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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.
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clivet
38 posts
 
I would have to say,KARAN ACOUSTICS.The KAI-180 replaced my CAT ULTIMATE MK3/ART AUDIO JOTA SINGLE ENDED combo.Fantastic sound.
gliderguider's avatar
gliderguider
294 posts
 
I think my Audion Silver Night MkII PX25 counts as "truly high end". However, amps with that basic accolade can differ all over the map in capability, and all require sympathetic systems to bring out their star qualities. The Audion's 6 watts might not sound quite so high end on a pair of big JM Labs Utopias, but in a system with the right speakers and source, they are worth their price.
kops's avatar
kops
478 posts
 
Just heard seriously (for 4days in house) the new Krell FBI, is by far the best integrated I've heard, delicacy, sweetness, power, "sunny" without glare or harshness.............. also Gryphon Diablo was in but came second, waiting ASR emiterII to end my best integrated quest.
avantgarde
57 posts
 
Goldmund 330 Integrated
bwright
14 posts
 
I'd say yes. I have been auditioning high end integrated amps for some time now, and like the rest of us, have been looking for one with the perfect balance of detail & warmth.

These the most interesting I have heard thus far:

McIntosh MA2275 (tube) - A truly balanced sound - I can understand why they charge so much, as you'll have no need for separates. A great combination of tube flavor with a detailed solid state leaning. Easy to listen to for hours, and it can handle a variety of musical genres. Best all around integrated amp I have heard so far.

Simaudio I-5 (solid state) - Detailed without the ear surgery edge - used ones are an incredible value - an all-around great performer. A bit mellow on the bass/impact side, although the new I-5.3 is supposedly going to address this.

Marantz PM-11S1 (solid state) - This is a really interesting integrated amp from their Reference series, and I'm surprised it hasn't received more attention in the press. Laid back, tightly detailed, but insanely musical with the right recordings.

I have also auditioned Krell, Manley, PrimaLuna, Pathos, Arcam, Musical Fidelity and others - and have a few more to go (Unico, Ayre, etc.). All are excellent in their own right, but these three really stood out.
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