Searching for an Integrated with DAC

[Dizzie]

I am searching for an integrated amplifier and the list of possibles is astonishingly short. I know I have a lot of criteria but that is what I need to get me to open my wallet and take out my plastic. Have I missed any possibilities? Thanks for any suggestions and information on performance.

Criteria:
SS or small signal tubes only
DAC included
No more than 40 pounds
MSRP < $12,000
Excellent performance

Amps I have considered (in alphabetical order):
Devialet 200
JRDG Continuum S2
MicroMega M-One 150 (not available yet)

[asiufy]

Hegel H360 (a bit heavier at 45lbs), or H160. Everything else, check.

darTZeel LHC-208. By far the best you'll find at this category (integrated with DAC). MSRP is $15k, though.

Both have DACs with all sorts of inputs, *plus* a network streamer built-in.

Since you're in Cali, perhaps we can help...


cheers,
alex

[Mike Lavigne]

Hegel H360 (a bit heavier at 45lbs), or H160. Everything else, check.

darTZeel LHC-208. By far the best you'll find at this category (integrated with DAC). MSRP is $15k, though.

Both have DACs with all sorts of inputs, *plus* a network streamer built-in.

Since you're in Cali, perhaps we can help...


cheers,
alex

+1 on the dart LHC-208. I've spent a good amount of time listening to it and it's superb sounding; as a preamp using an outboard phono stage it was excellent......the amplifier is really really good, and the dac is also outstanding.

and swiss built like a tank.

[Mike]

What speakers?

[Toomey]

Spec integrated amp, tubelike

[jdandy]

Mark Levinson 585. $12,000





http://tooloud.co/mark-levinson-no-5...ted-amplifier/

[Dizzie]

Thanks guys.

Dartzeel: I could raise my price for exceptional performance. Website has no information. What are they thinking? Please tell me it comes in other colors.

Spec: Fairly obscure company. I can't find an integrated on their website.

Mark Levinson 585: Almost twice my max weight limit and over twice my preferred weight. 585 is 72 pounds for the unit and 96 pounds shipped. My goal is weight reduction and system simplification not herniation and disc rupture. Not to mention my wobbly knee.

Hegel 360: Possible but my 40 pound max was already stretching what I preferred. I will keep this on on my possibles list but not high on the list due to weight.

[tunes]

A less expensive but still heavy (60lbs) option is magnum dynalab's md309 integrated with DAC.


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[Joe P]

Thanks guys.

Dartzeel: I could raise my price for exceptional performance. Website has no information. What are they thinking? Please tell me it comes in other colors.

Spec: Fairly obscure company. I can't find an integrated on their website.

Mark Levinson 585: Almost twice my max weight limit and over twice my preferred weight. 585 is 72 pounds for the unit and 96 pounds shipped. My goal is weight reduction and system simplification not herniation and disc rupture. Not to mention my wobbly knee.

Hegel 360: Possible but my 40 pound max was already stretching what I preferred. I will keep this on on my possibles list but not high on the list due to weight.

These are all integrated amps: http://spec-corp.co.jp/e/audio/RSA-F33EX/index.html
http://spec-corp.co.jp/e/audio/RSA-717EX/index.html

Specs on the Dartzeel here:
http://www.absolutesounds.com/pdf/ma...N1015_4web.pdf

[Dizzie]

These are all integrated amps: http://spec-corp.co.jp/e/audio/RSA-F33EX/index.html
http://spec-corp.co.jp/e/audio/RSA-717EX/index.html

But no DAC.

[wisnon]

Thanks guys.

Dartzeel: I could raise my price for exceptional performance. Website has no information. What are they thinking? Please tell me it comes in other colors.

Spec: Fairly obscure company. I can't find an integrated on their website.

Mark Levinson 585: Almost twice my max weight limit and over twice my preferred weight. 585 is 72 pounds for the unit and 96 pounds shipped. My goal is weight reduction and system simplification not herniation and disc rupture. Not to mention my wobbly knee.

Hegel 360: Possible but my 40 pound max was already stretching what I preferred. I will keep this on on my possibles list but not high on the list due to weight.

