2. amps-preamps
  3. 188966-185607

Integrated amp: Component weight

I'm an older guy with a bad back looking to spend $5-10K on an integrated amp.  Before I get into functionality, connectivity, or even sound quality, my threshold considerations are price, power, and weight.  My 86dB-sensitivity Harbeths do best with the equivalent of a 200-300wpc solid-state unit, I need to drive a variety of analog & digital sources, hope to keep weight under 40lbs, and want to stay away from "classic" Class D designs.  Been there, done that, D simply didn't work in my system.

My question: Does anybody know of any published listing of amplifiers that compares products by weight or size?

So far, I've only found a few 15-35lb models that meet this initial filter, from sellers like Ayre, Devialet, & Bryston, and, surprisingly, even ARC.  However, there are connectivity & functionality issues that make these otherwise-terrific options a poor fit.

Any suggestions?

cundare2
cundare2 OP
276 posts
 

@hgeifman At one time, I lusted over anything that John Curl designed and the Hint6 was a bit of a dream purchase.  Now that I have greater financial means, I'm looking at higher-quality gear, more like Ayre & Hegel.  But at their price points, all the Halos seem to be great choices.

@yyzsantabarbara Thanks for the details.  Interesting comments, especially your comments about the KEF + Benchmark combo.  The LS50s don't have the Harbeth's LS3/5A heritage, but they do seem to have a lot in common.

@axeis1  Yeah, I had to eliminate great-sounding components like the Aesthetix & PrimaLuna tubed gear for the reasons you mention.  I read every TAS cover to cover, so I remember Neil's review.

Still working on that spreadsheet. Boy, it's complicated sorting through everything -- I love the way Benchmark sometims lists 2 inputs as being 4 in its spreadsheets -- counting the # of jacks, not channels!  It takes time to double-check everything.

Regardless, this is turning into a very interesting discussion.

 

 

 

cundare2 OP
276 posts
 

Here’s one reason why it’s been tricky to figure out if the Devialet Expert Pro can be configured into my multi-channel system.

Fixed inputs: 1 USB,1 opt; 1 digital XLR

Configurable inputs:
1 line-in/phono;
2 coax dig-in/1 line-in;
1 mono sub/coax dig in;
1 coax dig-in/dig-out;
1 mini-opt in/RS-232

And all inputs (not sure if that includes both analog & digital) can be configured as home theater bypasses.

I need simultaneous HT bypass, sub out, output for headphones (or a headphone amp) out, & inputs for 2-4 analog sources & an outboard streamer.

Oh and just for icing, the Devialet product literature is so terse as to be unhelpful. The company seems to want people to figure out if the amp works for them by running a Configurator program that stores connection-setups on an SD card that you insert into the amp.

So before you can even figure out if the amp will handle all your other components, you have to go online, learn how to use a configuration application, and proceed by trial-and-error. And when I tried to use the configurator, it had a simple interface, simple in both the best and worst ways: easy to make changes but short on explanations about what those changes do, or why certain combinations are not allowed.

Absolute Sound dinged the product for its complicated setup, but I don’t think that tells half the story.

 

My head hurts.

 

sokogear
1,097 posts
 

How about a Plinius Hautonga (AB)? I think it's about $4-5K. I have it's predecessor, the 8200MKII for 19 years and it is a super reliable great sounding amp. The Hautonga is 30lbs and 200WPC into 8 ohms. Their bigger one, the Haito, is 56 lbs and has 300WPC. They've reduced distribution in the US, but you can still get them.

Post removed 
hgeifman
2,255 posts
 

What about this amp?

See Daniel Hertz link

“Daniel Hertz makes only one amplifier – Maria – the very best that Mark Levinson can design. Maria 350 is the stereo (2 channel) model, and Maria 800 is the 4 channel model with active crossovers and time alignment enables for driving bi-amplified speakers. Maria is a single chassis, all in one audio electronics solution, replacing the DAC, preamplifier, power amplifier, headphone amplifier and interconnect cables, fully programmable active crossovers and time alignment are enabled”.

”

Specifications

  • Daniel Hertz Mighty Cat™ Audio Chip with C-Wave™
  • Digital to analog conversion with no seperate DAC
  • 3 analog (1 meg ohms) inputs, USB, coax, wi-fi, Bluetooth
  • 2 Channel power amplifier
  • 350 Watts per channel (8 ohms)
  • 500 Watts per channel (4 ohms)
  • Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled
  • Internal tuneable Headphone amplifier
  • Custom Daniel Hertz speaker connectors
  • Hand-built mirror black finished Perspex chassis
  • Hand-polished stainless steel knobs and buttons

Weight & Dimensions

Power output, two channels:
350W per channel at 8 ohms.
500W per channel at 4 ohms.

Frequency response:
5 Hz - 30 kHz

Native resolution:
384 kHz PWM, 3ns

AC Power input:
90V - 250 V

Dimensions:
Height:
110mm (4.33’’)

Width:
430mm (16.93’’)

Depth:
330mm (12.99’’)

Weight:
6kg (13 lbs)
Fuse: 15 A
Digital inputs:
Bluetooth, digital coaxial, USB Audio 2.0, WIFI

Bluetooth (wireless):
24 bit, 48 kHz


Digital Coaxial:
24 bit, 192 kHz

USB Audio Class 2.0
24 bit, 192 kHz


Analog inputs:
stereo RCA, 3 pairs with 1 megohms input impedance

Analog outputs:
Left and right channel speaker outputs via Daniel Hertz speaker connectors.

Headphone output via front panel 1/4" phone jack.”

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