YBA Passion Integrated or ML 383

It was no contest for me: go with the Passion. I've owned mine for over two years. Still delivers the goods.....

It's a damn shame you can't consult two of the most lengthy threads in recent
A'gon history, both started by the very same user whose name I will not
mention. Both have been terminated with extreme prejudice by the powers
that be with near 100 caring contributions from a diverse range or
respondants. I believe any mention of this user's name, or of the name of his
integrated flavor-of-the-month which "blows away the ML 383 in every
respect", will cause this post to go down in flames before I even finish
typing it. I think the moderators have found a way to send electrical current
directly through the user's keyboards when the "D" is typed
followed immediately by the "K". Notice how I've deftly avoided
this. Oh, by the way, if you're looking for one of those particular integrated
amps you may be delighted to note who's selling his here on A'gon at this
very moment! Since it is so vastly superior to the ML, perhaps you should
give this some serious consideration.

Other than that, you may also want to consider the Portal Audio Panache.
Probably not quite in the league of the two amps you mention, but FWIW,
Stereophile claims it's pretty darn close to the YBA Integre (which I have not
heard so cannot offer comment on) with the YBA edging out the Portal in
providing just a bit more detail as I recall. The price difference is profound
with the YBA costing more than double the cost of a demo Portal (a clear
illustration of diminishing returns - at least on the sonic front). I think the
Portal is an outstanding Integrated, and have been enjoying it very much over
two months now. I won't wax sentimental on it except to say that I find the
reviews to be mostly spot-on as to the strengths and weaknesses.

Marco

The YBA Passion integrateds have recently been released in 3 new models: the 100, 200, and 300 Passion Integres. Check out the YBA web site for more info. Based on what I've read about these two brands the YBA may be more "tube-like" in character whereas the ML may be more "detailed." It also might depend on what else you're using it with.

The link from Google does not work. Here is the actual web site:

http://www.yba.fr/uk/index.php

By my "tube-like" comment I meant that the YBA appears to make tube lovers happy, meaning it does not sound too sterile or SS. On the warm and rich side but still detailed. I have not heard the amp myself (I would like to someday!) but have researched it extensively parsing together an overview of its character from a wide range of comments. Enough to interest me should I ever decide to move away from tubes.