They cant keep up with supply.

I know the owner well and have been to his house several times. The product is a killer. Nuff said.

[Dizzie]

They cant keep up with supply.

I know the owner well and have been to his house several times. The product is a killer. Nuff said.

Norman, They = Who?

[MikeCh]

Light in weight and flexible design:

Gato - http://www.gato-audio.com/list_integratedamps.php

[wisnon]

Norman, They = Who?

The company Dartzeel.
Dream gear.

[Joe P]

The company Dartzeel.
Dream gear.

It may sound like a dream, but looks like a nightmare:

[wisnon]

It looks much better in real life.

[kiwi_1282001]

It may sound like a dream, but looks like a nightmare:

Must agree, what was Dartzeel thinking?


Dizzie, the new integrated with DAC will be driving what speakers?

[bzr]

It may sound like a dream, but looks like a nightmare:

My thoughts too. Looks like a bad acid trip when someone dropped the soap in the shower!

[Anatta]

If low weight is very important, nothing can beat the Devialet.

Other options would be the Chord CPM 2800 mk2 (Hugo/2Qute DAC inside)

http://www.chordelectronics.co.uk/pr...info.asp?id=55






Or the Bladelius Thor Mk3 Novitas, but it's over 40 lbs.

http://www.bladelius.com/products/bl...or-mk-iii.html

[BayStBroker]

There certainly are nothing like Blue Circle integrated amplifiers in the high-end world: http://www.bluecircle.com/page158.html. Hand made by the designer using point-to-point wiring, hand made stepped mechanical attenuator. It meets your weight requirement but has no DAC. At under $5,000, you'd have enough to buy an Auralic Vega or one of the exaSound products. Let's face it, the DAC onboard an integrated is going to be a cost burden for the manufacturer and won't stand up to stand-alone units. Has there ever been a time when a DAC can make a bigger difference. (Maybe the early days of CD?) Of course, the Devialet is a miracle of design and innovation.

[Zero]

I reviewed the first iteration of the Blue Circle DAR many moons ago. It was a great piece, and Gilbert was a great character (and I mean character!!) to work with.

[Randy Myers]

Two others which are rated as Giant Killers that you might want to research are...

Wyred 4 Sound.... have gotten The Absolute Sound Editer's Choice award the previous 3 years... fit your criteria accept much lower budget... also built here in California... Atascadero.... https://www.wyred4sound.com/products

Another being the Goldmund (from Switzerland) Job Integrated.... http://www.jobsys.com/index.htm. Goldmund only sells the Job line straight factory direct...

Just a couple thoughts....

[Dizzie]

Thanks everybody. I am paying attention.

I am rethinking the DAC requirement. It makes a lot of sense to not include a DAC but some manufacturers have done an excellent job of incorporating a DAC and enjoy system synergies.

Low weight is important, but not the lowest weight.

Performance "outweighs" weight.

Current speakers are Quad ESL-2805s. Second pair TBD.
I look forward to attending T.H.E. Show Newport Beach and spending some money.

[Joe P]

Here's another one:

http://vinnierossi.com/lio-integrated-mosfet-amplifier/

[Randy Myers]

Well if you don't need the built in DAC then that opens up the flagship Wyred 4 Sound. At only about $3000 they are amazing built and sounding. I recently purchased their pre-amp and it is the best sounding pre-amp I have ever heard. 6Moons was directly comparing against Esoteric at 6-7 times their price.

I was at their factory when I picked up my pre-amp and I can assure you they are hand made in the United States. They even are backed with 5 year warranties.

their customer service is beyond amazing... I had a quick question, sent an e-mail and received a response back within a half an hour.... and THEY ACTUALLY ANSWER THEIR PHONE ...

[Dizzie]

Well if you don't need the built in DAC then that opens up the flagship Wyred 4 Sound. At only about $3000 they are amazing built and sounding. I recently purchased their pre-amp and it is the best sounding pre-amp I have ever heard. 6Moons was directly comparing against Esoteric at 6-7 times their price.

