2. amps-preamps
  3. 167635-2975

British Integrated Amps

I have a great affinity for British gear.  I have owned many British speakers from ProAc, Celestion, Mission, Wharfedale, Tannoy, Mordaunt Short, KEF, Linn & Monitor Audio and they were all very musical sounding.

I had a Rega Planar 3 for over 25 years and much shorter stints with a Linn Basik/Akito arm, Thorens TD125 mkII w/Rega RB303 arm and now an Ariston RD80 SEL w/Jelco arm.

I have also owned several British integrateds:  Onix OA-21s, OA-20/2, OA-60, Creek 5050, 4330, Musical Fidelity B1, Rotel RA870 and maybe a couple others that escape me right now and I now have a Meridian 504 tuner.  

I particularly like the shoebox sized units, I just like the size and shape of them and that they don’t take up a lot of room.

Which British integrated amps have you owned, which were your favorites, which ones were overrated, overpriced and what speakers were you using with them that made them a yay or a nay?

Look forward to your comments!  Thanks!


128x128lou_setriodes
redwoodaudio
413 posts
 
They don't make integrateds as far as I know, but they are shoebox size or smaller and reputedly very musical: Crimson and DNM. British all the way. And not cheap. 

discnik
159 posts
 
I second the Musical Fidelity A-308 nomination - I've had one for several years, and after mating it with a pair of B&W CDM 9NTs, it does almosteverything right. The modest little Rotel RA-870 is also a great little amp that punched way above its class. After getting the A-308, my RA-870 is now doing duty in my computer system, with audio streamed through a lowlyParasound zDac.
lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes OP
681 posts
 
Well, I ended up picking up a shoe box sized Linn Majik I and so far so good. It’s very smooth sounding, I like it’s aesthetics and ease of operation. It doesn’t have a phono stage but I’ve read the ones that do have crosstalk with the built in phono stage.


I’m still considering other shoe box Brit int amps though from Meridian & Onix too.
mr_m
1,900 posts
 
Check out the latest LFD integrateds. Very nice sound.
lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes OP
681 posts
 
Thanks mr_m, but I’m fancying these shoe box sized integrated because I’m moving overseas soon and just like the form factor of them and the fact that they are so good sounding and don’t take up lots of room either.

I had a good lead on an Onix OA21 but passed on it because it’s not dual voltage and I’d rather not have to run a SUT if I don’t have to. Someone will be a very happy customer if they pick this unit up that’s on USAM now.

To that end, I also will soon be getting a Meridian 551 to match my 504 tuner and really look forward to hearing it. 

Today, I received an after market remote from Italy for the Linn Majik I and it changes the stations on my Meridian tuner but does not work the Linn at all. Hoping it will work the Meridian 551 when it arrives next week :)
More to discover