All-in-one integrated, 10-15K range, class A/B only

@speedbump6 


You misinterpreted my post. I'm not saying Hegel can't hang, they very well might be able to. The most glowing review of the Hegel 590 (I think it was soundstage but I dont remember) I saw came from a reviewer who already owned a 390 and also had a Hegel dac. I remember thinking to myself that that was probably the right guy for Hegel to get to review the 590 amp so he could communicate the differences. I also remember thinking to myself that I hoped he wasn't a "captive" reviewer...natural jump to a conclusion. Likely unfair on my part.

Listen, I hope the Hegel is great. I too was trying to answer the OP's question and was trying to do it from a position of this is what I've personally experienced. I have heard the McIntosh and summarily dismissed it. It was not very good and the dac section is, well, just meh. I made an incorrect assumption that you had heard the Hegel and the McIntosh because you were listing them as alternatives and since I had heard the McIntosh and it sounded mid-fi, I unfairly lumped in the Hegel. My bad.

Peace.

I’ve only read one review on the Mac, and it didn’t sound great either, but was just listi g for the OP. After the gushing review I first read on the Hegel, I went to look for more, as you never know if they could be a fan boy as you suggested. I found quite a few, some English, an Australian one, a few in the US , and they all seemed to say the same thing, when it’s that overwhelming I start to take notice. It sounds like the Dac alone is worthy of the price of admission, and the rest was equally as good. The one thing they did all ding it one, is a look that matched the price, the painted logo and same look they use on their lower priced models didn’t give an image of luxury, but in the end the sound is all that matters. Not as  much WAF involved with an amp as there is with speakers. 

A lot at this price point, especially demo/pre-owned.  Vitus RI-101 a must listen at your upper price range, it has a DAC/streamer option.  Gryphon 120 or 300 are also solid choices.

Feedback on the new Boulder 866 amp.. Holy Grail ?

https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/boulder-866-integrated

Holy grail is strong...and polarizing.

I was contacted by someone via private message who recently purchased a 866 and replaced a Gryphon. He or she may or may not post but that is high praise. Once again, there is some great gear out there and so many are upping their game to compete. We end users are the beneficiaries.  

It will be interesting to see what comes in both the marketplace and the fallout of the Covid-19 related disruptions. The Boulder is pretty special, whether it floats anyone's boat is the fun of this hobby.