integrated amp

NJPOLKER
NJPOLKER Posts: 3,474
edited February 2011 in 2 Channel Audio
A friend of mine back in New Jersey wants to buy a new IA. He will spend between $2,000 and $3,000 on it. I guess he will have to buy a phono pre-amp for his turntable too?? Jeff has Mirage OMD15's I forget what TT and CDP (maybe a Marantz) but they are of middle of the road quality. I think JPS Cables and IC's.
What he is contemplating so far are products from Jolida, Vincent, Krell and on the higher end a Luxman. He is currently running a little Marantz IA which has been OK to this point but is ready for a big jump. Jeff listens to well recorded vinyl and CD's form 70's rock to classical music. Fridays tend to be tune session time for critical listening :eek:
Jeff also just bought a new Furutech power conditioner and the cables/IC's. I reminded him to be sure to burn-in everything before passing judgment.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
Post edited by NJPOLKER on
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Comments

  • NotaSuv
    NotaSuv Posts: 3,851
    edited February 2011
    I am very very happy with the W4S STI 500...running a pair of Mirage M-1's which is not a real easy speaker to power.....to date this int amp has brought out the best in the speakers, and I have had some very nice amps in the mix..love the HT bypass as well....using a Cambridge 840 C as a source
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2011
    Another vote for the Wyred STI-500.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited February 2011
    Look for used deals for Musical Fidelity integrated amps.

    The have built in phono pre-amps and ample inputs. Another cool feature is the HT bypass if you ever decide to build a home theater around it.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • newrival
    newrival Posts: 2,017
    edited February 2011
    Creek Audio Destiny. Hands down. It is a Stereophile Class A component. Although I've never heard the Destiny II, that may be the way to go. The 5350SE that the destiny replaced was fantastic, the destiiny is even better. The destiny II I can only imagine improved it further yet (if thats possible).

    http://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/107creek
    http://www.needledoctor.com/Creek-Destiny-2-Integrated-Amp?sc=7&category=4990
    design is where science and art break even.
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited February 2011
    Take a hard look at Sim Audio. Musical and bullet-proof.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • bopicasso
    bopicasso Posts: 878
    edited February 2011
    shop audiogon for a deal. Look at all the brands he is interested in and there will be a deal in there somewhere.
    Living Room setup: Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH, Krell KAV 300i, PS Audio DL III DAC, Tyler Acoustics Taylo 7u, Dynaudio Audience 120C+, SVS 25/31PCI, B-P-T Clean Power Center, Ps3, Panny 50" S1 Plasma, Tekline speaker cables, Audio Art interconnects, and Pangea power cables.
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  • On3s&Z3r0s
    On3s&Z3r0s Posts: 1,013
    edited February 2011
    Just out of curiosity, does anyone have any experience with the NAD M3? I have had and liked NAD integrateds in the past, but obviously most of them are not in the class of Krell, etc. The M3 seems interesting because it's a beefy dual mono and it has support for bi-amping with an active crossover of sorts (kinda like an HT receiver). Just wondering if anyone had any opinions.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,566
    edited February 2011
    Erik Tracy wrote: »
    Look for used deals for Musical Fidelity integrated amps.

    Agreed.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • lakesailor
    lakesailor Posts: 319
    edited February 2011
    I have not personally heard or tried one but I have heard many great things about the Anthem 225 integrated. I have tried and enjoyed the Musical Fidelity KW 500 as well as the Roksan Kandy and can strongly reccomend both of those brands as well. Naim is another integrated I enjoy if you can get away with less power.
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited February 2011
    markmarc wrote: »
    Take a hard look at Sim Audio. Musical and bullet-proof.
    bopicasso wrote: »
    shop audiogon for a deal. Look at all the brands he is interested in and there will be a deal in there somewhere.

    Agreed!
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • NJPOLKER
    NJPOLKER Posts: 3,474
    edited February 2011
    Jeff mentioned this IA to me the other day. Any thoughts? At $1,300. I am not sure it can be fairly compared to the w4s and others costing twice as much but he is looking at tubes which is a smart move I think.


    http://www.needledoctor.com/Jolida-JD-502RC-Integrated-Stereo-Tube-Amplifier?sc=7&category=25825
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  • Gempler
    Gempler Posts: 308
    edited February 2011
    I think that Jolida makes some nice stuff, but your friend should try to hear it first. I don't know the 502, but do know the 502b comes in , and they recently updated the look (perhpas more) and are calling it the 505. And it is available from jolida.net for a little over $1000. but tubes are a very different sound than soild state. and as for a solid state sugestion i would suggest checking out the YBA YA-201 for about $1,500. But having said all that, i agree with the comments that some excellent Musical Fidelity integrateds are often available on audiogon for very good prices.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2011
    He should double his budget and pick up this demo: http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1300991940&/Ayon-The-New-Triton-new-must-r
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Slinger182
    Slinger182 Posts: 512
    edited February 2011
    Sorry don't mean to thread jack but got a quick question. I am confused.:confused:

    HT bypass? On a pre amp you use it to have a dedicated 2 channel pre between your AVR and amp right?

