Marantz PM10 class D amp

Dave (audiotroy) and I listened to the Krell k300i with the Kef Referemce 5s  that was the best thing we tried, IMO  

jnehma….."Don’t have direct experience to share regarding these amps but I would echo what @kalali said about specs. Take audiosciencereview with a grain of salt, at best."

I would take this another step farther. I had never heard of this website called audiosciencereview until a few weeks ago. I then read a review they did on the Nuforce STA200, a $499 amplifier (not class D) sold by Audio Advisor. Audiosciencereview gave this amplifier the worst possible review that can be imagined, just trashed it. If you take a look at the customer reviews on Audio Advisor and a thread here (started by myself prior to purchase) you will find everyone loves this beautiful little amp.

Based on the above, I will give weight to the opinions of those who have actual experience with a piece of equipment, and none to the recommendations based on that website or other reading.

35 years on now
the world belonged to the brave who embraced
the new
perfect music forever
and the sweetest revenge
is the new kids
love Vinyl..

so specs will take you so far..
listen a bit

have fun

leave the spiritual arguments behind..the music is what matters...

Have you considered the Parasound HINT 6 integrated?

Don't have direct experience to share regarding these amps but I would echo what @kalali said about specs. Take audiosciencereview with a grain of salt, at best. Measurements can be important but some people "listen" only with measurements. Stack measurements of a decent turntable up against a 1985 CD player and it will look like the CD player absolutely blows it away. Listening will reveal a different answer. Given near universal praise of the Lyngdorf, ASR wouldn't disqualify it in my book. To each his own...

You have a fair point in principle but its certainly better than making statements/comparisons just based on on-paper measurements. If you spend the time to go and listen to different component combinations instead of looking at the specs, then your ears will be able to tell the difference. For example, I have heard the GE Reference speakers paired with other amps/preamps like McIntosh and Rogue tube amps and they sounded nowhere as hyper detailed and dry. Some people may prefer that sound.

I agree with you. In real life, there is no way we can have a fully controlled observation. The best we can do is a subjective comparison between different setup. For example, I cannot just walk into a dealer and demand that the dealer swap out multiple amps for a demo if each amps weight more than 100 lbs. There is no way he can swap and carry things around like that. 

Also, using KEF ref1s is my requirement. I am not going to exchange these speakers for anything else. 

I have tried active speakers and like none of them. So, they are way outside of the discussion. 

"How can you make statements in regards to amplifier performance/musicality when you are not using the same speakers to compare them (and maybe not even in the same room)?"

You have a fair point in principle but its certainly better than making statements/comparisons just based on on-paper measurements. If you spend the time to go and listen to different component combinations instead of looking at the specs, then your ears will be able to tell the difference. For example, I have heard the GE Reference speakers paired with other amps/preamps like McIntosh and Rogue tube amps and they sounded nowhere as hyper detailed and dry. Some people may prefer that sound. 

But if you love those KEF speakers, then consider this $4kUSD GaN-based Technics integrated amp that includes a GaN FET driver stage:
https://www.technics.com/us/products/grand-class-g30/network-audio-amplifier-su-g30.html
A review is available at this link:
https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/amplifier/integrated-amplifiers/technics-su-g30-network-audio-am...

I would get a nice pair of ATC active monitors, say SCM25A's for about $8kUSD from sweetwater sound. Get rid of the KEF's and forget getting another amp. Think about a preamp with the savings.

Depending upon your wattage needs, I would recommend either a Hegel H190 or a Hegel H360 (which I own).  Just fantastic, musical, dynamic, detailed, and resolving amps.  H190 is $4000 which outputs 150w per channel @8 ohms and the H360 is $5700 and outputs 250w per channel also at 8 ohms.  Can drive any speaker.  Read the reviews.

@viethluu

What I was getting at is that the rule of thumb is that the speakers (including subs if you have) should make up no less than 1/2 your total system price. You are not anywhere close to meeting this. If you bought some/all used, then that throws it off, but you should get where I’m coming from. The difference between a $10000 speaker vs a $1000 speaker are much more apparent than a $10000 integrated amp vs a $1000 integrated amp.

@kalali 
 
How can you make statements in regards to amplifier performance/musicality when you are not using the same speakers to compare them (and maybe not even in the same room)? 

Marantz PM 10 has Ncore module from Hypex for power section but not sure how good is its pre department. If you are not tight on your budget, get a Pass Labs INT 150.

I wouldn’t be too quick to eliminate options just based on on-paper specs. If that were the case, no one would be buying any tube components. That aside, I’ve only heard two of the components on your list, Marantz PM10 and the ML383 - as well as ML585, but not with KEFs. The PM10 was paired with the Golden Ear Reference and I found the sound hyper-detailed for my taste. Great for the first 10-15 minutes but I felt it lacked musicality. The ML383 was paired with several different speakers including Revel Studio, Harbeth 30.1, and a Paradigm - not sure about the model. It sounded dynamic, musical, and extremely fluid almost regardless of the speakers. The ML585 sounded very similar to the ML383 but it seemed to have a slightly better bass response. If you like the Levinson sound, you’ll not be disappointed with either the ML383 or ML585. You can pick up a used ML585 within your budget.
Good luck.

P.S. I would add T+A elektroakustik HV Series integrated to the list. They seem to get great reviews.

yes, I am willing to spend anywhere around $8,000-$9,000 for an integrated amp if it is good enough.

I currently have a separate system consisted of ARC preamp + Mark Levinson 27.5. These sound great except that they have to go cause I am moving to a smaller apartment, and we simply don't have space for them anymore. Plus, my wife does not want to see some bulky amp + preamp sitting on top of our tv stand :(

Base on your suggestion though, I will cross the Lyngdorf off my list.

One more amp I am also looking at is the Mcintosh MA5300 Integrated Amplifier. I wonder how it is going to sound, comparing to other int. solution. 

$8000 integrated for $8000 speakers?

Lyngdorf tdai 3400
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-lyngdorf-tdai-...

Not good enough for even 16Bit (though music playing will mask it), plus super poor channel matching in regards to noise.


Yamaha AS3000
Specs even state it’s not good enough for 16Bit (again, music will mask the noise/distortion); that’s however at max output, so we don’t know how it performs at say 50W.

Marantz PM10
If it’s similar/better to the Marantz PM-KI-Pearl that Stereophile reviewer/measured, its excellent (and right about good enough for 16Bit with no masking needed).

Mark Levinson integrated 383
Close to the Marantz PM-KI-Pearl 

I mean, being limited to an integrated is the main issue. A $250 SMSL SU-8 DAC/Pre paired with a $1500 stereo Hypex amp assembled by James Romeyn would easily outperform all those on your list.