Integrated Amps

**Cody@TARA** · January 12, 2015, 03:14 PM

Hello! Lately the TARA Labs listeningroom has been playing with a Behold Gentle G192 Media Player, whichalso functions as an power amp, preamp, and contains a number ofother features. While it is a very impressive device, it got methinking about our usual setups primarily consisting of separatecomponents. Personally I have always leaned toward separates, toavoid compromises that may arise due to compacting all of theequipment in to one package. I would enjoy hearing others thoughtsregarding their preferences. Anyone here using an integratedamplifier that they love?

**Mike** · January 12, 2015, 03:15 PM

Yes. Musical Fidelity NuVista 800. Doesn't sound like an integrated at all. Beautiful hybrid design. BUT....if I change speakers (currently Dali Epicon 8's), I MIGHT change amplification to better suit the new speakers (whatever those might be).

**Hiker** · January 12, 2015, 03:21 PM

Other than power(loudness), I can't hear any difference between current McIntosh amps and pre-amps.

**arthurs** · January 12, 2015, 03:47 PM

I have a Dartzeel CTH-8550 that is to date my favorite solid state amp and a Line Magnetic 219IA that is to date my favorite tube based amp. While I think there may be benefits to be gained with the right separates, and that search continues, several good separate setups have been sent packing by either of these integrated amplifiers....

**joeinid** · January 12, 2015, 05:32 PM

I have to admit that I absolutely love my Jolida Fusion 3502. It sounds amazing and cost next to nothing in the grand scheme of things. 50 wpc of wonderful EL-34 tube goodness. It takes all tubes up to and including KT-150's and is a breeze to bias. One XLR input and several RCA inputs with remote on\off.

**bzr** · January 12, 2015, 11:15 PM

The PrimaLuna Dialogue HP Integrated is another bargain that hits way above it's weight!

**KeithR** · January 13, 2015, 01:25 AM

My DarTZeel CTH-8550 replaced separates and have no reason to go back.

**Zero** · January 13, 2015, 01:55 AM

I'm a pretty big fan of integrated amplifiers, and have been using the Karan Acoustic KA-I 180 integrated since 2009.

**rbbert** · January 13, 2015, 09:53 AM

Many if not most of today's integrated amps aimed at audiophiles are basic amplifiers with what amounts to an impedance buffer and a passive volume control, no extra gain stages. Unless you need the extra power from bigger basic amps and active pre-amps, or you want to keep your speaker cables really short its hard for me to see an advantage in more complexity.

**Justlisten2** · February 6, 2015, 09:40 AM

I'm living simply and happily with my VAC Sigma 160i integrated amp.

**Mike** · February 6, 2015, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by Justlisten2

I'm living simply and happily with my VAC Sigma 160i integrated amp.

Any thoughts on upgrading to the SE model?

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**Myles B. Astor** · February 6, 2015, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Any thoughts on upgrading to the SE model?

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The NY VAC/NOLA distributor had the SE version driving the NOLAs at the recent NY Audio Show. The sound was very good.

**Justlisten2** · February 6, 2015, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Any thoughts on upgrading to the SE model?

Maybe someday Mike, not at this point in time. Funds are low at the moment due to system reconfiguration.
Out of curiousity, how does the SE model differ, and at what cost?

**BeerCan** · February 8, 2015, 12:18 AM

I am using a Unison Unico and just ordered a Luxman integrated. Lately I feel the need to simplify my audio gear and have started selling off my separates.

**nile49** · February 8, 2015, 02:00 AM

I'm using a Luxman 590aX and am quite satisfied with it. I'll probably post a little write up on the piece in the next day or two.

**bzr** · February 8, 2015, 02:10 AM

Originally Posted by nile49

I'm using a Luxman 590aX and am quite satisfied with it. I'll probably post a little write up on the piece in the next day or two.

Please do, I was just looking at that the other day.

I'm another that will put their vote with the Line Magnetic 219ia, these are beasts! I've got 89db speakers & this integrated has the furniture vibrating at 24w

**jlv** · February 8, 2015, 04:25 AM

The Ongaku (which is an integrated) replaced pre and Nagra VPA mono blocks 845 and now way I can go back...

**bzr** · February 8, 2015, 04:29 AM

Originally Posted by jlv

The Ongaku (which is an integrated) replaced pre and Nagra VPA mono blocks 845 and now way I can go back...

.... Righto then, group buy..

**nile49** · February 11, 2015, 01:11 AM

bzr

I Posted a little write up on the Luxman in its own thread.

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**bzr** · February 11, 2015, 02:02 AM

Originally Posted by nile49

bzr

I Posted a little write up on the Luxman in its own thread.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

..thanks.

**Everest Audio** · February 11, 2015, 09:17 AM

Just hooked up the new Hegel H160 integrated into the system yesterday. This is one of the most exciting integrated amps I've played with. While it has 150W per channel into 8 ohms vs the H300's 250W, that amount of power is going to be plenty for most people. However, the game-changer here is the Ethernet input. My computer and NAS are in another room with all my music on the NAS and my computer with a solid state drive running Jriver serving up the music with Ethernet going to the H160 as a renderer. Previously, I had the Ethernet going to an Oppo as a renderer and the digital out of the Oppo going to the Hegel H300. I've also tried the Bel Canto REFStream Ethernet Renderer which was fantastic and planned on putting one in the system. However, you can't beat the combo of what the H160 provides for the money. It's too early to tell where everything will settle in at once it is broken in. There's enough power on tap and great bass control. The DAC seems like it will probably be in a similar quality range to what was in the H300. However, using the Ethernet input definitely takes things up a notch. Then, the addition of their Apple Airplay for streaming TIDAL takes the cake. I was using an Android app called Bubble UpNp to stream TIDAL to my renderer, but their implementation of Apple Airplay with this device seems like a killer solution for TIDAL.

