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Search for miracle integrated

Hello All,

I'm on a search for a very specific type of integrated. I am upgrading my system from the top of the stream down. I go all digital / Lossless quality or higher so the logical start was with the DAC. I just received my Yggdrasil which I absolutely LOVE and feel that I got a much better value than I was expecting (even with all the praise online it met and exceeded my expectations).

My quest continues with the integrated. I am looking for a company that spends very little on marketing and works to move as much of the value for the money to the product itself. Very high value is important to me, I want to get value above the price and I don't want to pay for anything I don't need (such as a built-in DAC as I already have one). The more musical and the higher the clarity the better. My short list is pretty short- the SimAudio Moon 600i and Ayre's integrated.  Some other factors are below. I typically buy new but I'm open to a good value in a used product as well.

Budget (only for the integrated): $8K+/-
Music preference: classical, light rock, pop
End speakers:  It is between Accoustic Zen Crescendo / Vandy Quatros / Wilson Sophias / Revel Salon Ultimas 
Power: 150 WPC+ into 8 ohm

xerotrace
xerotrace OP
30 posts
 
Thanks for the awesome recommendations! I love the idea of the LIO but I wish it was stronger on the wattage side. PASS is definitely an option, I also like the idea of YBA- the passion integrated seems very cool and can be purchased without a DAC. 
inna
7,296 posts
 
Ther are no 'miracle integrateds', but if you wish to experience the best you have to go much higher in terms of cost and much wider in terms of brands. There are a few worth trying - Ypsilon, Absolare, Gryphon, VAC and others. Of what I mentioned VAC and lesser Gryphon are the least expensive, about $10k - $12k, and Ypsilon and Absolare are the most expensive, about $25k. Best Gryphon integrated is 300wt/ch/8ohm and is about $15k, I guess, and only available from dealers outside of the US.
Pass is probably the easiest and least expensive choice, YBA is very rare, 100wt/ch and you may not like its sound. Older Rowland Concentra II is 150wt/ch and might be perfect for you but is extremely difficult to find. 
xerotrace OP
30 posts
 
Thanks inna, Rowland is a very interesting option and it seems to check most of the boxes. I don't know much about the brand but I'll have to do my research on it. I wonder how it compares to the moon 600i for example? Thanks for putting the brand on my radar!
inna
7,296 posts
 
I have never heard anything negative about this Rowland. Rowland Concentra I, the original Concentra, is excellent too with 100wt/ch. Rowland has a sophisticated slightly laid-back on the warm side of neutrality sound. There is a good reason why almost no-one sells them. Whether it would have enough power drive and speed for your system and taste is another question. Concentar II should probably cost about $3.5k - $4k, Concentra I about $1k less.
whipsaw
758 posts
 
I owned a Rowland Concentra I for many years, and it was outstanding. Some caveats, though:

They run hot and are always on (no on/off switch).

According to some reliable sources here in Europe (where I now live), certain internal parts are sealed so that some capacitors cannot be replaced, and Rowland is unwilling to help independent technicians.

In other words, the user would be forced to send the unit to Rowland for the replacement of parts that would otherwise not be very expensive to replace. And remember, some of these amps are now drawing close to being 20 years old, and capacitors do degrade.

I have also heard other not-so-flattering things about their aftermarket support.

Again, I loved the Concentra, but given what I’ve now learned about their support, coupled with the difficulty of using other than authorized repair centers, I'm not sure that I would consider another.
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