GamuT Di150 LE Integrated Amplifier

jdandy

jdandy

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Curious if anyone here owns or has had experience with the new Gamut Di150 LE (Limited Edition) integrated amplifier.


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Dan...I have read good things about prior version. Gamut gear always impresses me with seemingly high build quality. Brand doesn't get much coverage here in US.
 
kiwi.......Thank you for digging up your review and posting here. It was an enjoyable read. I suspect your conclusions captured some imaginations and alienated others. Although your review was centered on the GamuT Di150, I remain curious about any changes in the Limited Edition that may bring some performance changes to the table. I appreciate you offering up your review.
 
cmalak said:
Dan...I have read good things about prior version. Gamut gear always impresses me with seemingly high build quality. Brand doesn't get much coverage here in US.
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Cyril.......As you might recall, Julian (AudioNut) on AA revealed he owned the GamuT Di150 for several years and enjoyed it. As a matter of fact, I remember that Julian said he truly regrets selling his Di150. From the comments in the above review it seems apparent that the sterile performance noted might lend itself to adjustment and enhancement with the right speaker choice and complimentary cabling. One of the design features I like is the single 20 amp MOSFET output device per channel. I feel certain this aids in overall linearity by not having to deal with matching multiple output devices on each rail and the possibility of slight mismatching of multiple MOSFET output devices.

It certainly would be interesting to audition the new Gamut Di150 LE head to head with the soon to be released Gryphon Diablo 300 integrated amplifier.
 
Dan...yes on both counts. The Gamut and the Gryphon integrateds would be great options to audition. I have been toying with the idea of simplifying my separates into a capable single box solution. Unfortunately, I don't think Gryphon is available in the US. As for Gamut, I don't have a local dealer to demo it. The other option that has caught my eye is the new Dartzeel LHC-208 integrated.
 
cmalak said:
Dan...yes on both counts. The Gamut and the Gryphon integrateds would be great options to audition. I have been toying with the idea of simplifying my separates into a capable single box solution. Unfortunately, I don't think Gryphon is available in the US. As for Gamut, I don't have a local dealer to demo it. The other option that has caught my eye is the new Dartzeel LHC-208 integrated.
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Cyril.......The darTZeel LHC-208 is an interesting integrated amplifier but I am not fond of the onboard DAC as part of the package. I am not too excited about the color scheme either. I know darTZeel has a well earned reputation for making great sounding gear but visually it is a turn-off for me. darTZeel wants you to use their app on a computer or tablet for remote control. The infrared remote control is optional. I find that rather unusual.


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Dan...I hear you about the color scheme. There is a review that just came out on it which I have not yet read but the blurb I saw on it said that it's DAC, like many now in the field, will be upgradeable via software updates as those come through (similar to PS Audio and others), and that protects the buyer from obsolescence. However, I hear you on the color scheme. I'll see if I can find the review and will post it...

Here it is: http://www.absolutesounds.com/pdf/main/press/DA LHC 208 HFN1015_4web.pdf
 
cmalak said:
Dan...I hear you about the color scheme. There is a review that just came out on it which I have not yet read but the blurb I saw on it said that it's DAC, like many now in the field, will be upgradeable via software updates as those come through (similar to PS Audio and others), and that protects the buyer from obsolescence. However, I hear you on the color scheme. I'll see if I can find the review and will post it...

Here it is: http://www.absolutesounds.com/pdf/main/press/DA LHC 208 HFN1015_4web.pdf
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Cyril.......Thanks for the dartZeel LHC-208 review. That was interesting. I can't say I would be pleased with an active cooling system for the output stages. I see they are now providing an infrared remote, albeit a scaled down plastic version. After reading the LHC-208 review I am of the opinion that were I considering a darTZeel integrated amplifier I would consider the CTH-8550 first.


