My quest: an integrated with great imaging. Help


My listening room is also my family room, so the WAF dictates that I do a neat installation with the fewest components possible. Currently I'm using a Sim Audio I-5 integrated which seems to be excellent. However, I often wonder if another brand/model will do the 3-D thing even better...imaging is first on my personal list of attributes. Can you suggest an integrated that I should listen to? My requirements include a remote control (volume control would be adequate); it could be tube or solid state. My speakers are Tyler Linbrook Monitors with 90 - 92 dB efficiency and I sit about 10' from each. I usually play classical, pop vocal, show music, nothing harder than Dire Straits at "moderately loud" levels. Thank you.
pendragn
I'm with Cornfedboy on this one. The Twin Towers is a very nice piece of equipment. And, I'm a firm believer in the magic of tubes. However, you already have a really good integrated with the Moon. You don't mention what ic's or speaker cables you are using. That might (or might not--depending on what you are already using) be a more cost effective way to upgrade. You also don't mention what you are using for a source, and unless it's already top notch, that will definitely make a difference. So, unless everything else is already sota, I would keep the Linbrooks and the Moon and look at the rest of the system.
i would check out the new YBA Passion Integre ($4500). 100 wpc w/ remote. i really like YBA stuff...great quality and great sound. i was very impressed with a YBA 1 amplifier that i demoed. VERY good imaging and pretty deep soundstage. the YBA is the most tubey SS stuff i've heard.

i haven't heard the new YBA integrated yet (it's just out) but i bet it's gonna be nice.

s2k
When someone mentions WAF, I automatically think that your speaker positioning isn't optimal. I have a couple of friends with great components that have systems that sound mediocre. The soundstage especially suffers from the speaker placement in their systems. I agree that the Pathos is an awesome amp, but the Moon is highly regarded too. I would first check my speaker position, then your source. BTW, what are you using for CD player or turntable? The source can make a huge difference in soundstage. I have had a couple of reference DVD players that were ok tonally, but suffered in imaging/soundstage. My Arcam Alpha 9 or Theta Miles are MUCH better. Outboard DAC with DVD player was also a huge improvement.

Enjoy,

TIC
Thanks, guys. I appreciate the input y'all have provided so far. To answer cfb's questions: sources are Cary CD-303 player and McIntosh MR-77 FM tuner; cables are Silver Audio Bullets (1/2M) CD --> amp, and Audioquest AQ-8s (8 ft.) bi-wired to the Linbrook Monitors.
I agree with cfb and Reubent, good imaging is more a function of the listening room and speaker placement than anything else-- assuming decent equipment and wire(s). Your Sim Audio I-5 is a well regarded component. Good Luck. Craig.