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July 4, 2020, 04:09 AM #1
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- Nov 2017
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- Tokyo
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Magico A1 - recommendation for integrated USB amp?
Hi team,
I may invest in a pair of second hand Magico A1 for my B system to replace my trusted Kef LS50.
I am looking for a high quality integrated amp with USB input and integrated dac.
I could obviously go for another Devialet and I know it's going to sound amazing, but I am looking for a different experience.
I have short listed the Mcintosh MA5300. My question are:
- has someone tried this combo?
- what would be alternatives in a similar price range?
Thank you.
Cheers,
BernardRoom: Gik Acoustics | Vibration: Townshend pods | Power: Shunyata Omega XC + Everest + Sigma NR v2 + Sigma ground cables | Source: Mojo Audio DejaVu EVO linux server running Roon core (Raat) | Ethernet: Sonore Optical module + Melco S10 with dedicated LPS + Shunyata Omega Ethernet x 2| Synchronous digital (preferred signal path): Mutec MC-3 + USB (Paul Hynes LPS) + Cybershaft OP21A | Dac/Pre/Amplification: Devialet D1000 Pro CI (Chord Sarum T RCA-RCA link) | Speakers: Chord Sarum T + Wilson Benesch Act One Evolution P1
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July 4, 2020, 10:42 AM #2
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- Nov 2013
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- St. Louis, MO, USA
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Re: Magico A1 - recommendation for integrated USB amp?
You could try a Hegel 390, or if the price isn't right, go down a model. The Hegel sound will be more to neutral than the Mac though. Hegel's digital technology is typicaly cutting edge.
I'm not sure what pricing would be where you are but the Mark Levinson 5802 is excellent. The 5805 has the analog inputs if need. These amps power section are based off the 534 topology and really perform although the power rating into 8 ohms isn't huge. They provide a taste of the Levinson higher end gear.Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables
HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
SVS PC13 Ultra
Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer
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July 4, 2020, 10:58 AM #3
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- Dec 2019
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- USA
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- 786
Re: Magico A1 - recommendation for integrated USB amp?
IMO, the Mac won't bring out all the magic in the Magcios. IMO, Magicos needs a greater tier amp.
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July 4, 2020, 12:23 PM #4
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- Dec 2017
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- Paris - France
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Re: Magico A1 - recommendation for integrated USB amp?
Hello,
The AYRE EX-8 is a good option. Or the soulution 330 at a more expensive price, which is excellent. Both work very well, we have tried them on the A1. They have a good integrated DAC with a USB port and a network connection too.
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July 4, 2020, 02:32 PM #5
Re: Magico A1 - recommendation for integrated USB amp?
Naim Unity Star or Unity Nova, Ayre EX 8, Brinkmann Voltaire,
Gesendet von iPad mit Tapatalk
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July 4, 2020, 04:55 PM #6
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- Nov 2017
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- Tokyo
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Re: Magico A1 - recommendation for integrated USB amp?
Thank you ver much for the inputs, it looks like the cute blue meters won’t cut it. :-)
Regarding Mark Levinson, I found a perfect condition second hand no585 at a suitable price point (not the current 585.5), meaning similar to a new Hegel H390 and cheaper than the Ayre EX-8 with hub.
How would the no585 work?
Thank you.
Regards,
Bernard
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July 4, 2020, 05:12 PM #7
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- Dec 2019
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- USA
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- 786
Re: Magico A1 - recommendation for integrated USB amp?
A set of blue meters that would work is Pass Labs INT-60 or INT-250. They work very well with Magico. But you'd still have to get a DAC...
INT-60
https://www.passlabs.com/products/int-60/
INT-250
https://www.passlabs.com/products/int-250/
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July 4, 2020, 06:12 PM #8
Re: Magico A1 - recommendation for integrated USB amp?
DPT4ME - Dynamics, Presence & Tone for Musical Engagement; MBP (3) - stripped down for music only; Shunyata Omega & Sigma USBs; ISO REGEN w/short Curious USB links; Berkeley Alpha USB; Aqua La Scala II Optologic DAC; Schiit Yggdrasil - fully updated; Ayre Codex dac - updated; Pass Labs INT-60 integrated amp; Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE-2 preamp, Quicksilver Mono 120 amps w/Tung-Sol KT150s; Quicksilver Mid Mono amps w/Gold Lion KT77s; Fyne Audio 703s; Symposium Svelte Plus & Ultra Platforms; REL S-812 subwoofers; Duelund DCA12GA speaker cables; AV Room Service EVPs, Stein Music Harmonizers, Duelund DCA16GA & 20GA ICs; Shunyata Denali 6000S/V2; Tripp Lite PCs; Wyred 4 Sound power cords; AudioDharma cable cooker; dedicated custom room; various GIK & ASC room treatments; etc.
www.getbettersound.com
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July 4, 2020, 06:16 PM #9
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- Nov 2017
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- Tokyo
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July 6, 2020, 11:16 AM #10
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- St. Louis, MO, USA
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Re: Magico A1 - recommendation for integrated USB amp?
