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Best Integrated Amp

I've been on a quest for a long time for the best sounding integrated amp. I've tried everything in my home, The Krell KAV300i, the KAV500i, the Mark Levinson 383, the Musical Fidelity Nuvista integrated amp, The Audio Research CA50, the VTL IT-85 and countless others and I think I finally found just the right one; The Goldmund Mimesis SRI2. This integrated is rated at 125 watts into 8 and 200 watts in 4 with 25 amps of current available. When I was comparing this to the Levinson 383, it blew it out of the water, it was much smoother, MUCH MORE DETAILED and just plan more life sounding, I don't feel that the 383 sounds flat, I think they raised the midbass level to try to make the amp more exciting, however after time its just tiresome to listen to. Another amazing thing is that the Goldmund wasn't any weaker in power then the 383 and it cost considerably less at only $3750. I think I've finally find something I'm going to stick with a while. All the other integrated amps out there had flaws, the Krell KAV500i while more powerful, was dull and lacked soundstaging depth or width, the Audio Research CA50, while a wonderful sounding piece just lacked power with its 45 tube watts and the VTL, just wasn't that good. I honestly think that the Goldmund SRI2 is the best sounding piece of gear I've heard in a long time. If you get the chance you should listen to it for yourself. I was just wondering if anyone had any other ideas about what they thought was the best integrated out there. (BTW this integrated out performed a Levinson 334 and 360s and a Conrad-Johnson Premier 17LS with a Classe CAM350 that I heard last week)
bigcigarman
smwdrtwin
25 posts
 
Bigcigarman:

I too usually look for integrated amps because I think there are some great units out there and the one box saves space. I haven't heard all of the units that you have but I really enjoyed the Musical Fidelity NuVista integrated. With its power supply, it's a two box unit so the space savings is out. What did you think of the NuVista. I reread Fremer's review of the original NuVista amp and then his review of the integrated and I read the reviews by others of the integrated. I think they were all pretty much in agreement about its sonic character, basically smooth, powerful, detailed, and musical. What did you think?
rpogo3
1 posts
 
Has anybody listened to the new Krell 300il? It supposed to be a complete overhaul of the 300i integrated. I've listened to the 300i and love the dynamics but did not like the midrange. I can not find any info on the 300il but Krell says it is their best integrated ever and the midrange is much improved over the 300i. I would like to find an integrated with the dynamics of the krell but with a smooth tube-like midrange.
hgeifman
2,256 posts
 
I like the Rowland Concentra. My other equipment includes the Meridian 508.20 CD Player and ProAc 2.5 speakers.
chadspangler
7 posts
 
Yyoon- I have the Sim I-5 and love it. Very tough to beat at its price (2650). I have heard alot of good things about the Plinius, but didnt get a chance to audition it before I bought the Sim (was offered a very good deal on the I-5 new, and bought it).
bigcigarman OP
14 posts
 
The Musical Fidelity that I got the day when it came out was very good, however I don't think that at $4500 it was better then the Goldmund, it had slightly more current, but with the Goldmund and my Prodigy's I was still able to put out 113db in my room with a reference count basie jazz recording, so I don't think I need the extra juice. The M3 was overall okay, but still slightly ruff and grainy subtly, but not as smooth as the Goldmund. As far as the Krell 300IL, my local dealer has gotten it in, and I got a chance to hear it for 15 min, much better then the old KAV300i, but that doesn't say much. There are still much better stuff out there. Although I think it sounded more natural then the KAV500i close to the Levinson 383, but Goldmund is still the king of integrateds for me!
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