Integrated amp: Component weight

Hi @cundare2 

i am sure all back surgery different.  My first replaced two lumbar discs, and I was laid up 5 weeks.  I could get up and down steps though.  My second replaced two cervical discs and had II had a laminectomy and foramenotomy  of two more lumbar discs.  This has been much easier, out of action for one weeK.  Good luck!

 I have had the benchmarks in for direct comparison in my system, and they were dry and sterile compared to my Audionet Max amps by far.  Of course they are smaller and less expensive. Again good luck.   I like your Ayre thinking.  Let us know!

What associated equipment was in your system when you were evaluating the Benchmarks? Are you talking about the LA4 and AHB2?

If I went that route, I’d probably add a DAC3 and some third-party streamer, so I’d be getting into the $15,000 range, not including interconnects and power cords. At this point, weight, SQ, and connectivity are more important than cost, though. (Within reason, of course!)

Glad to hear that your surgery went well overall.  I'm looking at something similar, both upper & lower spine, but at this point, have no idea what to expect.  It's hard to find good surgeons in this state, at least on a par with the best in places like NYC, Boston, or Chicago, so I'm hesitant to pull the trigger.  But I definitely don't want to have to deal with a hundred-pound chunk of iron in the house if & when I do have to go under the knife.

@petar3

Actually, if I went with Hegel, the model I'd be most interested in would be the H590, currently selling for about half the price of its H600 replacement, which would leave plenty of room for an external DAC/streamer to replace what is reputed to be the 590's not-so-great internal DAC.  I'm sure that this would be a great fit with my system.  Unfortunately, the weight would be an issue.

I just heard the Line Magnetics integrated tube amplifier 22wpc. Simply stunning.  Transformers are what makes it sing.  $4800 and you will fall in love.

Happy Listening.

Im all about the weight. Many praise the Benchmark AHB2 that weighs 5lbs. No way will I buy something like that. It all about the heft imo.