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Integrateds: Why do they all SUCK?

I’m trying to find a HIGH QUALITY integrated that has:
1. A no-corners-cut real class A - A/B power stage.
2. A real, high quality analog preamp line stage.
3. A good phono stage.

Aside from a few very high end products, the above described integrateds seem not to exist. Why can’t I find a quality integrated? Do we just have to accept having a pile of boxes?
madavid0
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greginnh
382 posts
 
@scaresta - I totally agree with you.  I own an E-600 (office rig) and it's a great piece.   OP has not stated a budget so it might be beyond his price threshold. 
mr_m
1,900 posts
 
Wolf_garcia

In other words, I think I am, therefore I am, I think......
keithr
1,306 posts
 
The DarTZeel integrated has everything you are looking for and sounds spectacular. My only qualm on the phono stage is with very low LOMC it sounded better with SUT.

In tube land, the new Vac coming out could be the equivalent on the other side.

jafant's avatar
jafant
19,833 posts
 

grantgg -


I like the older Creek models, not very powerful, very musical.

Happy Listening!

95dyna
15 posts
 
Look no further than the Esoteric F-05. I just collapsed my 5 piece bryston 7B SST2’s, BP-26, and Ray Samuels audio F-117 phono stage into this one piece. Did so after auditioning the new bryston 4B 3 and BP 17 Cubed series which are getting rave reviews. The Esoteric F-05 sounded clearly Superior to me on my Focal Sopra2’s and it has a balanced fixed level output which I will use to connect my headphone amp. Not Looking Back.
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