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My last Integrated Amp: $5-10,000?

I would like to hear recommendations regarding integrated amplifiers costing between $5-10,000. This will be my last amplifier for quite a while. I prefer to buy used when I can but also prefer no older that 2-3 years.  My speakers are likely to change every couple of years and I may keep more than one pair.

I like a detailed and transparent sound with air and the ability to easily to pick out the location of the instruments/singers.   I have liked the class A that I’ve heard and I’ve liked the tubes that I’ve heard but I don’t want to mess with tubes.  Also, I do not want a streaming device and I’d rather not have a built in DAC but I can live with it. 

My music preferences are vocals and 70-90s rock. 
So far I have identified the following possibilities that are available.
Mark Levinson: No 585 at $8400 and ML-5805 at $6550.  The latter is a new model and I have read that there have been teething problems. I don’t know if ML have corrected this situation. 
Luxman L-590AXII $7250  has a good reputation and longevity but is relatively low powered.

McIntosh MA5300, Coda CISB, and Gryphon Diablo 120 are also possibilities if available.

chinook9
papyneau
30 posts
 

I had virtually the same requirement as you and I end-up with the Luxman L-509X. It is detailed and warm as the same time, truly amazing. You should auditioned it and see (or listen!) for yourself, your final choice would be improved independently of what you end-up selecting.

 

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
2,859 posts
 

@jtgofish I don’t see that model on the Bakoon website.

 

 

ullogu1
26 posts
 

+1 Aesthetix Mimas

jafant
18,932 posts
 

AYRE AX-5 Twenty Series.

 

Happy Listening!

mm1tt77
127 posts
 

You’ve got a great list and choices that have been presented.  So much will depend on your personal preference and set / speakers.  
 

Based on the list and comments that you like tubes but don’t want to fuss with them, the class A options are likely the best place to start.  I’ve had and compared the Coda CSiB, the Krell 300i, the PrimaLuna 400 integrated (tube).  Compared these to Krell 300xd and Parasound A21.  
 

All 3 are fantastic products, integrated amps.  If you really like tubes, Primaluna is about as fuss free as you can get, autobias, easier on tubes and you can tube roll a ton of tubes to tailor the sound.  Powerful for a Tube amp but if you have harder to drive speakers might run out of oomph if you need it.  Built like a tank.

Coda was simply awesome - built like a tank, you can reach the owners / designers who are really open about the build and comparison to other products they make.  
 

Krell - there is something magical about the Krell - too my ears we the best of the bunch and I wanted to like the Coda better…. If you read reviews on the Krell, there are a lot, there are plenty of people with a love affair with this unit.  You can find one used, saw one under 5 grand without the DAC.

Now - when I compared all the integrated amps to the stand alone Krell 300xd - well, ended up with the 300xd - was another level above the integrated amps.  BTW - CSiB had a great pre, worked well just as a pre.  
 

I’d stretch a bit if it was me, look for the Gryphon 300 Diablo - without a DAC used you might come close to 10 grand - there is one listed with the DAC for 13.5 grand.

i think everyone on your list is a great option - I’d add Krell for sure - talked to quite a few people that compared quite a few integrated amps and landed on the Krell.

Enjoy the journey! 

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