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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
liquidsound's avatar
liquidsound
146 posts
 

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.  

tmalkki
24 posts
 

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.

linnvolk
89 posts
 

Chinook,

While of a different mold than what you are likely expecting to hear about here, I would suggest you look at the Linn Akurate Exaktbox i.  I paid $7900 for mine new at the dealer in March 2021.  It accepts only digital inputs.  Mine is paired with a LinnAkurate System Hub ($4000, also in March 2021), and provides 6 channels of very clean, very conservatively rated 100W output.  The integrated itself (the Exaktbox i)  is below your max price, but the combination is above your max price, and includes a first-class streamer to boot.  In my case, this is used to drive two AV 5140 floor standers in "aktiv" mode, and the results are stunning.  Except as forced to do so by further technical advances, I do not intend to mess with this setup again for the rest of my life.  I have that "in love" feeling every time I switch this system on.

hgeifman
2,113 posts
 

Maybe the Krell 300i integrated Amp  

Mfg link to Krell 300i amp

 

 

thehorn
111 posts
 

$5-$10 grand!

For a pocket of silver that big, consider either the 340i X, or the 600i v2, Integrated Amplifier from Sim Moon Audio. Both give you plenty of head room for driving most speaker loads.

Sim Moon are known to be detailed, transparent & built like tanks.

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