Thinking about an Integrated

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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
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    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    please tell me that blue thing isn't a vacuum tube.
  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    please tell me that blue thing isn't a vacuum tube.

    Doc it indicates whether the input stage is SS or tube! This baby is switchable via remote control! :smile:
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    edited January 2019
    Doc the Blue Light is "Special".... I have used my Nova 125SE in a variety of rigs, Mine is now like 4 years old and it sounds great...

    Certainly something to consider if you had limited space and need something that can drive just about anything.

    925oik7xucfb.jpg

    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    edited January 2019
    I have no doubt that it's a nice component.

    but...

    LEDs under tubes is just wrong.
    Just.
    Wrong.


    It's like... I dunno...

    tf2fyfrnctq9.png


    or

    xwfq6yhwg7u3.png

    or even

    5jrhzoiax96d.png

    for that matter.


    Yes, McIntosh... I'm lookin' at you, too!


    :|
  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,288
    I just read up on that JBL Authentics L16. supposedly goes down to 35HZ? Looks interesting for sure.
    Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 300, Audioquest Thunderbird Zero Speaker Cable, Tyler Highland H2, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
  • displayname
    displayname Posts: 1,126
    erniejade wrote: »
    I just read up on that JBL Authentics L16. supposedly goes down to 35HZ? Looks interesting for sure.
    It goes deeper than you'd think, but it is fairly one note. It checks all the fun and easy boxes.
    Analog: MoFi MasterTracker > MoFi UltraDeck > Sutherland 20/20
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    Discogs
  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,943
    Doc I absolutely agree!! tubes with LED's under them ugh!


    my Vincent has them mounted next to the tube - much more civilized
  • WLDock
    WLDock Posts: 3,073
    edited January 2019
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    Alright....I spent all weekend at a swim meet looking at integrateds online...and here is a short list:
    1. Marantz PM 14 s1
    2. Dayens Ecstasy 2 or 3
    3. Vincent SV700 but this really pushes the budget
    4. Rogue Audio but the Pharaoh pushes the budget.
    5. Cambridge Audio 840
    Any other contenders out there?
    I've been looking at Vincent Audio stuff myself. I'm hoping 2019 pans out better than past years for my second room system. If I don't get the KEF LS50 Wireless I'm looking at an integrated. I've been keeping an eye out on Chicago area craigslist and recently ran across a cool unit. Its an Audio Research VSi60. I understand that these are supposed to be great sounding units. However, I've never listened to one nor know anything about the blown resistor issues that some have reported.
    https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/ele/d/milwaukee-audio-research-vsi60/6777540091.html

    00v0v_ccwb4vgmrIu_600x450.jpg

    Also, I'm considering taking a chance on a hybrid ShengYa unit from China-hifi-audio.com. As I understand it, they manufacture Vincent Audio units.

    https://www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/shengya-audio-cd-player-amplifier-c-12/shengya-a-88-wireless-hybrid-amp-transistor-integrated-tube-amplifier-bluetooth-p-2129?zenid=1a25de804acf3725da6a9b2bdd9ca2f9

    https://www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/shengya-audio-cd-player-amplifier-c-12/shengya-a17cs-hybrid-class-a-tube-integrated-amplifier-p-218?zenid=1a25de804acf3725da6a9b2bdd9ca2f9

    https://www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/shengya-audio-cd-player-amplifier-c-12/shengya-a-17csii-stereo-integrated-amplifier-transistor-vacuum-tube-hybrid-amp-p-2126?zenid=1a25de804acf3725da6a9b2bdd9ca2f9

    https://www.china-hifi-audio.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&categories_id=&keyword=Shengya

    Also, there is someone on AVS forums selling a slick SimAudio Moon 240i integrated and Philharmonic BMR Philharmonitor speakers. On hell of a combo for $2250!
    https://www.avsforum.com/forum/209-audio-gear/3044608-fs-philharmonic-bmr-speakers-simaudio-moon-240i-integrated-amp.html
    2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2
  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 4,950
    edited January 2019
    This could end up being a steal and Im in a beg for forgiveness type of mood:
    xaul2vthzir8.jpeg
  • stangman67
    stangman67 Posts: 2,179
    I loved my ai-3000! Sounds great, power for days and it’s just so damn nice to look at. Beware it is friggin huge
    2 Channel in my home attic/bar/man cave

