My Triad of Integrateds


Whenever someone says they are looking for an integrated, I think they should try brands:

  • Luxman
  • Pass
  • Ayre
  • Arcam (actually a lot like Ayre to my ears)


Because I hear them as quite different sounding. What about you? Is there a constellation of integrateds you think buyers should experience?
erik_squires
 A-Analogue was a suggestion based on my personal extensive audio journey, it’s a great amp and nobody can say otherwise without listening to it. As simple as that.

So far those sarcastic childish comments on AA are what they are - childish. I do realize for some folks having Pass or Luxman  is all it takes, but still there are facts and wishful thinking.

 

 
@hasmarto 


I recognize and genuinely respect your amplifier choice, AA makes wonderful gear and your Maestro is by all accounts exceptional. The older AA stuff I heard many years ago is too far from my aural memory to comment on. It will be beneficial to the brand here in North America to establish and support an appropriate and stable distribution channel. I hope that is the case.

In order to stay on topic, my triad of integrateds with tubes and solid state co-mingled, decidedly not taking into account speaker selection, is as follows:

Affordable pricing:
Leben CS300x
Naim
Primaluna

Higher priced:
Dartzeel
Leben CS600
Nagra Classic Integrated



The Absolare Altius integrated is the best I’ve ever heard. Frighteningly real. It has a tube preamp stage and SS amp stage. Super minimal. This company deserves more attention. 
j
The seldom mentioned (for reasons beyond me) Marantz products, particularly their reference line.
Pm 14s1 or older pm 15s1....$3000, or for under $1500, not much can touch the rogue sphinx v2 in my opinion. For $1200 you should listen to the Marantz pm8006, wow...super amp. As far as pass labs, although not an integrated, I'd love to own a first watt j2...paired with maybe one of rogue's excellent preamps....maybe some day.