Integrated amps..

2

Comments

  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited December 2009
    I like monoblocks.
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited December 2009
    The Unison Research Unico P hybrid I had in my rig for a bit 'o time sounded lovely. Moreover, the convenience was off the charts for what I needed it for. I'm a firm believer that integrateds have their niche in the 2-channel market and it shouldn't always be frowned upon.
    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
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited December 2009
    How about some Plinius Integrated amps?
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  • gwdgs
    gwdgs Posts: 13
    edited December 2009
    My Musical Fidelity A3 was amazing.
    Never ran it side by side with my friends Lux LV105. That would have been fun.
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited December 2009
    madmax wrote: »
    I too am getting sick of all the crap sitting around.
    madmax

    yea send me those crappy Manley Amps you dont need them.

    RT1
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited December 2009
    reeltrouble1 wrote: »
    yea send me those crappy Manley Amps you dont need them.

    RT1

    I've been wondering what to get you for Christmas... Oh, but I wouldn't want to send old used stuff as a present, that would be tacky. :D
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited December 2009
    Here is what might get me into the integrated game:

    Tubed input
    SS 200wpc output
    XLR inputs
    Jake
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited December 2009
    I've had way more fun with integrated amps than I have with seperates. Depending on the actual unit, I don't believe there is much of a compromise, if any.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited December 2009
    The only real question is, glass or sand?
    Much as I hate to say it, a good SS might make life easier.
    No tube rolling temptation, no biasing, no heating the room up 20 degrees.
    The thought has run through my mind a couple of times.
    a good Classe, Krell, ETC. solid state amp should sound pretty good
    and give you a lot of power. And last for years.
    But I'm sure soon you'll here something that sounds so sweet on your system
    that all this "simple" crap will be forgotten.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited December 2009
    I've basically always used integrated amps (except for a brief foray with Bottlehead Paramour SE 2A3 monoblocks and a DIY vacuum tube preamp)... not that this matters in the great scheme of things, but I felt like sharing...
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited December 2009
    AAAAARGHHH...I'm just frustrated.

    Here's what has been going on....started at PF. Had a channel that was getting intermittent sound. Sometimes louder...sometimes lower....

    So then, IC cables had a loose connector. Ok, fixed that and things seemed ok. Swapped in the Classe amp. It starts going into protection. WTF? So, swapped preamp tubes (and the ones that I swapped in were not new)....that seemed to cure that particular issue.

    Couple more weeks, now I'm getting a feedback howl in the left channel. One of the IC's has a frayed end, I dunno...maybe. So swap that out...nope, that's not it. Well, faack, maybe the tubes I put in were effed and it's going microphonic. Swap them out again.

    While I'm at it....pull the Vandys, put back in the Quads and the Heath monos. Dead channel. One amp powers up...but no sound coming out. WTF?

    I'm just beset with gremlins right now and I'm tired and grumpy. I don't LIKE chasing this **** down. I want to push a button, sit my **** down and listen to music. DEE-OH-ENN-EEE.

    Look for some bargains in a FM ad near you!!

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited December 2009
    You've got it bad Troy. Sometimes I just want to sell everything and start from scrath with some new stuff. But not because something is wrong, but because everything is good.

    Yup. I'm that sick. I enjoy the whole trying/testing/learning and finding out how different things sound. It's so boring when everything is just right :eek:
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited December 2009
    I may dig my Denon DRA-685 stereo receiver out of the basement just for a change of pace. I actually enjoyed that piece of gear so much that I couldn't part with it when I went to separates. There is something to be said for simplicity...
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,033
    edited December 2009
    Troy, I know you are frustrated. I sense it somehow......:p

    Man, you are just having a string of bad luck. It comes with the hobby from time to time. You do have to admit, when it's all working it sounds fantastic and it IS all plug and play. I wouldn't want you to go selling all your gear, to go turn around and buy new gear only wishing after it's all sold and bought that you wished that you had just left well enough alone.

    It seems every time I do that, I end up just blowing more and more money to get to where I was at to begin with. Now granted, my latest system "in theory" will blow the socks off of whatever else I've owned, but what if it isn't? That scares the crap out of me.

    Wouldn't want the ol' Troymeister to go through all that when he's got a perfectly fine system with more toys coming to experiment with. ;)

    Remotes are overrated and tubes rule anyway.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited December 2009
    Troy,

    Its time to either walk away for a few days or start over from scratch. I know exactly where you are. Hang in there.

    Mike
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited December 2009
    Bummer Troy. Whether it is audio or cars, we've all been there.

    I have a passion for integrated amps, they come quite close to separates in sound quality, and one less piece of gear to run wires to is a plus. There are many terrific budget integrateds out there (SimAudio, Cambridge, Rotel) including a few hybrids (Jolida), though I'm not a fan of the build quality of Vincent's from the two that I have seen.
    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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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited December 2009
    TroyD wrote: »
    AAAAARGHHH...I'm just frustrated.

    Here's what has been going on....started at PF. Had a channel that was getting intermittent sound. Sometimes louder...sometimes lower....

