I would go with Pass INT-25. Its best integrated amplifier pass ever made. New industrial transistors (700A 2 per channel), huge heatsinks, heavily biased into class A, the simplest pre-amp topology (Wayne masterpiece). Herb Reichardt from stereophile liked it more compared to his xs + xa combo. Just give it a listen this amp. Incredible details and deep black ground, very open but not bright or fatigue sound (The luxman may sound to you a bit veiled when compared to INT-25). Plenty of power (don't let the specs fool you) I drive Sonus Faber Olympica 2 speakers with moderate sensitivity (88db) and benign impedance (3 ohms)
After years of separates, I'm going integrated. Anyone else do the same?
I'm rethinking my listening room. I want my audio rack to be more minimalist vs lots of boxes, wires, and clutter. I know separates, in general, will sound better. However, at the level of my system, I'm not certain the difference would be as apparent. In the grand scheme of things of Audiophilia, my level of components are mid-fi at best (BHK Pre, First Watt J2, Elac PPA-2 phono, Pro-ject s2 Dac, ZU Omen Defs)
I'm favoring one of the Luxman Class A's (I know Luxman is getting out of the Class A business. The only way I would favor a built-in Dac is if it were upgradable like McIntosh or Accuphase. I'm guessing a Luxman or Mac built-in phono would sound just as good as to what I have now (Elac PPA-2).
So the question is, who else has gone to integrated? Do you regret the move or are you glad you did?
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- 210 posts total
- 210 posts total