2. amps-preamps
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Is There any Truly "High End" Integrated Amp?


I'm a reasonably well experienced audio nut and have tried a number of "good" integrated amps. I wonder, though, if there are integrated amps that are good enough for the "best", most revealing speakers. (Think Avalon Eidolon, Verity Parsifal, various JM Lab Utopias, and a variety of other fine speakers that do not have mammoth power requirements.)

People talk about the Levinson, the Musical Fidelity KW-500 and the lesser MF amps, the BAT integrated, The Rowland Concerto, etc. etc. etc.

I would like to hear from people who have actually tried the top tier of integrated amps and would be very interested in learning of their findings.

Don't need to be the most expensive. Could be the YBA Passion, Classe, MacIntosh 6900, Krell 400i, or any of a number of integrated amps that are supposed to sound good.

Hope to hear some good feedback.

Thanks very much.
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Showing 2 responses by jsaah

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jsaah
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I have about 200 hours on my VAC PHI Beta integrated (sells for 19000.) It is simply the finest sound I have had in my system. I have had separates until now, including Macintosh, Pass Labs, Plinius, Aesthetix, and a few others. Coherent sound from top to bottom, plenty of bass focus and punch. Sweet, rich tube sound, with plenty of weight. I am using it to drive my Genesis 501's and it also has a very good phono stage as well. Worth a listen IMHO.Kevin Hayes thinks it's the best piece to come out of his shop, and that's saying a lot.
Joe
jsaah's avatar
jsaah
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Henryhk: I'm driving Genesis 501's with my VAC PHI Beta. Plenty of power to spare. The Genesis are tunable to the room with built in equalizers- and I find that invaluable. The Vac makes me smile everytime I play music. About 50% SACD's and 50% vinyl--equally good for both. I am an acoustic bass player and the sound is so very accurate. I had Macintosh SS poweramps (501 monoblocs) with Mac tube pre: C2200. I have lost nothing going from SState to all tubes, and feel that I have gained an intimacy and presence which I formerly lacked. Good luck!
Joe
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