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Looking for integrated w/ good dynamics kick

A little background first...

A few years ago I picked up an Anthem Integrated 2 (bipolar amplification w/ tubed 6922 preamp stage) and until it gave out (transformer went bad) and had to be replaced I never realized how amazingly dynamic the unit was. Excellent punch in the bass region.

So this past year I went ahead and replaced it with a Simaudio Moon I-5 which was a nice amp. After a while though I decided that I wanted something with at least a tubed preamp stage to 'smooth' things out. The I-5 reminded me of the sterility of having an all solid state setup though the bass was decent.

The I-5 was sold and my current amp is a Valve Audio Predator which is supposedly rated at 200wpc, but it seems a little light on the bass. Admittedly the Predator bests the I-5 in detail and absolutely smokes the Anthem Integrated 2 in that regard as well. It is extremely smooth sounding but the dynamics in the low end have not been satisfying.

It would be nice to stick with an integrated but at this performance and price point (~$1800) there aren't many options, let alone hybrids. What would be a nice combination or integrated that offers the smoothness and detail of the Predator w/ the dynamics that the Anthem offered?

Speakers are Audio Physic Tempo IV's and DAC is an MHDT Paradisea+. The source is an Echo Gina24 via coax spdif out playing back FLAC from a PC.
jeenam
cft
19 posts
 
Hallo Jeenam
I had a Valve Audio Exclame and still have a Predator for two years. I have no problems with bass responce - I think it is a very good amp all round.
Did you play around with speaker placement, etc? - I am not familiar with the Tempo's. My speakers is Vandersteen 2CE & Quattro.
Regards
musicmann's avatar
musicmann
21 posts
 
Musical Fidelity 308A
mordante
511 posts
 
Symphonic Line RG9/RG10 2nd hand. I own a Symphonic Line and ist not bass shy to MY ears. The La Musica that I own is a bit smoother then a RG9 or 10 I think. The amps don't turn out 100's of watts but inless you play at concert sounds levels most people don't need 100+ watts.
tobias
1,534 posts
 
I thought my old tube power amps were bass shy until I put them on solid maple platforms and the platforms on the floor next to my rack. The platforms sat on soft footers and the amps were on brass cones spiked directly into the maple. What a nice difference across the board, not just bass... but I got the bass I wanted too.
celtic66
1,653 posts
 
Sugden. I've never owned an integrated with so much quickness, punch and still sweet delivery of vocals and acoustic piano. I own the A21SE.
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