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

Lots of good ones out there.  Had a BAT Integrated VK-3500 before I went to separates.  I was very happy with it.  Those 6H30 tubes are magic.  I would look for a used one.  

Are you sure you want an integrated amp?  For your budget you could put together a better performing system with individual amp and preamp.  Especially a quality tube preamp with class A solid state amp with no power tube short life or heat headaches.  

If you must go integrated I recently heard the new Luxman L 507Z and the sound paired with Harbeth 30XD speakers was very nice.  

see post 74.  

 

Lux and Pass are both great I have Pass Labs myself leave them on 24/7 when I am home.

While I don't own it, I believe the Pass-Labs Int-60 would be a terrific integrated amp.  I have the XP-22 preamp and had the 30.8 amp and both are superb powerful and detailed.  The Int-60 is also high biased in class-A.  A great single box solution if you don't have too inefficient speakers.  Pass is a long time well-respected name and their products are super reliable.  

BAT VK300XSE. Very satisfied. Bought it used, original list was $6,495. Easy to contact the builder via email, Very helpful guy. Powering a pair of Odyessey Loreleis w/kismet upgrade. Full, detailed but not analytical, great presence.