2. amps-preamps
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My last Integrated Amp: $5-10,000?

I would like to hear recommendations regarding integrated amplifiers costing between $5-10,000. This will be my last amplifier for quite a while. I prefer to buy used when I can but also prefer no older that 2-3 years.  My speakers are likely to change every couple of years and I may keep more than one pair.

I like a detailed and transparent sound with air and the ability to easily to pick out the location of the instruments/singers.   I have liked the class A that I’ve heard and I’ve liked the tubes that I’ve heard but I don’t want to mess with tubes.  Also, I do not want a streaming device and I’d rather not have a built in DAC but I can live with it. 

My music preferences are vocals and 70-90s rock. 
So far I have identified the following possibilities that are available.
Mark Levinson: No 585 at $8400 and ML-5805 at $6550.  The latter is a new model and I have read that there have been teething problems. I don’t know if ML have corrected this situation. 
Luxman L-590AXII $7250  has a good reputation and longevity but is relatively low powered.

McIntosh MA5300, Coda CISB, and Gryphon Diablo 120 are also possibilities if available.

chinook9
headphonedreams
527 posts
 

I would also add Bryston B-135 cubed to your list.

If you want to keep the price down the Moonriver Audio Ref integrated is only $5k new and has great reviews. Said to drive most speakers really well. I’ve heard it with a Focal Kanta 3.

 

If you switch speakers a lot you should probably try to find an amp that can drive almost anything.

I think I heard the Bladelius Oden a few months ago and according to the specs it should handle all speakers as it outputs 2x400w into 8 ohm. It is a bit outside your price range but might be worth looking up.

https://highfidelity.pl/@main-998&lang=en

inscrutable
313 posts
 

Lots of choices … Luxman gets a lot of love here, deservedly so, … but … if future speakers could be a demanding load, current-hungry, etc I would consider a Plinius. They are biased heavily into class A, but have a lot of power and current available, stable into low impedances. 

ryder
1,690 posts
 

but … if future speakers could be a demanding load, current-hungry, etc I would consider a Plinius. They are biased heavily into class A, but have a lot of power and current available, stable into low impedances.

 

Plinius is less detailed and refined than Luxman. It sounds warmer with a thick heavy bass but with reduced clarity. My experience was with the SA-100mk3 and the Hautonga received the same remarks.

budburma
345 posts
 

Yeah, depends on speakers. I love Plinius amps with Dynaudio (Esp Confidence series) and it sounds vwery good with Tannoy, but thick and dark with Daedalus. For integrated though, only the amp side of Plinius gets my love, the preamp side not so much.

So many choices....at least you eliminated tubes for the gang....

SS: I'd second Luxman, Simaudio, Ayre, and add also Sugden for Class A -especially if you live in MN or ND or Anchorage....

I've not heard the Modwright, but it looks pretty great and i'm loving his KWA150SE.

Hybrid (why not!): Pathos and BAT.....

nickb
12 posts
 

Hey Chinook9,

Did you receive that Coda amp yet? 

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