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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
worldwidewholesales
135 posts
 
Hi,

My vote goes to the stunning Audiozen Alchemy built in Italy. We have only tested over 50 different integrated amplifiers. We do want to point out that we are now the North American distributor for Audiozen because this integrated beat our $16000 reference integrated in every area.

Cheers,
simao's avatar
simao
1,822 posts
 
I have to chime in with the LSA Statement. It's under your $8K range but it's a hybrid with a tube pre- and a dual mono SS output. Retailed originally for $11K and incredibly reviewed. No built in DAC or any other extraneous elements. Made my Maggies, my AZ Adagios, Reference 3A's sing like no other.
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,719 posts
 
worldwidewholesales-

what is your $16K reference integrated?
arsh
367 posts
 
Consider a used Musical Fidelity NuVista 800 (13k new). No one talks about it, but it is phenomenal. Would be in your price range used. One (very big and heavy) box, plenty of power to drive any speaker, and good aesthetics (IMHO). 
soix
9,542 posts
 
I'm surprised no one has mentioned this so far, but I'd highly recommend at least nailing down if not outright purchasing your speakers first.  At this level all the integrateds you'd consider will be very good.  The only remaining questions are which one sounds best TO YOU and, just as importantly, which one is better capable of driving and which sounds best to you with YOUR SPEAKERS.  Case in point, would one amp sound the best with both the AZs and the Vandys?  Maybe, but probably not.  They're very different designs and loads.  Anyway, just wanted to raise this as a potential issue, and best of luck in building a great system. 

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