    So then, IC cables had a loose connector. Ok, fixed that and things seemed ok. Swapped in the Classe amp. It starts going into protection. WTF? So, swapped preamp tubes (and the ones that I swapped in were not new)....that seemed to cure that particular issue.

    Couple more weeks, now I'm getting a feedback howl in the left channel. One of the IC's has a frayed end, I dunno...maybe. So swap that out...nope, that's not it. Well, faack, maybe the tubes I put in were effed and it's going microphonic. Swap them out again.

    While I'm at it....pull the Vandys, put back in the Quads and the Heath monos. Dead channel. One amp powers up...but no sound coming out. WTF?

    I'm just beset with gremlins right now and I'm tired and grumpy. I don't LIKE chasing this **** down. I want to push a button, sit my **** down and listen to music. DEE-OH-ENN-EEE.

    Look for some bargains in a FM ad near you!!

    BDT


    Hang in there Troy, Ted and myself I'm sure will be at your front door soon. Date not set as of yet, but I think with all of are heads together we will straighten you out. ;)

    Steve

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


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  • bikezappa
    bikezappa Posts: 2,463
    edited December 2009
    Consider looking at Revox equipment.

    http://www.audio-extasa.eu/revox-b250s-integrated-amplifier-p-1111.html

    I have had no desire to upgrade after using this for 4 years now and you must get the 208 remote.

    http://www.audio-extasa.eu/revox-b208-ir-remote-control-p-1089.html

    Click on the photo to see all the 208 remote options.

    You can buy the remote and B 250S for about $1000 but you must wait for the right deal.

    You can also get B250 amplifier which is silver for about $500.
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited December 2009
    I just love the hassle free-ness of SS, but I think that a tubed front end is a great compromise to achieve a tubey sound with minimal work and tube swapping. The LSA hybrid integrated amp looks intriguing in its three trims, for $5K new.

    The LSA Group offers a remarkable line of tube/solid state hybrid integrated amplifiers, starting with the very musical Standard amp.

    Featuring a striking industrial design, upgraded coupling capacitors, improved speaker binding posts, and a variable line-out for subwoofer connection, these Stereophile Recommended Components are truly giant-killers in the industry.

    With advanced vacuum tube circuitry in the pre-amp section and twin toroidal solid-state transformers, this unique amplifier exudes strength and musicality - approximately 78 pounds and 150wpc of it. Complete with phono stage and remote.

    http://www.thelsagroup.com/

    1247006603.jpg
    Jake
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited December 2009
    Are those USB ports on the from? If so, I'm in. :D
    "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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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited December 2009
    Face wrote: »
    Are those USB ports on the from? If so, I'm in. :D

    Sadly, no. I can't find any large pictures to confirm, but I think they are indicator lights.
    Jake
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited December 2009
    Good, I was kidding anyway.
    "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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  • bikezappa
    bikezappa Posts: 2,463
    edited December 2009
    http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/154998-rexox_b250_price_reduction/

    He is selling at Canuck audio a Revox amp B250 with remote, not sure what model remote, for $675.00
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited December 2009
    Those amps are ugly, but I'm sure sound great.
    Jake
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited December 2009
    I have been using the Jungson JA88D(09) integrated for a while and its a great amp. I would prefer tubes up front, but it's 80wpc class A doesn't sound bad either. It's built like a tank and can drive anything. It's on-board phono MC/MM even sounded great with bikerboy's TT when we had a little fun one evening. (I even read an article that bench tested it at 120wpc into 8 ohms :eek:)

    jungson%20JA-88D-09%20front.jpg
    Jake
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited December 2009
    How about a Classe CAP-151?
    There's an integrated most can live with.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited December 2009
    I'm sure you have some amps and pres from the same manufacturer in your collection. Why not just place the pre above the amp. Still seperates but more simple looking like an int. It would suck if you got an int and the bug bites again.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,565
    edited December 2009
    It would suck if you got an int and the bug bites again.

    Your comment defies logic.
    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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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited December 2009
    Looking at Troy's original post, it looked like he was tired of constant gear swapping and is looking for the simplicity of an int amp.
    I didn't go into detail, but what I meant was, what if he decides he wants a change in sound after owning the new int for a while?
    The entire unit must be replaced. Well, maybe I'm pro seperates, but I have no problems with people wanting them. There are great int's out there but I prefer the flexability of seperates. Zero's post had a great explanation.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,565
    edited December 2009
    I didn't go into detail, but what I meant was, what if he decides he wants a change in sound after owning the new int for a while?

    Simple, you buy a different integrated. I fail to see an issue with that.
    The entire unit must be replaced.

    And when you want a change in sound with separates, you replace an entire unit, be it pre amp or amp. Of course, when you do that you have to worry about synergy issues, which is never a problem with integrated's.

    In one of my rigs I use an integrated and in the other I have separates. Both rigs consist of some pretty good gear with the overall costs between them being fairly close. The integrated is head and shoulders above the separates.





    Zero's post had a great explanation.

    Oh please. :rolleyes:
    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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