thank you @bvdiman @audioman58 @georgehifi @palbrecht1 @kren006. gryphon seems a crowd favorite as well.heard it has darker backgrounds, great bass and is a dynamic and muscular amp. Yes it will drive anything with the current it can put out 300w @ 8ohm and 950w @ 2ohm, and it has sub outputs if you need to add sub/s to your mains. That so called "dark sound", is just like what pure class-A sounds like, it washes over you with detail and massively huge dynamics, and presence without calling attention to itself, or to the speaker drivers themselves, it’s like they don’t have to be in the room, IT"S NOT HIFI to coin a phrase. Cheers George |
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Plus 1 on the Analog Domain md75 II |
This thread is.. special.
I have a lot to say about the ability of teeny tiny audio outfits being able to ACTUALLY compete on sound quality and engineering and material design with the big boys, but it would fall on deaf ears. Economies of scale and all that.
Anyway, Mark Levinson No. 5805. |
I have owned the Absolare Integrated mentioned above for almost 2 years and with a the right set of NOS tubes to dial in the sound exactly to taste, it has been an end-of-the-line decision for me. (Their Echole cables offer some fantastic synergy as well.) I strongly recommend an audition. I came from top of the line Luxman separates (c+m900u) and the Absolare added incredible low-end foundation, along with the in-the-room instrument density, delicacy and presence of a 4W tube amp that I so coveted, without sacrificing any of the SS transparency and neutrality that I loved from the Luxman separates. |
+1 twoleftears
I have the precursor to the U-380; the U-300. Drives my Raidho D2s splendidly. Highly recommended!
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SAE Two A14.
Best integrated EVER designed and built. Period! |
Aavik 380 is a Class D amp I beleive..... May sound great but can it justify a 40K price point? Just thinking out loud here... |
With a high budget like that, I will say: Audition, audition and audition. |
I own the diablo 300, stepped down from gryphon separates but i actually think its better than the evo amp. Tried the Momentum sorry to momentum amp this is about a dull as an amp could get, put me to sleep.
Go the diablo, make my alexia sing. |
New Krell K-300i amp...
Best Kept Secret ?... |
less than 10k and you can have the Luxman 590 II-- |
Buy the Leben at $5k. Pair it w the pro-ac responses or the vintage Kef 101s. You can spend whatever you want, but it won’t sound better.
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I have Focal Evos and had the gryphon diablo 300. Great amp but found it to be a bit aggressive for my taste. Ended up with Octave separates which I absolutely love. I heard the Vitus Sia-030 on YG speakers and thought it sounded fantastic! If I was to move back to an integrated it would be the Vitus. Good luck in your search! |
All new Marantz pm-12SE Integrated amp ?
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@varyat
Yes, it is a Class D design. It showcases what the absolute peak capabilities of this design are currently. You also get a phenomenal DAC (I used to have a PS Audio DirectStream and it is bested by the one in the Aavik unit) and phono stage.
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You probably would be satisfied with any of your candidates, but my auditioning stopped at the D'agnostino Momentum. I was immediately impressed with the fine grain resolution and the pure natural sound, even at low loudness levels. The soundstage is wide and defined in spite of my lack of room treatment. It provides more than adequate punch for the bass and I also like the controls and their feel. In addition, it passes the spouse decor test. She has commented, "finally a piece of equipment that looks as good as it sounds". |
Bob thapsody audio is very legit and honest. |
Lavardin IT.
Aries Cerat Diana
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Spoke to a high end dealer, he is a huge fan of pilium. The mono blocks of pilium are 90k..solution are 200k, he felt pilium was just as good. He has had msb dacs, one over 100k..currently has pilium dac and loves it. Pilium dac is around 40k |
At more down-to-earth prices, you may consider the top-of-the-range Luxman integrateds
L-509X (Class AB)
L-590AXII (Class A)
I have the 590AXII and it’s marvellous. It’s so good that I’ve upgraded all my cables to premium ones(power cords, interconnects and speaker cables) and the Luxman keeps giving. |
The best one by a wide margin is the Audionet Humboldt and i have heard the Vitus SIA-030, CH Precision I1, Dartzeel CTH-8550, Gryphon Diablo 300 and T+A PA 3100 HV.
You get 90% of Stern-Heisenberg combo with the Humboldt.
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Thieliste,
Interesting on the Humboldt. I heard the Stern connected to a gryphon colosseum on Vivid GiyaS and thought the sound was incredible. Actually preferred the audionet to the Gryphon pre. What speakers did you hear the Humboldt on?
Thanks |
@rshad0000 YG Hailey 2.2 and Dynaudio Confidence 50.The best combo was with the Hailey 2.2s at least for my taste.I'm seriously considering the Humboldt that's why i auditioned most top integrated available.This is the best route if you want separates performance without the hassle of many boxes and the extra cost of more cables and racks.
I'd rather put more money on speakers and source.Since i live in Europe the Humboldt is more reasonably priced for us.Cheers
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Yes, it’s pretty expensive here. I believe it’s $40k. My issue is a lack of space so I may have to go and listen to one at some point. Thx |
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@rshad0000 it's 50k in the US and 42k in Europe.
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Absolare Signature Integrated got my vote for the cost no object amplifier as I had owned and compared with many $25K+ Integrated but the Absolare is so musical and a few step above all of them...such an emotionally engaging amplifier! |
You have some great suggestions to checkout. I would also have a close look at Vinnie Rossi's top integrated.
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Maybe the one nobody has heard yet ?..
SPEC Corp. RSA-M99 |
IMHO, the Pass Labs int 250 is right up with the best of the best. Also agree on the Gryphon D300. Both of these are killer amps. |
All new Brinkmann Voltair Hybrid just come on the market and they say it's a real game-changer !
