synthesis A40--this amp is worthy of any system needing only 40 watts at peak.  

If you can get your hands on one of the 100 limited-production VPI 2990D Integrated Amps, go for it!!!
A full Tube Integrated Amplifier that really sings. They came up for sale less often than before and they will be everywhere between $2,400 and $3,200. It is built in the USA with mostly USA-made parts and has a very decent flexibility for rolling different tubes which can really tweak the sound of your music.
This may be true of all Tube Amps, but speaking for this one, it will be your endgame Integrated Amp with tube rolling (sound tweak) options!
The only caveat I have is that the MM Phono Preamp seems to be solid state, and although it has really great sound some unites have a subtle hum that can get in the middle of the listening experience... Nothing that would deter me from buying it again.
Good luck with the search and, please report back on your decision and experience with it.

I have been very pleased with Accuphase and consider it to be my ed game SS Preamp and Class A amp. The integrated are also excellent. I would look at something which fits your budget, definitely used, these are built like tanks.

Audio Research Reference 160.

On the Integrated side I would have to say my Ayon Triton. It’s fully tubed on the pre and amp side. I think the retail when it was new was around 10k, however I purchased it used for around 3k 2 years ago. 
 

It has so much detail and clarity I could not imagine replacing it. Plus it’s the sexiest looking amp ever! 

Coda S5.5

As far Integrated goes, I was very impressed by Margules I-240 when I heard the demo at AXPONA 2024. Class A - 25wpc, with some NOS 12AU7 tubes, it has a potential of very nice intimate sound; worthy consideration for any midsize room.

Yamaha A-S2100. Noise floor and resolution exceeds the ability of many separates systems, produces best bass extension I’ve experienced from ANY amp, and has enough power/current to drive most speakers. It manages the sonic strengths of tubes better than many tube amps.

Doesn’t have the brand cachet of Luxman or Accuphase but I would put my bets on it against those and similar brands all day. 

I bought a used Yamaha CA-800 in Japan last year for $300 US. From what I’ve read it seems to be a tough one to knock off any block. While I lust after some $10000 options I don’t think they’d ever sound better given my small room set up. 

Plinius, Hautonga for newer gear but, I could seriously call it quits with a vintage Sansui, AU-9500. It does everything right.

On this forum budget is my max. So the best bang for the sound, money for me was the Primaluna. I compared it to an integrated 3X the cost. 

I liked the accuracy with instrumental music. Crisp reed vibration from strings, could here the majesty of the tuba, clear, low,  the reed being bit down on for a tight high on the sax. The other integrated missed it. I was fortunate it matched my speakers perfectly. I hope you find the right one for you. 

This may not be my actual end game amp, but I certainly wouldn’t be disappointed if it were: Octave v110SE with KT150s and the Super Black Box cap bank. About £11k in the UK and it comprehensively saw off my Mark Levinsons. 

This is an interesting conversation. 
There’s not as much overlap here as I expected they would be… That is to say there is a high degree of variation.

The best integrated amp I have heard to date is the ECI 6D from electrocompaniet.

”End game” is a bummer.  What fun is left when the game is over?  Gotta play the game!!!🎯

Shohei Ohtani”s end game is quite a bit different than mine.  I’d be lucky to bat .200  with maybe one or two dingers. Plus my fastball ain’t what it used to be. 👴

I’ll second the Krell Evolution 402e. I’m currently using the 302e in my main system. Forgot anything you think you know about how a Krell amp sounds as they sound nothing like the former models that I’ve owned. These amps , in my system, could definitely be end game. They will also drive anything you can throw at them, doubling their rated power down to 2 ohms. Just make sure that it’s an “e” model. I’ve read that the non e wasn’t as good 

Simple. Buckeye Purifi amps. $1125. End game.

https://www.buckeyeamp.com/shop/amplifiers/purifi/1et6525sa/2_channel

bump

Krell FPB 200, though like most class A gear, it will also heat your house during winter. It will go into thermal shut down int the summer. 

PureAudio ONE - Class A Integrated Amp 😃

For me it is Audio Research REF 75. Have it for about 6 years.

KT120 tubes have been replaced. Never looked back. 

Nice lush, well defined sound. Sufficient power.

Ayre Acoustics AX-5 Twenty.  Warm tube-like, detailed & excellent at low volume.