    2 Channel Focal Kanta 3 I Modwright SWL9.0 Anniversary Pre I Modwright PH9.0X I Modwright KWA-150SE I VPI Prime Signature w/ Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC I Lumin U2 Mini I North Star Designs Intenso DAC I Audience OHNO ICs/Audience Furutech FP-S55N and FP-S032N Power Cables/Acoustic Zen Satori I Isotek Sirius
  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 4,950
    stangman67 wrote: »
    I loved my ai-3000! Sounds great, power for days and it’s just so damn nice to look at. Beware it is friggin huge
    I am in a beg for forgiveness type of mood and Im pretty sure my Salamender stand is deep enough...
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,560
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    Im pretty sure my Salamender stand is deep enough...

    Measure twice, cut once.
  • Hermitism
    Hermitism Posts: 4,192
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    This could end up being a steal and Im in a beg for forgiveness type of mood:
    Twice I almost bought an integrated amp from them (overtureaudiovideo) on eBay. They have some killer deals because they start with low starting bids and they let the demand dictate the selling price, rather than putting up a giant starting bid and having it get relisted over and over again. Not sure if all their auctions are like that, but I was keeping an eye out for a Marantz integrated and they had two come up when I was looking for one. I ended up buying from someone else, so I can't speak to their shipping practices, but they have 100% positive feedback. Good luck!!
  • Hermitism
    Hermitism Posts: 4,192
    They put a Reserve Price on your auction. I've never understood that. A person's starting bid should be reserve price or the least they'll take for it. I wish eBay would do away with reserve prices.
  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    WLDock wrote: »
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    Alright....I spent all weekend at a swim meet looking at integrateds online...and here is a short list:
    1. Marantz PM 14 s1
    2. Dayens Ecstasy 2 or 3
    3. Vincent SV700 but this really pushes the budget
    4. Rogue Audio but the Pharaoh pushes the budget.
    5. Cambridge Audio 840
    Any other contenders out there?
    I've been looking at Vincent Audio stuff myself. I'm hoping 2019 pans out better than past years for my second room system. If I don't get the KEF LS50 Wireless I'm looking at an integrated. I've been keeping an eye out on Chicago area craigslist and recently ran across a cool unit. Its an Audio Research VSi60. I understand that these are supposed to be great sounding units. However, I've never listened to one nor know anything about the blown resistor issues that some have reported.
    https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/ele/d/milwaukee-audio-research-vsi60/6777540091.html

    00v0v_ccwb4vgmrIu_600x450.jpg

    Also, I'm considering taking a chance on a hybrid ShengYa unit from China-hifi-audio.com. As I understand it, they manufacture Vincent Audio units.

    https://www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/shengya-audio-cd-player-amplifier-c-12/shengya-a-88-wireless-hybrid-amp-transistor-integrated-tube-amplifier-bluetooth-p-2129?zenid=1a25de804acf3725da6a9b2bdd9ca2f9

    https://www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/shengya-audio-cd-player-amplifier-c-12/shengya-a17cs-hybrid-class-a-tube-integrated-amplifier-p-218?zenid=1a25de804acf3725da6a9b2bdd9ca2f9

    https://www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/shengya-audio-cd-player-amplifier-c-12/shengya-a-17csii-stereo-integrated-amplifier-transistor-vacuum-tube-hybrid-amp-p-2126?zenid=1a25de804acf3725da6a9b2bdd9ca2f9

    https://www.china-hifi-audio.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&categories_id=&keyword=Shengya

    Also, there is someone on AVS forums selling a slick SimAudio Moon 240i integrated and Philharmonic BMR Philharmonitor speakers. On hell of a combo for $2250!
    https://www.avsforum.com/forum/209-audio-gear/3044608-fs-philharmonic-bmr-speakers-simaudio-moon-240i-integrated-amp.html

    My experience with Sheng Ya is that they are a Chi-Fi brand that has purportedly copied (i.e., stolen) Vincent designs and marketed them as their own.

