Separates vs Integrated

I was a Krell aficionado for years, well maintaining a KSA 300s and KRC HR recapping them every 5 years.  On my last recap schedule my Krell dealer provided me with a Burmester 032 integrated amplifier a customer of his was selling as a loaner until service was completed   Within 15 minutes of him leaving with my Krells, I was on the phone with him saying he was not getting the Burmester back, negotiating a deal for him to keep the Krells and for me to purchase the Burmester.  Gone was the dark, heavy Krell signature sound.   It was replaced with a clarity I never experienced before.  That clarity was achieved with an a tube like midrange and treble but without tube like thickness. Compared to tubes I have experience with and with my old Krells, there was improved speed, transient response, leading edge, micro & macro dynamics, imaging and soundstage.  Of particular note was improved retrieval of secondary harmonics, decay, and ambience retrieval similar to good tubes I have heard such as AR, but in a SS platform. i did not loose anything in bass response even though I went from 300 to 105 WPC into 8 ohms.  My speakers are not that efficient (87db) but there is no issue in driving them. There are not many pro reviews on the 032 but the 911 power amp is well reviewed and describes the Burmester sound as I have described.  It has all the inputs anyone will need. I do not know your budget. It is expensive.  A used 032 will run $10 to $12k.  New is $25k.  If you can afford new, it is not a good buy unless you get a discount.  A new model, the 232 is coming out with integrated DAC/Streamer.  Other good integrated include offerings for Bolder, CH Precision, D’Augostino.  Todays top of the line integrateds are more than competitive and perhaps equal or better to separates. 

jsalerno277

the older Krell gear is not as good as the newer gear I used to work at a Burmeister dealer great gear but its signature could be too cool for some listeners the key is synergy and if your speakers were too warm warm the the Burmeister would be a better match.

and unless you spend  20k or above the ops current system with a few tweaks would outperform most integrated amplifiers.

Dave and Troy

Audio Intellect NJ.

To my ears the CODA 07x is too warm and noisy. I owned it for a year,

It’s that synergy that has me wonder about a high end integrated vs what I have.

Well that’s just a total non starter. If you can’t be more specific about what specific improvements you’re looking for, even people who happen to own your pre and amp will have absolutely no idea of which directions you’re looking to go. In short, this is a total crapshoot because nobody knows where you’re aiming and we don’t have crystal balls here. I could throw out manufacturers like Gryphon, Vitus, etc. but it means nothing because I’ve absolutely no idea what you’re looking for. Do you understand how this is an utter waste of time for anyone who actually cares and wants to put some thought into making a meaningful recommendation here? I wish you luck, but short of you being able to provide at least any idea of what you’re looking for besides just “synergy” this is just a total shot in the dark and an utter waste of time.

@audiotroy 

I cannot comment on new Krell.  I have not auditioned them in my on system. I compared the Burmester to the Krell models I had.   I do not find Burmester equipment cool.  It provides clarity without artificial chill . I find the house sound sweet with natural timbre, and highly detailed without an overly extended treble which some manufacturers use to increase detail.  Use cymbal reproduction as an example, or soprano sibilance.  I find the 032 one of the best at these tests.  

Yes, personal taste in SQ and complete system synergy is critical.  Yes, I can see where you state it would not be match for speakers that have midrange troughs or treble peaks.  However, I consider myself lucky to have very good, (balanced and cohesive from 30 to 20k Hz) speakers (Vivid Giya G3s) that I feel are synergistic with the 032, as well as paying attention to setup detail (except for my small home and poor room that I cannot change). The beauty of this hobby is we all have personal SQ preferences, and synergy mandates we all should audition in our own systems.  To each our own.  In conclusion, the 032, along with the Bolder, CH, and D’Agostino integrated offerings are some of the best SS offerings I have auditioned, I find more than competitive with separates.