For me it's the Schiit Ragnarok 2 I currently own. I don't think I can afford to go up one level it might be MY end-game.

It does sound very good and gives a glimpse of real high-end amps. Upgrading would require me to upgrade the speakers also, probably looking äta combined cost of $10k or so.

After 50+ years of using tube amps, my end game at lowest (not just cheapest but best for money) are the Westminster Labs REI monoblocks for $33,900.  Compare to Vitus, Boulder, Griffin, CH Precision, etc.  Small, powerful, shortest paths with fewest parts, Class A and much less expensive than competition.  End game amps.

Hmm. If fewer parts =better sound then why are some of these amps so darn expensive?

Just get rid of the spam parts and lower the price! Problem solved!

I’m only half kidding. Not all parts are created equal.
 

When people say “better sound” all it means is better to them. Lots of good sounding fish in the sea at all price points. Mainly you need an amp capable of driving the speakers to their max. Beyond that a lot simply comes down to personal preferences.

I have several amps and even more speakers in various rooms. Objectively I know which performs best overall. But subjectively, they each sound really good but different and I happily spend a good amount of time with each, depending mostly on mood. Variety is the spice of life for sure!  

An integrated amp under $4K? I would get the Musical Fidelity M6si. It has gobs and gobs of power and that wondrous Musical Fidelity sound. Get a used one and use the savings to get a DAC.

I am optimistic that it is my recently purchased Aurorasound HFSA-01. 

Rega Aethos integrated amp for me. I was blown away by the sound when I first heard it.

@chillydog what amp did the Rega replace?  Thanks. 

Pass Labs X150.5

@mapman It replaced a Pass Labs INT-60 integrated amp.

@crawfishdaddi Solid recommendation, the Raven Night Hawk is indeed one of the best I've ever heard.  I like the entire line...but the Night Hawk is one of the rare gems in tube amps.

well I do HT mine would be , will be a Yamaha 11.1 channel receiver a used refurbished model and i MIGHT need to add amps for more power 
some of you are just too much $ amps but that's how you roll ! This has DSP etc 

For the money my Quicksilver Audio Mini Mite tube monoblocks. I’ve had mine for 18 years and for $998 US dollars (in 2006 dollars), they remain the best dollar to performance value I have spent in this hobby. As Sam Tellig wrote in his 2001 review of the Mini Mite monoblocks, sound does not get much better. You can spend alot more money on more powerful amplifiers but you won’t get much better sound than the Mini Mite monoblocks no matter how much more you spend.

The other great audio value for me is the DNA Starlett headphone amplifier for about $2000.

They are a limited production product offered by Donald North Audio and I believe the latest price is about $2500 US. Still worth the price IMO.

The VTA amps from Tubes4Hifi are a tremendous bargain. I’m running two of their VTA 70 mods as monoblocks. Lots of upgrade options.  Finished amps starting ~ $1k, kit pcb < $50.

Chances are those with “end game” amps also have speakers that the amp can drive well. So both together is what really matters.

Also worth noting features matter a lot with integrated amps. Different users will have different needs. So sound quality alone is not everything when it comes to integrated amps.

I’ve had a Cambridge Evo 150 for a couple years now and finding it hard to justify any change.  I’ve had a Bel Canto C5i for a number of years now.  Technology has evolved so so am sure I could do better but that little gadget still puts a smile on my face every time. 

Classe CAM400 mono blocks. I have them for over a decade now and enjoy tremendously. Or you can get the stereo version. Either version is affordable now. No moving parts. Dead quiet. 

Anything by David Berning.

My Primare I32 is it for me. They are up to model I35 now with a bunch of add-ons like built in DAC, and network player modules that boost the price to $4,500 minimum. If you don't need 150 watts the I25 lists for $3,299 new and delivers 100 watts. These are in the Class D category but use proprietary power modules that operate on a unique principle. I find the sound to be crystal clear, but very natural. 

There are 3 Primare integrateds for sale on this site right now ranging from $3,00 to $800. https://www.audiogon.com/brands/primare-systems

The Primare I32 was compared favorably to the Belles Aria in several reviews back in the day (the 132 come out slightly on top) so that would be a good bet, also.

Aavik U-150 used at 8K if you are lucky enough to find one.