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Integrated Amps - another thread...

Ok, I am going to start looking for an integrated amp that meets my needs.  Let me tell you a little about me and my system...

I was an early R&D person (not technical; rather, sound) at Cary Audio, in the very beginning.  I have been in the audio world for 35 years.  My current system consists of: MacBook Pro > Schiit Modi 3 > Rega Brio > to modified ADS &L780/2 Speakers.  All my PC, IC, and SC are hand made using the Helix Image model.  I also have a number of mechanical isolation things going on around the entire system.  Fairly good size room; however, I don't play really loud.

BTW, I'm one of the only people that has always believed in the sound of ADS speakers and still do...

My ultimate goal is to relplace the MacBook (the last change), Schiit Modi 3, and the Rega Brio.  The ADS aren't going anywhere.  They fit me!

I thought about separates; but, I think I want to stick with an Integrated Amp.  I don't really want an Integrated with a DAC (if it has one, then so be it).  I would to keep it around 3K, if possible.  No really wanting to get back into tubes nd I'm comfortable trying Class D.

I listen 100% to Tidal and Quboz, via Roon, on my MacBook, to mostly late 50's early 60's Jazz.  I do listen to newer Jazz when I hear a good album.

So, throw out some suggestions, please...


caryking
larry5729's avatar
larry5729
1,009 posts
 
I wasn't that impressed with my ADS towers.  I thought the technology was dated because I purchased them in 1980.  The dealer allowed me to trade them in for a DAC.  Maybe I got dupped.

I have a pair of Paradigm Prestige 85F towers and I didn't realize they were 2 1/2 way speakers.  After I purchased them my friend sent me an article Why 3 way are better than 2 1/2 way.  We are no longer friends.  He helped me decide on the speakers I purchased.  I wish these had better tweeters.  I like to hear crisp sound symbols and these don't deliver.  My budget was $4,000 in order to get my wife to agree to buy them and I should have waited and purchased the SALK Song3 Encore's.  I wonder what speakers would be best in the $4,000 to $6,000 range.  However, I would need to get my wife to allow to purchase them.
rafevw
70 posts
 
I had a Simaudio Ace all-in-one integrated amp that I liked very much. It had a nice phono stage in it that sounded very good to me. Yes, it has a DAC, something that you said you do not need. I have never heard the Modi 3 that you have, so I have no frame of reference to your setup. I liked the Simaudio DAC (the majority of my listening is streaming). I thought that it sounded slightly better than the built-in DAC that resides in my Innuos Zen Mini. I once did an A-B comparison with a Chord Qutest in a home trial and thought that the Qutest sounded no better than the Simaudio’s DAC. I have never heard your speakers. I have Dali 5 floor standers. There is an Ace on US Audiomart for $2100.00. I have no conflicts of interest at all. I traded up to the Simaudio 600i because I thought I needed more power, silly me, considering that I play at relatively low volumes, and I have significant hearing loss. Also, I lost the phono stage and the DAC with the 600i (!), but the 600i is a beast. I now covet something with tone controls for low volume listening (used Luxman maybe), or perhaps DSP like a Lyngdorf, but that’s my First World problem. Good luck! I hope that this is of some use to you.
caryking OP
22 posts
 
Larry, I’ve owned a ton of speakers going back some time ago,  they range from ADS, Acoustats, Magnepan, Celestion, Vandersteen, B&W, Theil, and others...  for some reason, I keep going back to ADS.  Do some of the newer speakers have better resolution, extended top end, tighter bass, etc... yes, they do.  Again, I come back to ADS.  Now, mine are modified with updated cross-over parts, wire, post, etc.

I can change speakers; however, I just don’t want to...
caryking OP
22 posts
 
rafevw, thanks for the response...  I am changing the DAC as well.  I do not want an integrated with an onboard DAC, because, if anything that might change for the better, it’s going to be DAC’s.

I know I can bypass the DAC on an onboard integrated; however, it just seams right to not have it.  Perhaps I’m wrong.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,046 posts
 
we displayed the ADS 2030 biamped w Hafler amps…. I understand where your head and heart are at. The marantz is good..certainly worth a listen.

i agree ith your demo / buy ethics.

for tubes used the Rogue, VTL, Quickie , CJ, ARC used are all good. IF you are not listening very loud the EL-34 VTL is a sweetheart of an amp. w ADS engineering a fairly benign crossover load and efficiency, you might also get away w light loading the output transformers…much tube sonics depend on the quality of the outputransformer…

for SS, Ayre, Electrocompaniet , nAIM ( Atom or Star ) would fix your streamer issue also. The 40 wpc Atom is a real mule kicker…I am biased

https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/7100

have fun

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