Major Breakthrough for Integrated amps ?..
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Pilium from greece, they are top top notch...can be heard at bob rhapsody audio nyc. He has pilium dac 40k and it sounds better then other dacs 3x cost...but pilium...is 29k 39k...i believe |
so far from what iam hearing is audionet humboldt seems to be top contender for cost no object integrated.as it is cut out of the same dna of stern and heisenberg separates and looks like a great piece of engineering.
does somebody have thoughts and notes on how humboldt sounds compares to vitus or even grphon mephisto or CH separates.
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does anyone here own audionet humboldt or has demoed or listened extensively and critically to it.
can someone describe the sonic characteristics or compare to any other amps they have listened or owned.
also if some one can pitch in on how it compares to MAX monoblocks with pre-g2 preamp combo |
I absolutely don't agree regarding the Audionet Watt being close to the Humboldt.The Humboldt is in a complete different league, you get 90% of Stern-Heisenberg sound for a fraction of the cost with the Humboldt.The humboldt is uber transparent and ultra fast, you get a huge holographic soundstage, very solid bass and very smooth organic sound.It is not cold or analytical at all.IMO It is the world's best integrated up to msrp 50k period.Second place you have either the Vitus SIA-030 or the d'Agostino Momentum integrated.Third place you have CH Precision I1, Absolare integrated, and Aavik U-380.
Unless you have the budget for Stern-Heisenberg get the Humboldt.Watt and Max series is midfi compared to Stern-Heisenberg and Humboldt.Just my two cents.
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@thieliste
yes HUMBOLDT no doubt should be much better than their other integrated and may be also better than their separates pre-g2 and max.
does any one know how it compares to any other brands like dan d'agostino momentum or even say CH separates L1 / A1.5 mono's or ypsilon phaeton silver edition(50k).
anything to understand comparatively. although the design and engineering specs look impeccable, there are not much reviews i can find. |
Do you guys know any other high current integrated amps that could compete or even beat the Gryphon Diablo 300 in the same price range ?Thanks.
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Pilium 39k is best that bob at rhapsody in nyc has heard. They are out of greece and bob has customers come from europe to listen to his stuff. He is a huge supporter of pilium..even there dac at 40k is better then other dacs at 100k. Call bob at rhapsody in nyc, hes getting a pilium in the store in 10 days. |
Thanks but 39k is not what i call same price range as Gryphon Diablo 300.Diablo 300 is 15k, i don't see anything that can compete in this price range other than T+A PA 3100HV.T+A is not as musical as Gryphon IMO.
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ASR Emitter Exclusive Blue version would be on my list. Owned it for many years. Very nice in many ways.
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I've heard the ASR Emitter ll in 2014 paired with Thiel CS 3.7s, great combo very smooth sounding but too many boxes need a lot of rack space.I think it's difficult to beat the Diablo 300 in that price range.
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I have heard the Gryphon a while back, sounded really good and very powerful.
I have a pair of speakers now that while ruthlessly transparent they do not hide any defect from your phone electronics.
it simply does not forgive any defect little or large.
they are 100 dB efficient 2 way crossoverless all silver wiring internally.
been playing with SPEC at home and while very nice, these speakers will show minute details that detract my heart and distract my attention from the music just an iota.
I’ve been playing a very satisfactory Accuphase E-650, while is has the best recreation of a genuine stage with space cues to width and depth that I’ve never heard before in my room..... I’m waiting on a beast E-800 and have much expectation on what this best amp in the integrated class from Accuphase sounds like.
we shall see....
I’ve heard good things about some of the amps proposed here like the Mola Mola, D’Agostino and Pass. Actually, Dan D’Agostino and Nelson Pass are 2 of my heroes of audio design.
im daily new to Accuphase but looking at their track record for maintenance free and reliability.
I’ll give this line a go for the next few years and see what happens.
I’ll probably change my speakers to something smaller as I am downsizing and the speakers tend to overpower my small room .... 4 meter x 4.5 meter office
i think reading reviews is fine but there is no substitute for hearing the gear yourself .
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Any news here on super integrated amps? Goodsource, did you came nearer to your decision?
Why is the Jeff Rowland Daemon just mentioned once or twice, but not more? In my opinion ist JRDG one of the real musical and most aesthetical products in audio industry constantly in the last 40 years. I had 6 different preamps from him in my system in the last 20 years and like them a lot.
Actually I intend to buy the Daemon. Power nearly without limit, outstanding phono and DAC integrated, preamp output and power amp input for any further experiences with existing or future separates to check the quality and make a/b comparisons.
Have you any comparisons Daemon vs. Humboldt or Gryphon? |
This thread is indeed special with all the big boys. I'm also well aware that people will recommend what they currently own particularly if it works for them. No surprise there and I'll do the same.
For anyone who doesn't have the funds or do not want to spend so much for a premium TOTL integrated from the big boys, have a look at the Luxman L-590AXII. It may not measure up when you look at the price but it's very very special.
It may be useful if folks can share what speakers are matched to these premium cost-no-object integrateds though.
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Since this thread started (Sept 2020), who has purchased one of these big dog integrated amps (say, $20k or above msrp), what comparisons did you make before purchasing, and which integrated was the runner up that just lost out to your eventual choice?
OP, did you pull the trigger yet? |
I purchased a Diablo 300 to drive my Thiel CS 3.7s and i'm very happy with this combo.For my next rig i'll be looking at Audionet Humboldt or Pilium Leonidas to drive a pair Borresen 03 Cryo Edition.I'm going to try to audition the Leonidas at some point.
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