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Integrated with Phono Stage under $10K

I'm looking to move up in the world and get a great integrated. I want to simplify in the process so I prefer it have a phono stage too. It will be mated with ProAc speakers (Response 1SC currently, Response D28 in the near future).

I enjoyed the Manley Stingray I had, but it lacked detail and staging and was a bit noisy. The Red Wine Audio I use right now is awesome where the stingray isn't, but is not as musical. I want both.

Contenders thus far are:

Copland CTA 405
Gryphon Atilla
VAC Integrated (Current Alpha or older Avatar)

Comments from owners would be aprreciated. What else should I be looking at?
shazam

Showing 2 responses by jmcgrogan2

jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I haven't heard the Copland or the Gryphon, but I currently own a VAC Avatar Super, and I'm very happy with it, though I do use a SS outboard phono stage as Chazz recommends. The internal phono section is pretty decent, but it wasn't good enough for me to sell my outboard stage.
The best SS integrated that I've owned with phono stage was a Jeff Rowland Concentra II. Personally I liked the Pass Labs INT-150 and Karan KA I-180 better, but neither one of those had a phono stage.

McIntosh MA2275 and BAT VK-300xSE are also two very good integrated amps with phono stages.

Cheers,
John
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Congrats and enjoy. Let us know what you think after you've had a chance to listen a bit.
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