    With an integrated like the W4S is the integrated acting as both the dedicated integrated 2 channel and when using the AVR as the seperate amp?
    Or is it the same as having a dedicated 2 channel pre with HT bypass and you need another amp?

    Hopefully that makes some kind of sense to somebody.
    Panny 55-st30 plasma
    Pioneer vsx-1121
    Parasound 2100 pre
    b&k tx4430 amp
    Oppo bdp-83
    Monster HTS 3500
    polk TSi500s Vr3 Fortress modded
    polk CS20 center channel Vr3 Castle modded
    polk Owm 3 surrounds
    polk PSW505
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited February 2011
    Slinger182 wrote: »
    Sorry don't mean to thread jack but got a quick question. I am confused.:confused:

    HT bypass? On a pre amp you use it to have a dedicated 2 channel pre between your AVR and amp right?

    With an integrated like the W4S is the integrated acting as both the dedicated integrated 2 channel and when using the AVR as the seperate amp?
    Or is it the same as having a dedicated 2 channel pre with HT bypass and you need another amp?

    Hopefully that makes some kind of sense to somebody.

    Yes - an integrated amp with HT bypass will have a separate set of input jacks that would connect to your AVR's L/R pre-outs. When that input is selected, the internal preamp section of the integrated amp is 'bypassed' and it only functions as a power amp - the AVR will determine the line levels to drive the volume.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • Slinger182
    Slinger182 Posts: 512
    edited February 2011
    Thanks Erik! That's what I thought and very cool.
    Panny 55-st30 plasma
    Pioneer vsx-1121
    Parasound 2100 pre
    b&k tx4430 amp
    Oppo bdp-83
    Monster HTS 3500
    polk TSi500s Vr3 Fortress modded
    polk CS20 center channel Vr3 Castle modded
    polk Owm 3 surrounds
    polk PSW505
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited February 2011
    Slinger182 wrote: »
    Thanks Erik! That's what I thought and very cool.

    I did a diagram that showed how I have this set up in my rig for HT and 2-Channel:
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103777&highlight=bypass

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • Slinger182
    Slinger182 Posts: 512
    edited February 2011
    I remember glancing at that before and just thought you were using a pre with HT bypass. The thought of an integrated with HT bypass hadn't even crossed my mind until today. Goes to show how much I'm still learning. Cool stuff and nice diagrams. Thanks again.
    Panny 55-st30 plasma
    Pioneer vsx-1121
    Parasound 2100 pre
    b&k tx4430 amp
    Oppo bdp-83
    Monster HTS 3500
    polk TSi500s Vr3 Fortress modded
    polk CS20 center channel Vr3 Castle modded
    polk Owm 3 surrounds
    polk PSW505
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  • bopicasso
    bopicasso Posts: 878
    edited February 2011
    My krell has ht bypass and I would not have it any other way. Best of both worlds. Pure two channel for music and receiver for decoding the ht HD audio/video.
    Living Room setup: Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH, Krell KAV 300i, PS Audio DL III DAC, Tyler Acoustics Taylo 7u, Dynaudio Audience 120C+, SVS 25/31PCI, B-P-T Clean Power Center, Ps3, Panny 50" S1 Plasma, Tekline speaker cables, Audio Art interconnects, and Pangea power cables.
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  • NJPOLKER
    NJPOLKER Posts: 3,474
    edited February 2011
    Hey Mike!!!!!!!!!!

    The link has expired or something :frown: Can you resubmit? I am trying to get Jeff to buy something really cool but not too cool! I'd hate for him to have something cooler than what I have :tongue:

    Ever get up to Rhode Island?

    Thanks

    Face wrote: »
    He should double his budget and pick up this demo: http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1300991940&/Ayon-The-New-Triton-new-must-r
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  • bopicasso
    bopicasso Posts: 878
    edited February 2011
    Here are two for sale that are the exact integrated amp I have. Absolutely love it! Has ht bypass for a double duty rig. These can power most speakers except maybe the most demanding. Krell will bring your speakers to life! Great bang for your buck!

    www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1301620279&/Krell-KAV-300I-solid-state-int

    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1302309978&/Krell-KAV-300i-

    Or if you want a monster.....

    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1300592846&/Krell-KAV-500i-Integrated-Ampl
    Living Room setup: Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH, Krell KAV 300i, PS Audio DL III DAC, Tyler Acoustics Taylo 7u, Dynaudio Audience 120C+, SVS 25/31PCI, B-P-T Clean Power Center, Ps3, Panny 50" S1 Plasma, Tekline speaker cables, Audio Art interconnects, and Pangea power cables.
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  • acchen
    acchen Posts: 11
    edited February 2011
    The W4S would be good, the Bel Canto S300i would be good too.
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