looking for integrated upgrade for my SF Evolutions

The Boulder integrated is just outside your budget at MSRP; I haven't heard it but other Boulder amps and preamps have sounded sweet.
 
joeinid said:
Based on my listening taste with the Evos, I prefer a more neutral amp/preamp combo to pair with them. I feel that the sweetness of the Evos is enough and adding too much warmth can be too much of a good thing. While I have not tried some of the recommendations here on the Evos, they are phenomenal speakers that play "MUSIC !!!"
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Totally agree Joe! In your estimation which integrated would say for yourself is best match for Evolutions?
 
Does it have to be an integrated? Budget, 10-12K ?

I've heard ARC tube gear with the Evos and LOVED it.

tboooe said:
Totally agree Joe! In your estimation which integrated would say for yourself is best match for Evolutions?
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BlueMcIntosh said:
Pass Labs ?
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Thank you for the recommendation. I used to own the XA160 monoblocks (those suckas got hot!). I find the Pass sound to be very sweet and organic but perhaps too soft for my Evolutions. That being said I have always respected Pass and its products.
 
joeinid said:
Does it have to be an integrated? Budget, 10-12K ?

I've heard ARC tube gear with the Evos and LOVED it.
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Joe, I would prefer an integrated because I want to keep my system simple. And yes my budget is $10-12K new or used OR LOWER!! :0
 
I'll think about others but MY first recommendation still stands.

Or this one ... http://www.audioresearch.com/en-us/products/vsi60

VSi60_lens_1(0).png



2014 Recommended Components Integrated Amps & Receivers | Stereophile.com

Ayre Acoustics AX-5: $9950
Ayre's statement integrated amplifier measures 17.25" W by 5" H by 18.75" D, weighs 46 lbs, and has a brushed-aluminum chassis with four balanced and two single-ended inputs. It uses a variable-gain transconductance circuit trickled down from Ayre's top-of-the-line KX-R preamp, a class-A/B diamond-circuit output section, and delivers 125Wpc into 8 ohms. The AX-5 offered a combination of incisive detail, perfect musical timing and momentum, and naturally warm timbral colors, said AD. "It's one of the three best, most musical, most human-sounding solid-state amps I've ever heard," he concluded. "Its wide bandwidth and low distortion are a testament to the intrinsic linearity of the diamond circuit," added JA. (Vol.36 No.8 WWW)


tboooe said:
Joe, I would prefer an integrated because I want to keep my system simple. And yes my budget is $10-12K new or used OR LOWER!! :0
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Thanks Joe. I agree with you that the Ayre is a good choice. I loved the MX-R monoblocks when I owned them a few years back. Another brand one of my internet buddies highly recommends is Gryphon Attila. The MF Nuvista looks ridiculously intriguing!
 
Tboooe...I would add Simaudio integrateds. Very neutral and very musical. Another probably great pairing. But I agree Ayre, Simaudio and Boulder integrateds are going to be excellent SS matches with SF GEs. Haven't heard the Hegel or Modwright but lots of good press/reviews and user comments.

On tube side, another AS member (bavarian05) just purchased the Evos and paired them up with the Prima Luna Dialogue Premium HP integrated amp (70wpc with KT120s in Ultralinear mode) and seems to be enjoying that combo.
 
At the 2014 Newport show there was a room with Amati Futuras driven by the PrimaLuna Dialogue monos. Each time I was in the room the consensus of the listeners was that the sound was noticeably better in Triode mode compared to Ultralinear (KT150 tubes).
 
Just read up on Vitus components. Man those are sexy! The SIA-25 looks awesome. Now if I can only convince myself to spend that much!
 
I think arc ref 75 integrated would be hard to beat. I own simaudio 5.3 SE, and while it is built like a tank and is impeccable in function and form, I believe ARC and Vitus are in a different league.
 
I don't think you need to spend five figures on an Integrated to get great sound with the SF's and I would probably pay attention to the recommendations of a dealer who carries not only the speaker line in question, but also many of the recommended amps. He has probably spent more time with these combo's than most.
 
tboooe said:
Thanks Joe. I agree with you that the Ayre is a good choice. I loved the MX-R monoblocks when I owned them a few years back. Another brand one of my internet buddies highly recommends is Gryphon Attila. The MF Nuvista looks ridiculously intriguing!
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Thanks to David Baskin, one of our member dealers, I will be giving the NuVista 800 an extended audition as soon as he gets them.
 
That will be fun Mark!

I am curious how you feel about it when it breaks in.

MDP said:
Thanks to David Baskin, one of our member dealers, I will be giving the NuVista 800 an extended audition as soon as he gets them.
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