The 585 should do fine IMO. It has a nice DAC and sound, good amount of power. The amp section is based off the 532h, fast and clean. Stereophile has a review of 585 as well as others.
Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables
HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
SVS PC13 Ultra
Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer
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July 6, 2020, 07:35 PM #11
- Join Date
- Nov 2017
- Location
- Tokyo
- Posts
- 145
Re: Magico A1 - recommendation for integrated USB amp?
Thanks a lot, much appreciated!
Room: Gik Acoustics | Vibration: Townshend pods | Power: Shunyata Omega XC + Everest + Sigma NR v2 + Sigma ground cables | Source: Mojo Audio DejaVu EVO linux server running Roon core (Raat) | Ethernet: Sonore Optical module + Melco S10 with dedicated LPS + Shunyata Omega Ethernet x 2| Synchronous digital (preferred signal path): Mutec MC-3 + USB (Paul Hynes LPS) + Cybershaft OP21A | Dac/Pre/Amplification: Devialet D1000 Pro CI (Chord Sarum T RCA-RCA link) | Speakers: Chord Sarum T + Wilson Benesch Act One Evolution P1
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July 31, 2020, 12:09 PM #12
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- Apr 2020
- Location
- Goleta, CA
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- 30
Re: Magico A1 - recommendation for integrated USB amp?
The ML 585 is amazing on the A3. My understanding is that the 585 is even better than the 5000 series except a little less of a DAC. Only issue for me is the size of the unit.
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August 11, 2020, 06:01 AM #13
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- Nov 2017
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- Tokyo
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- 145
Re: Magico A1 - recommendation for integrated USB amp?
Thanks again for your help. In the end I went for the safe option since I could find a well priced Devialet 220 CI on the second hand market.
Predictably it drives the A1s like a champ. Killer bass thanks to the SAM profile and totally transparent sound.
Cheers,
BernardRoom: Gik Acoustics | Vibration: Townshend pods | Power: Shunyata Omega XC + Everest + Sigma NR v2 + Sigma ground cables | Source: Mojo Audio DejaVu EVO linux server running Roon core (Raat) | Ethernet: Sonore Optical module + Melco S10 with dedicated LPS + Shunyata Omega Ethernet x 2| Synchronous digital (preferred signal path): Mutec MC-3 + USB (Paul Hynes LPS) + Cybershaft OP21A | Dac/Pre/Amplification: Devialet D1000 Pro CI (Chord Sarum T RCA-RCA link) | Speakers: Chord Sarum T + Wilson Benesch Act One Evolution P1
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September 23, 2020, 10:27 PM #14
- Join Date
- Nov 2017
- Location
- Tokyo
- Posts
- 145
Re: Magico A1 - recommendation for integrated USB amp?
I understand that Devialet isn't the most popular brand in these parts, but for anyone interested it sounds really good with the Magico A1s.
The addition of a JCAT XE card in the Mac Pro 2019 I use as Roon end point and Shunyata Sigma USB cable in the coming days should further improve the level of performance of this very compact little system.Room: Gik Acoustics | Vibration: Townshend pods | Power: Shunyata Omega XC + Everest + Sigma NR v2 + Sigma ground cables | Source: Mojo Audio DejaVu EVO linux server running Roon core (Raat) | Ethernet: Sonore Optical module + Melco S10 with dedicated LPS + Shunyata Omega Ethernet x 2| Synchronous digital (preferred signal path): Mutec MC-3 + USB (Paul Hynes LPS) + Cybershaft OP21A | Dac/Pre/Amplification: Devialet D1000 Pro CI (Chord Sarum T RCA-RCA link) | Speakers: Chord Sarum T + Wilson Benesch Act One Evolution P1
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September 23, 2020, 10:41 PM #15
Re: Magico A1 - recommendation for integrated USB amp?
Gryphon Diablo 120 with DAC module. Gryphon is known to match well with Magico.
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September 28, 2020, 10:03 PM #16
- Join Date
- Nov 2017
- Location
- Tokyo
- Posts
- 145
Re: Magico A1 - recommendation for integrated USB amp?
Room: Gik Acoustics | Vibration: Townshend pods | Power: Shunyata Omega XC + Everest + Sigma NR v2 + Sigma ground cables | Source: Mojo Audio DejaVu EVO linux server running Roon core (Raat) | Ethernet: Sonore Optical module + Melco S10 with dedicated LPS + Shunyata Omega Ethernet x 2| Synchronous digital (preferred signal path): Mutec MC-3 + USB (Paul Hynes LPS) + Cybershaft OP21A | Dac/Pre/Amplification: Devialet D1000 Pro CI (Chord Sarum T RCA-RCA link) | Speakers: Chord Sarum T + Wilson Benesch Act One Evolution P1
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