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Another well designed and built integrated amplifier is the Boulder 865. Although not quite as powerful as the Gamut Di150 LE or the darTZell LHC-208 or CTH-8550, the Boulder 865 ($12,000) delivers a rock solid integrated amplifier. This integrated amp is now about six years old so finding a clean pre-owned one should bring the price down substantially.


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Dan...heard it and actually liked it a lot. The last time I checked on the Gon there was one being offered at $7,500 by a dealer out in the West Coast.
 
Cyril.......There are some very impressive integrated amplifiers being offered by high-end manufacturers these days. In almost all cases the performance level meets or certainly approaches that of many separates. It makes it attractive and practical to actually consider downsizing a behemoth setup.
 
Hi guys,

The LHC-208 comes with a remote control, and it can also be operated from its touch screen. You only need the app (iOS/Android/computer) to stream music using the built-in network interface/streamer. For conventional use (volume, input selection, etc.) the remote works as well as the touch screen :)

I have both units in the store, and I can tell you the LHC-208 is really special. We've hooked it up to some pretty big speakers, and it always performed beautifully! And while I completely understand Dan's preference for having an outside DAC, if you're going for a simplified system, it is actually a good deal, even if you end up hooking an outboard DAC.

As for the CTH-8550, instead of a DAC, it has a phono board, and a pretty good one at that! It's also a touch more powerful than the 208, with a beefier power supply section. The benefit of having that phono stage built-in, other that you end up saving some on cables, is an incredibly quiet operation! I'm listening to it right now, on the Evolution Acoustics MMthree!

Oh, and about the GamuT! I've heard it extensively in friend's places (and dealers), a couple of years ago. It kinda has the same philosophy as darTZeel (less is more), with just a pair or two of transistors on the output. The difference is that GamuT uses MOSFET, and darTZeel uses bipolars. My personal preference is, and has been for many years, darTZeel :D


cheers,
alex
 
Alex.......Thank you for responding. Considering your comment about the performance caliber of the darTZeel CTH-8550's phono stage, it makes that integrated amplifier more appealing to me, especially sans the DAC. It would likely cost $6K or more to duplicate that phono stage performance in an outboard phono preamp. Considering that, it actually makes the price of the CTH-8550 a better buy in my mind than the LHC-208. While I can appreciate your enthusiasm about the LHC-208's performance, the CTH-8550's more robust power supply has greater importance to me as well. If I were closer to La Jolla, I would visit for a darTZeel audition.
 
Cyril.......The Danes certainly have a knack for creating complex shapes while at the same time making them appear clean and modern. The Gryphon Diablo 300 integrated amp pulls this off very well. I like the idea of capacitive touch switching, too.
 
kiwi_1282001 said:
As an outlier and at a much lower price point thereby possibly representing the best value proposition will be Hegel's new H360 which is being progressively rolled out globally.
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Yup, agreed! While probably not as good as the darTZeel LHC-208 (the H300 sure wasn't), it costs about a third of the price of the swiss piece! Should be a fantastic product. We're getting ours sometime next week!
 
Hegel has never captured my attention except in passing. The reviews indicate it is a worthy contender in its price range while owners comment that Hegel components perform above their price range. Hegel components are too plain Jane for my tastes in the cosmetics department. The H360 adds the DAC to the package that will please some but does not interest me. I don't care for an internal DAC in a preamp or an integrated amplifier.



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kiwi_1282001 said:
At these price points there is yet another Danish amplifier to consider - Vitus.
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kiwi.......Thanks for mentioning Vitus. Although not a brand new integrated amplifier, having been a round a few years, the Vitus RI-100 integrated amplifier appears to be a serious contender in the integrated amp arena. It certainly has plenty of power on tap with 300 w/p/c. Since a phono stage and DAC are optional modules, the Vitus RI-100 can be configured according to an owner's wishes.


vitus_ri100xx.jpg




Vitus%20Audio%20RI-100%20Integrated%20Amplifier%20(rear%20view)%20AAA.jpg
 
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