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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
jeenam OP
131 posts
 
Again, another follow-up on this amp with a few more comments.

I have now moved to a new space and it has made a HUGE difference in the sound. My previous listening room was around 12x19 w/ hardwood floors and one of the walls consisted of glass doors and a window that stretched from the floor to the ceiling. Long story short, the room made everything too bright sounding. The comments regarding the amp lacking dynamics/kick/punchy bass were shortsighted and not a fault of the Predator. The problem was the bright room all the gear was hooked up in. Carpeted flooring and not having an all glass wall (with no curtains covering the glass btw) has resulted in a very satisfied customer. If you're looking at picking up one of these on the used market do not hesitate. There's one floating around on the forums for sale now and at the asking price it will easily surpass the sound qualities of a Simaudio Moon I-5 integrated - there really is no comparison.
jeenam OP
131 posts
 
Cft - You were right, the problem was not the amp but the room. Damn rooms!
kclone's avatar
kclone
679 posts
 
You need to look into the Unison Research Unico SE. Better yet, there is a modded version. This amp has plenty of kick and is just a great integrated overall. Plenty of reviews you can look at.
jeenam OP
131 posts
 
Finally got a different pair of speakers hooked up to this beast of an integrated and OMFG.

The speakers are Mobile Fidelity OML-2 and the bass is thunderous. Guess those Audio Physic Tempo's were a bit wimpy on the low end. No need for a subwoofer with this set up now. Though I've picked up some Tube Audio Design gear it will be hard to part with this amp.

Haven't heard the Unison Unico but at this point there's no need for upgrading. Schalk (the man behind Valve Audio) knows how to build a damn fine sounding integrated.
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