I was at their factory when I picked up my pre-amp and I can assure you they are hand made in the United States. They even are backed with 5 year warranties.

their customer service is beyond amazing... I had a quick question, sent an e-mail and received a response back within a half an hour.... and THEY ACTUALLY ANSWER THEIR PHONE ...

Thanks Randy, Plus they are coming out with a new Statement Series.

[Randy Myers]

I was not aware of the Statement Series.... where did you find out about this? I am interested in the headphone amp they are coming out with later this year ... So far I have been very impressed with the pre-amp... and it is not even broken in yet ...

I like made in US and like made in my back yard even better .... I was surprised when I started researching them and then found out that I drive right by their factory on my way to work....

[Randy Myers]

I just looked up the statement series. Looks good! Sounds like a no brainer to me.... you should get the statement series when they come out, or if you can't wait grab the STP-SE and the ST 500 mkII .... well in your budget and the best sound/built you can probably get in your budget ....

And if you don't want to wait you can place your order and make a trip down to the Central Coast a few days later and pick it up yourself ....

[Dizzie]

I just looked up the statement series. Looks good! Sounds like a no brainer to me.... you should get the statement series when they come out, or if you can't wait grab the STP-SE and the ST 500 mkII .... well in your budget and the best sound/built you can probably get in your budget ....

And if you don't want to wait you can place your order and make a trip down to the Central Coast a few days later and pick it up yourself ....

Picture here: http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/20...kef-blade-two/

[Randy Myers]

Yea, that is one of the ones I found.... and as a KEF fan from way back ....... match made in heaven... best soundstage I have ever heard in a pre-amp... just like the Goldmund.... and KEF.... holy crap... W4S is great sounding great built gear!

[wisnon]

My thoughts too. Looks like a bad acid trip when someone dropped the soap in the shower!

I am pretty confident that it will slaughter all others mentioned in this thread. Nuff said.

[JJinID]

The ModWright KWI-200 is a great sounding integrated and has options for DAC and/or Phono preamp built in.

[Dizzie]

The ModWright KWI-200 is a great sounding integrated and has options for DAC and/or Phono preamp built in.

It weighs 55 pounds. If I could handle that much weight I could keep my current amps.

[Anatta]

Another option at $9.5k and 32 lbs, no DAC inside though, would be the T+A PA2500R.

[Zero]

The Karan Acoustic KA-i 180 MK II is pretty damned nice. It's musical, powerful, bodes well with numerous loudspeaker types, and is transparent enough to show you what's really going on. The only downside? No DAC, and it breaches your 40lb "limit" by a literal couple lbs.

[Mike]

Dizzy - this would be my pick:

http://micromega.com/en/products/m1-range/




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[JJinID]

It weighs 55 pounds. If I could handle that much weight I could keep my current amps.

Ok, you are right. I didn't remember it being quite that heavy when I auditioned it. Of course I'm used to lugging around my MC501s...

[Joe P]

Special on the Micromega AS-400:

http://www.underwoodhifi.com/specials

[JJinID]

Special on the Micromega AS-400:

http://www.underwoodhifi.com/specials

That looks like a terrific deal!

[Zero]

That's just.. disgusting.

[jahjahlove]

And why not a Bryston 135 sst3 ?

[Dizzie]

And why not a Bryston 135 sst3 ?

jahjahlove, Thank you. That is another possibility.

[CPP]

jahjahlove, Thank you. That is another possibility.

And the new 135 will have the new SST3 circuitry but the cosmetics will stay the same.

[Zero]

That Bryston integrated looks pretty interesting!

[Joe P]

The Chrome One:

http://hifipig.com/aaron-the-chrome-...d-amplifier-3/

[Mike]

The Chrome One:

http://hifipig.com/aaron-the-chrome-...d-amplifier-3/

Reminds me of Madonna.


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[CPP]

The Moon 700i looks nice

[Randy Myers]

Reminds me of Madonna.


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That is too funny!

[astrotoy]

If you want to save a lot of money and carry the amp in one hand, the NAD D3020 is $399. I have one for my second system. Very nice.

Larry