Anyways, I'm guessing that the performance I'll get at the end will be superior to what I was using with the H300 because of the inclusion of the Ethernet input on the H160. Very exciting times in audio these days.

**Mike** · February 11, 2015, 09:59 AM

Exciting! Hegel makes terrific gear.

**CDLehner** · February 11, 2015, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Exciting! Hegel makes terrific gear.

I was actually not crazy, about the little 70 & 80 IAs I tried; but it might have been speaker synergy.

Liking the HD12 DAC plenty so far.

**audionirvana** · February 12, 2015, 12:20 AM

I use the Teac in my office which is a Wolf in Sheep clothing, as they make the Esoteric brand as well, very well made and sonically pretty amazing. On the more beefier side of things the MF KW-500 Int. Amp has been my go to Int. Amp and it makes any speaker sound good, sonically one of the better Int. Amps I have had in my system and I have had a ton of them.

**Dpod4** · February 12, 2015, 02:58 AM

Originally Posted by audionirvana

I use the Teac in my office which is a Wolf in Sheep clothing, as they make the Esoteric brand as well, very well made and sonically pretty amazing. On the more beefier side of things the MF KW-500 Int. Amp has been my go to Int. Amp and it makes any speaker sound good, sonically one of the better Int. Amps I have had in my system and I have had a ton of them.

One of the most musically compelling systems I have heard was the mf kw500 driving a pair of dynaudio special 25s. Magic

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**Zero** · February 12, 2015, 11:18 AM

Hegel gear is very pleasantly voiced. It's tough not to like em'.

**jaxwired** · February 12, 2015, 10:24 PM

Love integrateds. Devialet man right now, but the MF nuvista is on my radar.

**audionirvana** · February 13, 2015, 12:35 AM

Jax: I have owned older Nuvista gear, nice stuff.... I even owned the TriVista gear by MF.. Out of the bunch the KW-500 stood out, ironically I had a KW-500 sold it to a doctor and 4 years later with him barely using it he sold it back to me for $2200 bucks which was a steal. I am not letting it go again!

Dpod4: I am with you, however a dead tie for me as far as systems go was the KW-500 Int. Amp and a Threshold T-800D along with a Threshold T2 pre/amp to this day two of the best equipment systems I have had.

**Dpod4** · February 13, 2015, 01:50 AM

Originally Posted by audionirvana

Jax: I have owned older Nuvista gear, nice stuff.... I even owned the TriVista gear by MF.. Out of the bunch the KW-500 stood out, ironically I had a KW-500 sold it to a doctor and 4 years later with him barely using it he sold it back to me for $2200 bucks which was a steal. I am not letting it go again!

Dpod4: I am with you, however a dead tie for me as far as systems go was the KW-500 Int. Amp and a Threshold T-800D along with a Threshold T2 pre/amp to this day two of the best equipment systems I have had.

I heard the MF and dynaudios at a high end dealer in Seattle about 11-12 years ago. That sound and the sound from my teenage system (Maggie speakers driven by a modified Hafler amp) are two of the benchmark sounds I keep in my mind as reference points. I currently have a constellation amp driving Magicos which offers quite a bit of performance but at a much higher price point. That's one reason I remember the MF / Dynaudios ...performance to price was extreme.

**SQ13Z** · March 13, 2015, 11:37 PM

Hi, need some help here. I have narrowed down to MF M6500i or the Hegel H300. Any opinion on both amps as the MF is about 1+k more expensive. Am.using a Kef LS50 but will upgrade in the future. Hence wants to get an amp with enough juice.

For the price, I can also consider the MF M6PRX or Job 250 mono with a pre.

What are your thoughts and recommendations?

I do have a Zanden amp and Airtight pre but looking for SS amps to pair with HT.

**JBLfan** · March 15, 2015, 11:53 AM

I am a long term MF fan (KW 500 & A1008 integrated's) who has recently become a Hegel addict (H80 & H160)

Hegel and MF voice differently and both are excellent units - personal preference should be your guide.

In my case I stream lot's of digital content and the onboard DAC in the Hegel is excellent - something to think about depending on your source components.

Good luck.

**Mike** · March 15, 2015, 12:14 PM

I had both in my system and felt the Hegel H300 just had way too much bass, but had great separation and huge deep 3D soundstage.. The MF was much leaner in the bass and not as 3D. The MF had more meat on the bones and seemed to be more toe tapping to me.

Man, tough call. What speakers are you looking to upgrade to? That may help the decision.

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**Bachtoven** · March 15, 2015, 09:27 PM

I love my new Pass Labs INT-150. It's more revealing than my previous Marantz/Parasound combo. It might look a bit industrial, but I'd prefer they put the bulk of the effort into the sound and construction.

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