Best Integrated, period.

I just took delivery on the new Exemplar/LSA Statement Plus integrated amp. Frankly, I have never heard anything better. Whatever John Tucker is doing to this integrated 150 watt amp, it is shockingly good.

Jayh31, I heard and read the same before I bought the LFD Spirolink I and the LFD Hybrid Ribbon speaker cable pairs. Most of this reading came from the usual suspects (LFD dealers).

You have to let your own ears guide your decision based on comparisons to whatever it is that you have now. For me, the LFD Spirolink was a step up from the Tara Labs (Quantum III) I had been satisfyingly using for over a decade with several other amps (Acoustat TNT-120, ARC 100.2, Anthem Statement A2 and finally the LFD Mk IV). The Spirolinks were such a positive experience that in under a month, I purchased a pair of the LFD Hybrid Ribbons in England and these remain in my system now. It was a $350 learning experience (see listing lol). Have not heard the Nordost, so can't comment there.

Thanks again Frederick. You're right, trusting our own ears goes along way toward cutting through the hype. I've used Nordost cables for years moving up through their line with a number of different systems and find them to be very neutral, i.e, not seeming to impart much if any, particular personality or colouration to the sound. That said, just passed the 200 hr or so point with the NCSE and has really begun to settle in and sounds great, so I don't think I'll be looking to change cables anytime soon. BTW, I don't believe in the last twenty plus years of being seriously involved with this hobby have I ever come across a component that was as responsive to a break-in period as the NCSE. Thanks again

Pathos TT

Jayh31
I don't believe in the last twenty plus years of being seriously involved with this hobby have I ever come across a component that was as responsive to a break-in period as the NCSE.

If you ever get a component with Teflon capacitors you might update your opinion. Regarding cables synergy with LFD, you might be surprised with the latest DNM IC's and speaker cables. I'm owner of an NCSE approaching four years of service and have used a bunch of LFD cables to include the Grainless IC's, the Spirolink I and III, and the Hybrid Speaker cables. I still own the Hybrids. The changes incorporated into the latest NCSE are very minor, so original NCSE owners can skip the version II envy. There I said it. Cheers.