Do you use an integrated in your main system?

Most of the products I stock are integrateds and darn fine at that. My TOTL unit is the Evolution 845:

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For an office, I'm thinking the new MastersounD BoX will be a GREAT solution. 35 watts of single ended goodness for a mere $3,000, including phono and remote:

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Drool. Love those integrated amps. :)

DSkip said:
Most of the products I stock are integrateds and darn fine at that. My TOTL unit is the Evolution 845:

attachment.php


For an office, I'm thinking the new MastersounD BoX will be a GREAT solution. 35 watts of single ended goodness for a mere $3,000, including phono and remote:

attachment.php
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switched to integrated for about 2 years, think will stay like this for couple few years. It simplify my living room rig.

Recently switch to accu e650(from e600), overall it gives more control and smoother to drive my sopra.
 
I've only had integrateds. Started off with a Denon PMA700 then went to the Bryston B100sst. The B100 was a little more dynamic but drier sounding and I always had a hum through the speakers. Went to the Octave V70se and later the V110. The V70 was dead quiet and beat the pants off the Bryston in SQ and dynamics (blacker background). The V110 had a 'hair' more of a blacker background and dynamics. Currently running the Aavik U300. The U300 does the Raidho D2.1's justice where the V110 fell apart when pushed pretty hard. But at low to med listening levels the V110 held it's own. The U300 does have a built in killer dac. Better than my old Naim nDac with XP5XS external power supply. The built in phono is supposed to be very good but I can't say because I don't own a pottery wheel anymore.
 
Skip, I’m looking forward to listening to that BoX.


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Joe, I’m curious to what you decide to demo, Integrated-wise, after the Luxman stereo amp.


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I graduated from receivers to integrated amps. It became an affordable way to enter into the higher end, going from Japanese integrated to Krell. Then onto to separates.

I wouldn't have a problem with an integrated again. It could be a way to move upward if I could afford something like a Gamuet, I think D'Agostino is in the same range. I have no idea what Vitus, Solution or Griffin cost, but integrated is a way to get a taste if not able to afford the separates.

I could easily live with an Octave Audio, I really like the Devaliet or Naim, to mention a couple. Although I like integrated, I'd attempt to draw the line at built in DAC. I said, attempt, the Devaliet has it and does a great job. Probably not an issue if it was made to upgrade as you go.

I'm sure that new Thrax integrated sounds great.

Isn't Job the same issue as ASR where there are no U.S. distributors or service.
 
I have been thinking about selling all my electronics and going with a Vinnie Rossi Lio with tubes, built in DAC and phono stage. It would require new speakers however since it puts out 45wpc. My wife has been hinting about me down sizing. I am not quite ready to do it and give up on my Pass and BAT gear. Maybe in 4-5 years.
 
Mechnutt said:
I have been thinking about selling all my electronics and going with a Vinnie Rossi Lio with tubes, built in DAC and phono stage. It would require new speakers however since it puts out 45wpc. My wife has been hinting about me down sizing. I am not quite ready to do it and give up on my Pass and BAT gear. Maybe in 4-5 years.
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I see some AG’s in your future. [emoji41]
 
Larry

Wasn't Vinnie talking about coming up with a larger amp module? Would sure make it attractive to a bigger audience.
 
I think Integrated amps are getting better every year. I heard the Rogue Atlas Magnum power amp was great with the Quad 57's, so for a few hundred bucks more I bought the Cronus Magnum integrated which is an Atlas Magnum with a built-in preamp and phono stage. For a bit extra I love the additional space I saved vs. separates and also saved on having to buy additional IC's. I also have a 300b integrated from Melody which weighs just under 100 pounds and at 25 watts push pull, the transformers are so large they easily drive some mid-80's sensitivity monitors. So I'm all over the concept that one can make incredible music with an integrated amp. My Pass X20 preamp is feeling a bit unloved these days:|
 
Throw in the benefits of not only space but two less power cables and one less XLR cable


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Integrateds are in a renaissance right now IMO. Separates are fun but offer their own complexities. I also like when manufacturers, like MastersounD does on their more expensive integrateds, allow for a preamp bypass feature. It gives you much more flexibility if you decide to play with other things.
 
Absolutely - although it really depends on the integrated. There also seem to be way more "super integrateds" in solid state, than tube for some reason.

The Dart is the best SS integrated I've heard (would like to hear the Gryphon).

For tube, I almost went with a Jadis. That said if the Vac iq comes out this year, maybe that's your amp plus can get with phono stage which is super convenient and really lose boxes/cables. The Viva Solista is one I've stared at 100 times, but even though I love the looks not so sure on Viva sounds. It also runs quite hot and doesn't fit well on a rack.

Though truth be told, a TVC + stereo tube amp is a nice alternative and probably higher fidelity.
 
Joe,

Slightly more than your $10k budget, but the darTZeel LHC-208 is a good choice. Let me know if you'd like to give it a try :D


cheers,
Alex
 
hifinutt said:
extremely interested in your thoughts and which ones you have tried . my dealer wants me to try a thrax enyo valve which apparently is a stunning amp but a] its expensive b] its not that well known yet and in my experince that makes it very hard to resell when you upgrade


modwright kwi200 seems a very good value amp and has home theatre bypass which is good if we are talking integrated systems . pass int 60 is about double the price but extremely popular it seems
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I just looked up the Thrax you mentioned, looks like quite the bit of kit ! I echo your experience at moving on less well known gear no matter however well it might compare with other more well known brands.

With regard to the comments about the amps I am using that might be better sent to you as a PM. I feel it might be quite long and I would hate to crash someone’s thread with a long monologue on my system building :P
 
Please share your experiences, I’m interested in some of the gear you have had and are using now.
 
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