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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!

ezstreams
ghdprentice
7,289 posts
 

At 73 I want the very best sounding amp I have ever owned in my life. The dealer can bring it in and position it. If not the very best now, then when… or are we looking forward to our lives going downhill.

cherbib
50 posts
 

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.

bill_peloquin's avatar
bill_peloquin
47 posts
 

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.

docfletch
12 posts
 

I recommend PrimaLuna or Pass Labs. You can get a Pass INT 25 for less than $8K and be happy for the rest of your life (provided you don’t need to pre-amp or use a sub). Or, you can get PrimaLuna integrated and have as much fun with tubes as you want. I have both in my home; a PrimaLuna EVO 400 preamp with Pass XA 60.8’s in the main system, and a little PL EVO 100 integrated in my second system. The build quality of these components is the best I’ve seen, and I’ve seen a LOT over the past 40 years. And, most importantly, they pass the all-day listening test with flying colors. Check ‘em out! You’ll be glad you did. 

jlopes89
2 posts
 

My thinking is that perhaps you should consider reposting your impresssions on what you're looking for AFTER AXPONA. Also, for clarification:

  1. Not sure if your original post with an $8k budget is just for an integrated amp?
  2. Assuming that it is and assuming that you are fully satisfied with your other components, did you find that a particular mfg  impressed you most?
  3. There are many good mfgs providing different approaches to equipment (Tubes, class A, class A/B, Class D, hybrids). Is your search for an integrated solution set in stone or would an component preamp and power amp that does not overwhelm your expectation of your space requirements be acceptable?
  4. Has your shopping strategy changed after Axpona, meaning that are you still looking for an integrated amp or would shifting your budget, or part thereof, to say, speakers, make more sense? We all love listening to music, usually different genres at different times but as THE Audiophiliac professes, usually multiple pairs of speakers are optimal to satisfying the critical listener, each pair providing a differnet delivery that best suits the listener's choice of music genre.
  5. Do you use a DAC? Perhaps the consideration would be to include that in your equation.

Much to think about. I feel that Axpona provides a wealth of exposure, perhaps overwhelming at times, on the best on what's out there. But seriously, the prices are also overwhelming for many.. Yet, the experience provides a better perspective when going into the used market for your shopping, even for the budget shopper. Good luck  and perhaps we'll bump into each other unknowingly!!

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