    I also had the briefly lived Kavent (US rebranded Sheng Ya) as well. They were identical, internally. I sold the two "older" models to buy a new model of Sheng Ya and it crapped out on me in less than a month. No stateside support so I was SOL.

    30h4qvrbk1k2.jpg
    vcsb2q2rcq50.jpg
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  • WLDock
    WLDock Posts: 3,073
    halo wrote: »
    My experience with Sheng Ya is that they are a Chi-Fi brand that has purportedly copied (i.e., stolen) Vincent designs and marketed them as their own.
    I also had the briefly lived Kavent (US rebranded Sheng Ya) as well. They were identical, internally. I sold the two "older" models to buy a new model of Sheng Ya and it crapped out on me in less than a month. No stateside support so I was SOL.
    Now that sucks BIG time about the unit failing and no support. Do they cover shipping one direction? I actually wondered about how the 1st year warranty would be handled for US purchasers.

    As far as ShengYa / Vincent Audio...one of the reasons I got turned on to them was because I've seen a similar relationship in car audio. There is one particular China manufacture that makes amps for a very reputable and respected brand in the US. Nevertheless, they offer their versions. In many cases the basic design originated in China and modified to the customer's specifications. I've seen the same thing also in many industries like musical instruments, watches, etc.

    This is the info I came across:
    Zhongsan ShengYa Technological Co. Ltd maintains a modern twenty thousand square meter factory in Zhongshan, Guangdong and has been in operation since 1991. In 1995 the company broke into the European market with the establishment of Vincent Audio (Germany) with products under this brand subsequently gaining credibility through endorsement of HiFi magazines, most notably Stereophile who recently issued a B rating for the Vincent Tubeline SV-236MK integrated – a very close derivative of the Sheng Ya A10 CS amplifier. While assembled in the same factory, Vincent models sell for prices around four times higher than Sheng Ya. The Sheng Ya amplifier is advertised by Cattylink as being a Vincent SV-236MK though this is not strictly correct.

    and here:

    https://6moons.com/audioreviews/vincent/vincent.html
    Vincent is a trade mark of the German Sintron company. Despite its Teutonic headquarters, Vincent Audio outsources all production to China where the subcontractor is the local Zhongshan ShengYa company. Design and conception are reputedly German and in fact, all Vincent products share strong European values wherein build quality and reliability occupy the top range of all products generally manufactured in China. That Vincent Audio simply passes on main specifications for each new product to its Sino supplier is likely the case. Thanks to its solid experience in the audio industry now spanning 18 years, ShengYa today designs its own products branded Sheng Ya while the Vincent Audio contract continues. Many design cues of the latest Vincent models seem to in fact have originated in China.
    2.jpg
    So what exactly are Vincent products right now? Rebadged ShengYa or specifically designed for Western markets? Both I think. There are common models bearing both marks -- Sheng Ya and Vincent -- and there are specific models for Europe and the US as well as Asian markets. The specificity of 'Western' products simply seems diluted today even in the differentiation of selected internal parts. However, this review won't focus on the true nature of the Vincent trade mark nor on the question whether Vincent is simply rebranded* and associated claims to the contrary are predominantly marketing strategy; or whether it in fact incorporates a discrete technical identity. I will merely deal with the product's performance and reliability, not the convenience or risk involved in buying the same or 'quite similar' product directly from China. To end that argument, a friend of mine frequently traveling to China for his furniture import business told me that an exotic wardrobe selling in France for €3,000 costs him far less than one forth there.

    2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2
  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,288
    ShengYa YULONG and a few others make for other brands. There are a few more but those are the top 2 that come to mind. I believe Grant Fidelity also used them as well as Jungson, Consonance, Shanling, YAQIN and a few others

    https://www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/shengya-audio-cd-player-amplifier-c-12/shengya-av-715-7-channel-amplifier-for-home-theater-black-p-663?zenid=1a25de804acf3725da6a9b2bdd9ca2f9

    This one looks familiar as well.
    Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 300, Audioquest Thunderbird Zero Speaker Cable, Tyler Highland H2, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.