Best integrated ever made ?

Amazing description Badwisdom - I'm looking forward to read part 3. Actually, I saw a review of the Maestro in a German audio magazine (Stereoplay or Audio, can't remember anymore) a couple of month ago. Although, they liked it a lot there were still some integrateds with higher rankings than the Maestro (Gryphon Callisto 2200 and ASR Emitter come to mind). Still, it seems to be a pretty nice amp.

@Mcp1: I was surprised to read your description of the Pathos. With regard to design, I find it the most stunningly beautiful amplifier. Previous reviews and comments, I read about it, however, described it often as a tad too neutral (albeit praising it as a very fine amp). I plan to upgrade my Sim Audio I-5 somtime (because it's a bit too neutral too - I want to give tubes a try) and didn't consider the Pathos as an option because of that.

There is a review of the AA Maestro in the most recent HiFi+. They basically liked it, stating that while powerful, it does not behave like a 'muscle amp', rather "its strengths lie more in the delicacy and natural presentation, normally the domain of much lower powered designs - the difference being that it will achieve this performance at realistic levels into almost any loudspeaker." Their main quibble was the fixed 100 ohm load on the MC stage, which can leave some cartridges sounding lifeless (they noted the Helikon). But, with the right cartridge, they said it sounded great. You should check out the write up.

Below is a link to review of the AA Maestro, I scanned thru it. As with most reviews, they had good things to say about it, but I didn't sense it was going to set the audio world on end. (It's price appears to be a good buy.)

http://www.hifiplus.com/t-rev12-1.html

Just read the review of the AA Maestro in HiFi+ mentioned above by Brian -- certainly a mixed review at best, and maybe even lukewarm. HiFi+ had a recent review (Issue 10) of the Lavardin IS integrated amp, a French product, which the reviewer described in nearly ecstatic terms. The Lavardin sells for considerably less than the Audio Analogue Maestro integrated, although it has less power, but the reviewer concluded the review of the Lavardin by saying: "If one day you are fortunate to hear one, the sheer scale, power, and beauty of its performance will impress itself into your memory, and it will remain there for the rest of your life!" Weighing the rave for the Lavardin against the qualified commentary for the AA Maestro leaves me wanting to see a second opinion on the Maestro.

Mark Levinson 383 !!