@mm1tt77 I recommend you demo a few integrated amps in your system if you can find a dealer that will let you bring the gear home. I demoed a pair of mono block amps and an integrated amp at two separate dealers and they didn’t sound to my liking at the dealers. I asked to bring them home and was shocked at how good they sounded at home. My buddy demoed the integrated at the dealer with me and he said it sounded so terrible to him that he wouldn’t have asked to bring it home because he didn’t feel it would improve that much at home. The dealer and I have the same exact speakers used for the demo, but different streamers, DAC, cables and the room of course. Well, my buddy came over to my house to demo the same integrated in question and really liked it. He said he couldn’t believe it was the same unit we demoed at the store. That long story is simple, get the gear in your setup and hear it for yourself. The debate about separates being superior to integrateds and vice-versa is not something I recommend you get caught up in. How does either one of the choices sound in your space is the key. I’ve gone back in forth with separates and integrateds, so I like both. BUT, there is no better experience than trying it for yourself. Yes, it can be tedious and difficult to get your hands on these products for in-home demos, but that’s the way to go.
I wanted to go back to an integrated after my experience with my Luxman L-509x that I sold. I regret selling the Luxman and it’s a long story as to why I sold it, but there was absolutely nothing wrong with the Luxman!
What I did, most recently, was narrow down all the integrateds that I was interested in. I had (3) integrateds of interest and the Luxman was 1 of 3 and I knew what it sounded like because I owned it, but they do have the new L-509z that’s supposed to be better.
1. D’Agostino Progression Integrated
2. Gryphon Diablo 333 Integrated
3. Luxman L-509z Integrated
I got the D’Agostino Progression for an in-home demo and I was DONE! I bought it used from the dealer with a warranty. This unit definitely had enough power and the creepy crawly details, but the sweetness I was after. I’ve had super detailed gear before, but after listening to a considerable amount of my music library, my ears would tighten at times with jazz ride cymbals and some jazz with trumpets, etc. Not so with the DAG!
Depending on the manufacturer, a well designed integrated will be hard to beat without spending a lot of money on separates.
Lastly, room acoustic treatments was a priority for me after so many years without using them. I have a lot of GIK treatments, but recently bought tube traps and wall panels from Acoustic Sciences Corp. (ASC). I plan to use them in my dedicated listening room upon completion in about 60 days.
Good luck!
