2. amps-preamps
  3. 1136848549

Is There any Truly "High End" Integrated Amp?


I'm a reasonably well experienced audio nut and have tried a number of "good" integrated amps. I wonder, though, if there are integrated amps that are good enough for the "best", most revealing speakers. (Think Avalon Eidolon, Verity Parsifal, various JM Lab Utopias, and a variety of other fine speakers that do not have mammoth power requirements.)

People talk about the Levinson, the Musical Fidelity KW-500 and the lesser MF amps, the BAT integrated, The Rowland Concerto, etc. etc. etc.

I would like to hear from people who have actually tried the top tier of integrated amps and would be very interested in learning of their findings.

Don't need to be the most expensive. Could be the YBA Passion, Classe, MacIntosh 6900, Krell 400i, or any of a number of integrated amps that are supposed to sound good.

Hope to hear some good feedback.

Thanks very much.
Ag insider logo xs@2xjprice
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jprice OP
50 posts
 

I have recently heard some very good things about the new Gamut DI-150 integrated amp that was introduced at CES. Is anyone familiar with that amp?

It is supposed to be a combination of the Gamut D-200 Mark III amplifier and the D3 PreAmp on one chassis. The pictures look very good and the test reports from England & Norway that are listed on the Gamut web site ( http://www.gamutaudio.com/ ) are excellent.

I'd certainly appreciate any feedback on this amp if anyone has seen or tried it.

Many thanks.
tmhaudio
121 posts
 
We are introducing some VERY high-end SET (845) amps from Italy - New Audio Frontiers. The integrated has 2 versions (20 & 25w/ch) including custom, hand-wound silver/copper litz transformers. Extraordinary sound and build quality! Think Ongaku!!!

Jim Ricketts
www.tmhaudio.com
ral
124 posts
 
Integrated hybrids with tubes in the preamp section and transistors in the output are the best compromise for sound, convenience, damping factor, etc, IMO. Pathos Logos is one of my favorite, but as usual tube rolling is crucial for optimization.
mandmdec
7 posts
 
Try the Edge G3, around 5K...the GamuT is around
9-10K.Positive-feedback.com is getting a DI-150 for review soon, a well as a pair of L-5's.
brianmch
2 posts
 
Have you heard the Brinkmann integrated? I know that it's hard to find, but you should give it a listen if possible. I'd rate it in a league above the Pathos, Sim I-5 le, and Ayre integrateds.
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