Do you use an integrated in your main system?

TrisHCl said:
I used to support the idea of separated systems consisting classically of a DAC connected to a pre-amp that in turn is connected to a power amp. I've read so many reviews that such a system is superior to integrated systems is well matched.

Well, two weeks ago I strolled through town and visited a few local HiFi dealers. At one place I saw a Devialet 120 demo model on display. A nice, shiny, attractive flat box with its stunning remote control. Out of curiosity, I asked the dealer (whom I know for a long time) if he was willing to lend me system for the weekend. It so happens that I was allowed to test the system for an entire week!

Back at my place, I plugged my speakers and my Aurender N100H into the Devialet and listened to some music. Instantaneously, I realised that this sleek pizza box left my system far behind!

An absolutely gorgeous sound emanated from my speakers, highly resolved, warm, without any glare. The amp is extremely fast, and a joy to listen to!

Imagine: forgetting about all those cables that one needs to connect a complicated system, and here I was: a fantastic all-in-one system. It is configurable via internet, and the icing on the cake is the SAM (speaker active matching). I downloaded the SAM file for my ATC SCM11s, copied it onto the SD card and then to my Devialet. My ATCs definitely profited considerably from SAMing.

The decision to keep the Devialet was done almost instantaneously. A week later I bought it from the dealer and it was the best decision I ever made in my audio life!

So, do I use an integrated in my main system? YES! I am even thinking of having my Devialet upgraded to the next level. Fantastic system it is!

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I wonder how much $$ worth of separates it would take to seriously beat the Devialet Expert 1000 monos.
 
The divalet’s from experience are very good and competitive as monoblocs , not so much as stereo amps, this was confirmed by numerous A/B compares ..




regards
 
I have an integrated amp in my main system, nothing too expensive.
Copland CSA-29. About 85watts into 8 ohms, speakers are 92dB efficiency so can go quite loud if I want to.
I also use an integrated amp on my PC, a Denon PMA 250-II from the 80's.
 
still-one said:
Depends who you ask. Like everything audio they have their proponents and detractors.

I do like the concept.
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I heard the 1000 monos when we visited an audio buddy in Washington (UK) in August last year.
Driving Vivid Audio G2 Giyas, they produced a wonderful sound.
We could enjoy that system for 3 days.
Yes, they're good!
 
bart said:
I heard the 1000 monos when we visited an audio buddy in Washington (UK) in August last year.
Driving Vivid Audio G2 Giyas, they produced a wonderful sound.
We could enjoy that system for 3 days.
Yes, they're good!
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I have heard them with Magicos, Giya G3, B&W and Focal.
 
I got into this hobby by using integrated amps for the first few years, but eventually I couldn't resist the temptation of trying separates, preamps, monoblocks etc. I have just recently gone back to a highly minimalistic integrated setup and couldn't be happier. In my perspective I decided to "scale down, while scaling up".

I think that I learned a lot along the way with my separates though, I figured out what I like and don't, what my preferences are, what direction I want to go and I simply would not want to have anything of that un-done. I don't regret anything, each and every step has been a joy and very educational for myself. Of course it would have been more cost effective to just go downhill the right integrated at once and be all set, but how fun would that have been, and how do you know what you want without trying?

Are integrated better than separates? Probably not, most manufactures top models are separates and probably so for a reason, but how much better are they? And there's also the impact by external cables and other things that are relevant when summing it all up. I also believe in evolution and technical progress, that more and better things can be achieved with smaller footprint with time. What they learn by building the separates can hopefully eventually be compressed into integrated solutions.

In the end it's all about enjoying the music though... :)
 
I have a PrimaLuna Premium Dialogue HP integrated and love it! Sounds far better than my previous Pass Labs INT 150. (Richer, warmer, simply more realistic.)
 
When I started moving toward higher-end about 9 years ago, I got an Accuphase E-202 integrated. Then moved to a Gato DIA-250 integrated, followed by separates.

Now I'm back to using an integrated, the Lyngdorf TDAI 3400.
 
I was a big fan of super integrateds, but now have kept it simple using a TVC w/ 2 channel tube amp. I think I'm getting better sound for the same $.

Still want to try a Viva Solista at some point for fun. There was a smoking good looking used one in blue that I probably should have picked up for a spin. I joke that if I ever get a headphone setup, the Egoista would be mine :)
 
I think most companies that make both integrateds and separates would say that they couldn't make separates with comparable specs/quality as their integrateds (e.g., Gryphon). These folks typically offer separates toward the higher end of their product lines for those who are willing to pay for greater performance and flexibility.
 
PierreB said:
I’m using a Simaudio Moon Evolution 600i v2.
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Hi Pierre, I’d love to see some pics of your Moon (and system). I was oh so close to pulling the trigger on a Moon integrated after being impressed with one at a dealer.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Yes. I just bought a McIntosh MA9000, which will replace my Primaluna Premium Dialogue HP. (It's for sale in the "Selling Audio Gear: Integrateds" thread.)
 
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Tri B Oberton based on the 6C33C tube.

Together with Tierra they're the best sounding amps I've ever heard.
 
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