Integrated amps....

TroyD
TroyD Posts: 13,077
edited January 2014 in 2 Channel Audio
I'm going integrated.....solid state (or at least amplification side).

I'm sniffing around a couple: MF A 1008, Luxman L-505, MF M6i......also showing some interest in McIntosh.

I'm looking in the ~2K price range...

Thoughts, recommendations??

BDT
I plan for the future. - F1Nut
Post edited by TroyD on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«13

Comments

  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited October 2013
    I'm with you on having MF on your short list. Good stuff - I'm very happy with my A5 Int.

    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.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited October 2013
    Erik,

    How do you like the A5? There is one on ebay pretty reasonable. I've heard good and bad....can you elaborate?

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    edited October 2013
    I still lust over the old Tri-vista integrateds. Maybe a Bat 300 ? Cary ? Vac makes a nice one too but a tad over your price range.

    The Nu-vista's are suppose to be stellar.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited October 2013
    I've used the lower power class-A version of this integrated, and it sounded great!

    http://shop.grantfidelity.com/Jungson-DA-300IA-JA99D-AB300-Integrated-Amplifier.html
    Jake
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2013
    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/tube-ayon-audio-orion-tune-integrated-amplifier-50w-x-2-2013-10-10-integrateds-60657
    "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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited October 2013
    TroyD wrote: »
    Erik,

    How do you like the A5? There is one on ebay pretty reasonable. I've heard good and bad....can you elaborate?

    BDT

    I really like mine-got it used on audiogon. Heavy bugger!

    Gobs of power, firm grip of woofers for controlled bass, neutral sounding up thru the mids to highs, smooth, no glare. It was a huge step up in sound from my AVR w/ ext amp.

    The HT Direct feature is great as I've got a hybrid setup for HT and Music.

    Plenty of inputs for CD, SACD, HT, Tuner, Phone(MM) - the phono input is quite good actually!

    Quirks - my cable remote sometimes causes the A5 sensor to switch input selections, so that was annoying until I covered the IR sensor on the A5.

    That does require manual switching of inputs and volume, but its not a big deal for me.

    I did have one channel go out on me - can't explain it, but it 'came back' and has been working fine for over a year now.

    Service could be an issue as there is only one guy I know of that is servicing MF in the US and I've heard he has a backlog of work.

    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.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,124
    edited October 2013
    http://www.krellonline.com/s300i.html

    I would love to have this one.
    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited October 2013
    Modwright KWI-200


    :D
    Jake
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited October 2013
    stretch that budget. http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-plinius-hautonga-200wpc-integrated-amplifier-2013-09-28-integrateds-48071
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited October 2013
    Can't go wrong with Musical Fidelity :)
    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

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited October 2013
    This
    > Luxman L-505

    Can't top it under 5K range.
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited October 2013
    The Lux does look VERY sweet.....

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 98Badger
    98Badger Posts: 317
    edited October 2013
    I picked up a simaudio 340i back in April after hearing one at AXPONA last year. It was a little over your budget but well worth it to me. Best sound I've had to date. The previous model probably falls within your price range.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,766
    edited October 2013
    Classe CAP-151? One on A-gon for $1150. A bit under budget, but as I recall, you like the Classe sound...
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited October 2013
    Here's an L-550a. A little higher than the budget but maybe there's wiggle room.

    http://www.paragonsns.com/product/luxman-l-550a-mkii-integrated-amplifier/?utm_source=October+Specials+2013&utm_campaign=October+Specials&utm_medium=email
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    edited October 2013
    Gotta love meters.....if more gear had them they'd sell more gear.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited October 2013
    I'd be all over the Luxman, personally.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,802
    edited October 2013
    Luxman. Classic, timeless stuff.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited October 2013
    There is a Mac MA6850 on the gon....interesting. Very interesting....

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited October 2013
    I know just throwing brands out there just tends to muddy the waters, but I'll toss one more out there.
    The Unison Research Unico line of integrateds should be considered at your pricepoint if you want to contemplate keeping a tube-like sound in the mix without compromising too much horse power...
    http://en.unisonresearch.com/686-2/
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited October 2013
    They are.... but he specified he would be fine with that (as long as they were SS on the amplification side).
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited October 2013
    TroyD wrote: »
    There is a Mac MA6850 on the gon....interesting. Very interesting....

    BDT

    Oh no no...Frankly, Honestly, Sincerely!

    I am sure you know - Not all amps with the meters sounds the same.

    I still would stick to Luxman or Accuphase Integrated not because I am a fan because they sound so good and smooth.

    But check this out also.

    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-mbl-7005-50wpc-class-a-integrated-amp-2013-10-17-integrateds-07069-watchung-nj
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,194
    edited October 2013
    Hey Troy,
    What are you going to drive with it? I have a few suggestions depending on the speakers.
    A really good option would be to call my former employer at the Audiolab, take to Dave. We had some killer Teac Stuff, Primare, Cambridge Audio, Anthem, NAD. We also have a few smoking badass Peach Tree with integrated DAC's built in if you want to get into Computer music or just have a great DAC to plug your current CD transport into.
    Tell him I sent you there Dan H and that you know me from the Polk forum. Also tell him to give you a smoking deal as I said to. The Teac we have is super badass dude, I think no matter what you want to run with it, it will drive them extremely well. We have a set of 3.7 Maggies on it now. I'm sure he will let the floor model go, it's brand new condition as it's been there a few months and hasn't moved.

    Check out our website dude

    www.audiolab.com


    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,194
    edited October 2013
    This is whats on the floor if it's still there, dude powerful and sounds effortless.
    http://audio.teac.com/product/ai-3000/
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited October 2013
    C'mon ya'll, everyone knows that Musical Fidelity is the undisputed king of high end integrated amps.
    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

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited October 2013
    Wanna send me one Jesse. :razz: I haven't heard a Musical Fidelity (integrated) amp before. I have read great things about the however.
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited October 2013
    I second investigating SimAudio, IMHO you get more resolution than Musical Fidelity but will sacrifice wpc at the same price point.
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited October 2013
    I would suggest the Pass INT-150 but it's out of your budget and I know it would give any of the suggestions so far a run and would probably prevail {smiley}

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CCNJ
    CCNJ Posts: 384
    edited October 2013
    I bought an LFD LE IV last year and really like it. You can find them used for about 2500. Very minimalistic design built like a tank, extremely cool to the touch, dead silent and sweet sounding. Not the power of some of the other suggestions but for my use its a great integrated amp.
    Rig1 - Totem Hawks, Benchmark HDR, Parasound A21, Sonus, Samsung 52 LCD, Audioquest Type4
    Rig2 - LFD LE IV Integrated, Harbeth P3ESR, Rega Dac, MF V-Link, IMAC, Audioquest Type4
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,054
    edited October 2013
    Man, this thread has me combing the depths of the internet for different gear, particularly a different integrated.
    I must say the new Teacs look sweet, especially the Al-3000.

    Another one that caught my eye:
    http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=VISV237

    I would only consider either of these used though to keep down the $....
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter