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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
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,807 posts
 

we specialize in integrated amplifiers 

 

the coda csib was the best sounding integrated under 10k it bested the Luxman 

a bit more 2500 this integrated beats the Levinson it is exactly what you seek amazing resolution a warn presentation outstanding German build quality.

the krell k300i is also terrific 

 

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect NJ

coda, t+A, krell dealers.

 

hgeifman
2,239 posts
 

@audiotroy, It seems the Coda CSiB Integrated Amplifier is available in a V3, V2 and a V1 versions. Each version has a different wattage output (400, 250 and 150). I understand the wattage differences but what are the sound quality differences between the 3 versions? Thanks.

yyzsantabarbara
4,887 posts
 

If you want more of the class A smooth sound, then go with a KRELL K-300i over the CSiB. I owned both, including CSiB V1. I ended up with CODA and KRELL separates because I liked the K-300i and CSiB a lot.

 

I also thought the older ML 585 was better than the newer ML  5805. I think the DAC in the newer integrated maybe better than the old 585.

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