After going through similar search / buy/ resell of 4 integrateds....I'm happily settled in on Bel Canto Class D integrated...an older model...but Class D today maybe be a good option to try...simple...smaller, lighter weight...and for me very well done audio.
Retirement integrated amp for a “fiscal conservative”…..Part 1: I have a plan
Again, I want to thank the many many members who provided their thoughts and insights to my original post on this subject!! The problem is (and its a good problem) you all provided a LOT of advice and recommendations; many diverse, some corroborating, and some conflicting options. I did a lot of reading on several of the integrateds y’all suggested and PM’d a few of you to better understand your thoughts. There are a lot of really smart people who support this Agon forum!! I have a lot more knowledge now, thank you
Which leads to the Plan:
1. Before spending up to $8,000 (my not yet wife approved budget) I need to confirm I can actually hear the sound qualities I’m missing in my current system. Having a 68 year old hearing system with tinnitus, this is a real question for me.
2. I’ve booked a room at the Schaumburg Hyatt for the upcoming AXPONA; a 9hr drive from Huntsville AL.
3. I’ve never attended an audio show, but its been on my bucket list for the past 5 years, so I’ll kill 2 birds with one stone (roadtrip)!
4. I realize that audio shows aren't the optimum listening environment, but if I can hear the sound qualities I’m missing there at the show; then game on identifying an integrated amp that will bring me closer in my system which will be Part 2 of the Plan 😀
5. I’ll start Part 2 there at the show listening to as many systems with integrateds in my price range (I’m fine with buying used and will factor that in to which amps I listen to). Yes, the associated equipment in the chain and the environment will be different than mine, but it will be a great place to start!!
And that’s part of the fun of this hobby/obsession (at least for me); planning and starting the next journey!
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@coltrane1 I hear you. But, that’s part of the fun, reading, talking to experts who may have similar experiences willing to share thoughts and advice, seeking and listening to equipment. That’s part of what makes this a community, right?! BTW, I worked with rocket scientists the first 18 years of my career and being detailed, compulsiveand overthinking everything is normal and essential in that line of work 😀 |
I'm also OLD. I've been in heavy civil work for 45+ years....extremely loud job sites with no hearing protection, ever. I've ridden, and continue to ride, race and performance motorcycles since I was a kid. I have some hearing loss, as you'd expect. however, I find Klipsch LaScala's driven by a Luxman MQ300B to be great at all volumes, and, Klipsch/Ojas driven by a Mac MA12000 to be similarly awesome at all levels. Sure, they both project power when given the beans, but they are remarkably adept at finesse during low volume listening. |
I am also OLD, 69. But not that old. I still rock out. Yes I have tinnitus. Yes I can hear the differences in equipment. Used is always the best way to get a better system for the money. I got a big system that adds up to about $60K retail for maybe half that. At $8,000 to spend I could build a pretty good system. The big thing is to match your speakers and power amp requirements. If you like high sensitivity speakers like 89dB you can get a reasonable low powered tube amp that sounds great. Primaluna is a great product for that and the tube sound is very good. In my big system I have 450 WPC for power hungry speakers that will rip the roof off the house. I just love this hobby. |
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