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Looking for a SS integrated Amplifier recommendation going into a new system

While waiting for a new speaker delivery, I have some time to start looking for a SS integrated amplifier, and hoping for some recommendations.

The speaker to pair with is Ascend Acoustics Sierra Tower with RAAL tweeter option that is around 91dB efficient, and the room size is 12x18x8.  I mostly listen to classical, jazz, female vocal, and the listening level normally is around 85dB, occasionally go up to 90dB.

I originally was looking for class-A integrated amplifier, but now would like to open the possibility to class-A/B as well to see what will be a good match for this new system I am putting together.

TIA
elan120
ryder
1,689 posts
 
It's great if you can afford the Gryphon or Vitus which are priced above $10k with the higher models costing up to $20k. The Luxman at below $10k is "Best Buy". Great value and great sound for your dollar.
oldaudiophile
307 posts
 
Just another 2 cent opinion. With those AMT tweeters and the dimensions of your sound room, I would recommend amplification that is a touch on the warm side, whether you go SS, tube or hybrid, especially if the sweet spot does not have any or much space behind the listener(s) (e. g.  chair or couch up against a wall, bookcase, etc.). Anything ruler flat accurate, I fear, will lead to listener fatigue in short order. McIntosh is a good bet, as well as Musical Fidelity, Luxman, Simaudio Moon and a few others. Good luck!
curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,639 posts
 
I just bought a Hegel H390 and am very pleased.  It has everything I need and is the quietest amp/integrated I have ever heard!  If you need more, the H590 might be good for you also.

All the best.

JD
steveinthebeach's avatar
steveinthebeach
7 posts
 
I would take a close look at the Hegel lineup. I have the H190 and I’m very pleased with it and how it marries up with my B&W 702s2 speakers. That said, if your budget is up to $10k the H390 appears to be the sweet spot in the offering.
soix
9,456 posts
 
mainly because I also plan to see how well they will drive my headphone that I listen to quite a bit.
If headphones are important, at this level I’d get a separate headphone amp as the ones included in integrateds — even the better ones — are relative afterthoughts and not anything special at best (amps matter for headphones too!).  When you can get a nice fully-balanced, Class-A headphone amp like the Singxer SA-1 for only $599 that’ll kick the crap out of any integrated’s headphone section, I can’t see using an integrated’s headphone section if you’re truly serious about headphone listening — and the SA-1 is small so not much of a space penalty for the level of benefit you’ll get.   Just my $0.02 FWIW. 

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