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Integrated amplifier - selection and alternatives

Hi everybody,

I am in the market for an integrated amplifier. The speakers are custom made:2-way, 83db sensitivity in 8 ohms, but they can go as low as 6.2 ohms in the bass region. My guess is that these speakers would love a 100w pc amplification. More is not necesarilly better, less might be not enough.

After I look around couple of alternatives seems interesting and reasonable prices for me:
- Accuphase E-308 (caveat - difficult to find in North America)
- Ayre AX 7 X (caveat - maybe not enough power)
- Krell KAV 400xi (caveat - not as musical as I would like)
- Electrocompaniet ECI-4 (caveat - a little bit overpriced compared with the the others that are bringing in similar qualities).

Being the market for a maximum $5800, which other integrated should I consider in your opinion?

Thank you very much for your time.
rmihai
19 responses Add your response
quadophile's avatar
quadophile
418 posts
 
I second Jeff Rowland Concerto
nickway
168 posts
 
I second the Blue Circle NSCS idea.
Blue Circle amps sound beautiful!

www.bluecircle.com

Happy listening,
Nick
hooper
396 posts
 
Try the new Rowland Concerto. It has 250 wpc of ICE digital power and sounds absolutely gorgeous. It drives my VR-4 HSEs with ease and is a marked improvement over my old BAT VK-300x tube unit. Retail is $5,900, I believe.
hbarrel's avatar
hbarrel
342 posts
 
I have not heard them but after scrounging around various reviews and what not, from Germany;
MBL7008
Accustic Arts Power Drive 1
far_from_home_less
5 posts
 
Sorry.
far_from_home_less
5 posts
 
Throw in the BC501 DAC($3695) and you are just a bit above your target.
tpsonic
1,092 posts
 
No one has mentioned Plinius' intefrated 8100/8200.
miler
9 posts
 
and how about bvaudio integrated, A300S is very musical, if not even the best out there.
the_kid's avatar
the_kid
465 posts
 
I owned an Electrocompaniet ECI-3 and loved it. I am sure the ECI-4 has the same sonic character. I would glady suggest this amplifier. You should be able to get a deal here on a used unit. I would also strongly suggest the Musical Fidelity integrateds. Good luck to you!

Chris
philbrady
89 posts
 
I recommend the 6900. I have it after auditioning the Ayre and the Musical Fidelity A5. Both were very good and I could have lived with the sond of either. The A5 was more detailed but lacked the bass control of the Mac. The Ayre was very nice but I liked the look of the Mac.
springbok10
711 posts
 
The most amazing 2 integrated amps I have ever heard are the Jadis Orchestra Reference, but only about 40 watts - main down-side is that it is a bugger to bias - you have to take it apart - and, even more impressive in many ways, the Bel Canto SETi 40. This is a remarkable sounding single ended int amp, with a digital-logic 0.5 db stepped remote volume control and that pure, involving, unique SET sound. (845 tubes)
But then 40 amps have to be enough. But what incredible 40 watts. Call Matt at Bel Canto - he's a helpful, honest and smart guy and will tell you if it's enough power for your speakers. You'd have to find it used. It's $6K new - used about $3500.
jalanc42069
131 posts
 
I also like the MAC,easily sold if you do not like it. What about Plinius, Rowland, BelCanto, or other digital/chip amps. Or, 2 monoblock chip amps[maybe CIA 100 or 200 w/ch] with a sweet tube preamp, you could hide the little monos.
brianmgrarcom
1,317 posts
 
As an owner of a Musical Fidelity kW500 I gladly recommend it, on the used market, as to fit your budget; also used, consider the Jeff Rowland Concerto and Concentra II.
velo62
255 posts
 
MA6900 overpriced? You wont think so in 2 years when its upgrade time. Buy one now for 2900 to 3200...its money in the bank!
rmihai OP
55 posts
 
I've done my measurements - 100W would be just enough.

I was thinking about Mcintosh MA6900 - but, I personally consider McIntosh stuff a little bit overpriced.
hbarrel's avatar
hbarrel
342 posts
 
I've on order a Blue Circle NSCS. 110wpc
s7horton
1,077 posts
 
With a sensitivity rating of 83 db, I'd be more tempeted to use a higher powered integrated than 100 wpc. I think the the Musical Fidelity A5 would do just fine.
aball
2,018 posts
 
The McIntosh MA6900 is absolutely fantastic. It has a rare musical capability that few others can match.
sdatch
204 posts
 
The Musical Fidelity A5 integrated is also within your price range, and outputs 250 wpc into an 8 Ohm load. I recently had the opportunity to hear the kW-500 at the same dealer, which is a little over your budget. I was blown away, almost literally. I came away with the belief that either one of the new MuFi's should be capable of driving just about anything.
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