2. amps-preamps
  3. 170192-151404

Best Integrated that you've heard under $5k

It's a crowded market in the under $5k arena...

Let's hear which integrated amp surprised you and maybe even had you shaking your head in disbelief. 

Watch the first response be, 'no $5k integrated is that good' blah blah blah. You know how it is, lot of old fogeys on here that are done censoring themselves and take it out on the thread.

Also, if I've missed the cutoff and there's just this $6k or $7k amp that is worth consideration, feel free to mention.
cd45123
madcow
42 posts
 
Luxman 505uXII with Thiel CS1.5 Nice match. Hears everything. Wish it’s a tad deeper in the mids and lows. Supplement with REL T7i to make up.
cakids
166 posts
 
Haven’t heard Raven or Leben, but Manley Stingray
 is great in my system. Using 90 db speakers in a med-small room. Detailed, natural and spacious.
cakids
166 posts
 
Btw, just got back from a live jazz concert - Branford Marsallus - and the Stingray system sounds completely authentic. Very convincing.
tarheel54's avatar
tarheel54
25 posts
 
I have not heard them all. I'll stick with my old tried and true YBA Integre DT. 
oldaudiophile
286 posts
 
Haven’t heard many but of those I’ve done serious seat-time with, these are the ones I believe are worth every cent!

McIntosh MA5200
Musical Fidelity M6si
Simaudio Moon NEO 340 IX
Luxman (can't remember model number but competitor to the MAC MA5200, at the time, around 4 or 5 years ago  and might have been a bit more than 5 grand. In A/B between 2 and 3 hours with Focal Aria 936 + Rega P3 with Ortofon Blue + Rega Apollo CD, the MAC & this Luxman were virtually indistinguishable from each other.)
More to discover