Integrated amp for Avalon Indra

01-06-15: Glai
How would you compare the sound of the Vitus amps to the Boulder 1060s?

That's a good question. I was running a Boulder 1060 with my modded Ayon CD-5s as linestage. The Boulder sounded powerful with excellent control, neutral, very quiet and resolving without sound analytical. The 1060 sounds natural to my ears. The Vitus has a more tube-like sound in that it sounds warm, mellifluous, smooth and harmonically rich. In that way, it sounds reminiscent of a good 300b amp, though the amp remains essentially neutral. Music sounds remarkably pure and flows & sounds analogue-like in the way music sounds vivid, dynamic and engaging, yet velvety and smooth if that makes sense. The headline power figures are deceiving as the Vitus has plenty of power and control, though of course not quite as much as the Boulder. The Boulder is a great amp, especially with tubes upstream and has excellent build quality. The Boulder's unfussed casework, superb engineering, neutrality & control are very attractive qualities. I'd say my head would vote for the Boulder, but my heart voted for the Vitus.

How would you compare the sound of the Vitus amps to the Boulder 1060s?

@Glai, we all have different ears and preferences. These days I prefer the sound of Vitus Signature Series over Boulder, but I enjoyed my time with the 1060.

Melbguy, I am glad your experience is different. I was later disappointed again by their 1008 phono.

Glai, I used to own a Boulder 1060 paired with Marten Coltrane speakers which also use Accuton drivers. I didn't find the Boulder lacking in micro dynamics or detail. I'd characterize the Boulder as a fast, powerful, resolving, neutral and natural sounding amp. Paired with my Coltranes, there was plenty of electrostatic-like speed and control. Paired with my modded Ayon CD-5s as linestage, I was really happy with that combo, and the Indras houldn't be much different.

I would pick Aesthetix over Luxman, but agree with the tick for Modwright. The KWA-150SE is a peach.

Owned multiple Avalon speakers. Tried many amps. Boulder 1060 had good bass and macro-dynamics but lack micro dynamics and detail. Ayre MXR was pretty good depending on your taste. I find ayre mostly satisfying but transient attack was slightly hyped with forceful high frequencies. Pass XA60.5 good tonal match but not enough power. X350.5 was pretty good. Rowland 312 was awful, dry and limited tonal palette. MBL, Bryston, Classe (CT600) were not good tonal match.

You are better off with warmer sounding SS amp like luxman. Have not tried the Dartzeel with Avalon but I suspect it would work. Maybe modwright as well.

Had a BAT 51se. I would not say this is a rich sounding preamp except too fat in bass. BAT tube amp is good match.

Ultimately I prefer Avalons with tube amps.

I've heard the Indras a few times. The best synergy I found was with a Dartzeel CTH-8550. I also think a Boulder 865 would work well with a tubed cd player such as Ayon. I think Rowland would be a bit thin sounding and bright with these speakers.

im plugging the modwright kwi 200.Power,neutrality...

Avalon was founded by Charles Hansen from Ayre. I would definitely consider an Ayre integrated. Another good one is the BAT 300ix.