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Amp recommendation -- McIntosh, Luxman, Yamaha

My system now is a Benchmark DAC3L and AHB2 with standalone phono stage for Technics SL-1200GR.

I want to simplify my system and I think a solid integrated will do that (reduce to almost one box)
Interested to possibly use 2 pairs of speakers and A/B them.
Interested to drive a separate power amp (probably tubes) with the same unit.

I'm looking at the Yamaha AS-2200 and Luxman L-507uXII which pretty much fit all the requirements:
Both allow 2 pairs of speakers. MM and MC carts. Preamp out with ability to toggle speakers off. Nice meters.
The McIntosh MA-5300 is another option, it throws in a DAC but lacks MC capability and dual speakers.
Has anyone heard these and compared?

I've got a range of speakers, some vintage JBL L36, JBL 4412 and Klipsch Quartets.
I'm in the process of building Troels Graveson Faital 3WC and Ekta MK2 which will likely be my long term speakers. None are too difficult to drive.

Only interested in additional recommendations if they have similar set of capabilites as above and are in similar range (~$6K and under).
itsikhefez
itsikhefez OP
63 posts
 
Thanks for the comments. The frontrunner for me was indeed the Luxman L-507uxII, I just needed the final push and some validation.

I'm a huge fan of vintage Japanese electronics, I've got a Yamaha CA-1000, Sansui AU-717 and AU-999 (and had some others along the way), and built some tube amps with Tango transformers.

In the future I'll connect a lower powered tube power amp and drive it from the pre-outs.
ei001h
275 posts
 
Luxman by far. But the best Luxman integrated is 590, pure class A, look into that, its slightly more money though. 
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
luxman and mcintosh are at one tier, one can quibble about the nature of differences of how they present the music (the unaware should also note that luxman and mac both make tube and solid state units... they sound very different within each of the brand lineups due to the different topologies... )

yamaha is a lower tier of sound quality
stephenm789
9 posts
 
Am i out of line, hegel 390 ??
itsikhefez OP
63 posts
 
Well, the 390 lacks phono inputs and dual speakers so it doesnt quite meet those requirements.
That aside, the internal layout and wiring is such a mess, I don't know why they would put that on the product page.
My DIY projects are cleaner and nicer looking.
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