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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
ahdeofile
1 posts
 

I just purchased a SET 120 Control Amplifier and Vision Q phono preamp from Frank Van Alstine last week to compare with the Rogue Audio Sphinx V3 I was currently using (and enjoying) to drive a pair of Vandersteen 3A Sigs.  I find the AVA SET 120 Control Amp to be an absolutely wonderful match for my Vandys, so much so that I will be selling my Sphinx V3. It’s a great value.

I had several questions about the amplifier regarding compatibility with my speakers and the combo deal discount on the Vision Q phono preamp with the SET 120.  I left a message and Frank called me back the same day.  In addition, I emailed him additional questions and he answered my inquiries promptly.  I also was told there would be a 3 week wait due to some back ordered parts (chassis feet). However, it turned out only to be a 1 week wait.  Very good customer service in my experience.




geof3
1,125 posts
 
@larry5829 Moon by Simaudio are excellent products. If you can find an i7 buy it, you won’t be sorry.
transnova's avatar
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transnova
350 posts
 
The best that I have owned and/ or heard at home is the Pass Labs Int 150.
joekapahulu
240 posts
 
Interesting question in that I am presently looking for a new integrated in the $3k range (now probably the $5k range after various demos). SS likely due to the heat though I did listen to some tubes just for curiousity, Listened to a variety of products but the ones that stood out were 3 Belles amps...Aria, Signature and their top of the line which was excellent but out of my range at $7k.  The $2300 "entry level" Aria was superior to the Marantz PM 8005 I have now which is a nice but entry level unit. The Sig was definitely worth the incremental $2k step up. I also listened to the Rogue CM3... nice but not really distinctive as a tube amp. Listened to various Rega units from Io up the line and was very surprised how good they sounded....Still thinking about that line. Also, various Hegel amps which were good but to my ears maybe a little dark. Liked the McIntosh integrateds 5200 and another but not as much as I thought I would and vs their prices. Very curious about Luxman and Pass and hoping to get back to US to listen to those then make a decision. Biggest takeaway I had was that there are MANY really good integrateds these days and likely no "Best". It is likely a combination of sound, features, warranty, looks and availability that will do it for me and there could easily be a couple that fill the bill. 
usatran's avatar
usatran
10 posts
 
I’d have to say that for me (I’ve been an audiophile since the mid-1960s) it has been the Yamaha A-S801BL unit that I’m currently using. I especially like the chassis layout, the single subwoofer out jack and the access to the internal DAC features that let me hookup a Sony UBP-X800M2 Blu-Ray player that does not have an internal DAC and play SACD discs, and FLAC files that I can stream off my home network. If plays back nicely through a pair of KEF Q750 towers. The overall sound is sweet and accurate. Fell in love with Yamaha when I was a live audio mix engineer for several bands and started using the Yamaha PM-1000 console at live gigs. It blew the doors off my old Soundcraft Limited Edition 24x4 console.
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