Looking to buy a quality integrated $10,000 budget.
If you can wait some, there's this reference version of the Moonriver Audio Integrated that's going to be reviewed in the next few weeks: https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/moonriver/ All the best, Nonoise |
Bakoon AMP-13R would be great with your speakers. Well below your budget, too. Review in HiFi Knights: http://hifiknights.com/reviews/amplifiers/bakoon-amp-13r/ Review in 6moons: https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/bakoon6/ |
Yes I'll be waiting until after Jan 1st before I buy to get into 2021 tax year. I'll be spreading some money I have from Veterans Affairs around to save some on tax's. The last time I tried OTL's I found them too noisy for the 105db speakers. I agree some of the best tube gear I've listened to but the hum is too much, they were 3rd gen Atma Sphere M60's. Not to mention too many tubes for heat. I'll have a look i think i may have read about them recently. thanks for the suggestion. glen |
https://www.ravenaudio.com/product/reflection-mk2/ Done. Next question? |
The Luxman LX-380 would be a good match with your speakers. I have Luxman tube separates and they have a very low noise floor. http://www.luxman.com/product/detail.php?id=16 |
Hi Glen I have listen to some Moon gear wasn’t for me. And Rega’s new stuff again not for me. Naim, Linn pass not for me, been there done that not my cup of tea. looking for;Of the integrateds I’ve auditioned, the following fit your bill, your preferences, and your budget
Enjoy the quest! |
I own several integrated amps and a variety of speakers. All the choices on your list look good to me, so you can't go wrong. I do own Luxman 590 AXII and I believe you would be very happy with it. As far as tube integrated are concerned you should also consider Raven's Osprey MK3 and the various Allnic tube integrated amps. |
millercarbonhttps://www.ravenaudio.com/product/reflection-mk2/ Done. Next question? Which is the one that works well with horns? The quote below is from the link on the Raven website to the review of the Reflection amp "I don’t think the Raven will mate very well with some horns. Horns tend to enhance dramatic tension, dynamics and detail, and need a partner that will “keep calm and carry on.” In other words, there’s a reason relatively weak single ended amps sound good with horn speakers, they are good partners. From my experience, the Raven is a better match for complicated speakers that need plenty of “oomph.” Though I didn’t have a pair on hand, I believe it would be a good match, in smaller rooms, for the inefficient Magnepan. Also, because the sound is rather “taught,” bass reflex designs will have less overhang. Raven also makes appropriate amps for high efficiency horns. " |
In that price range, Art Audio (I am the importer) offers a few products that are spectacular. With those speakers, I find 845s to be a hair too bright. Good options would be: An Opus 2 which is 15w Triode Coupled integrated. It has three RCA inputs and remote volume. If you like the warmth and clarity of an EL34, this is a brilliant option. This will ship with Sophia EL34s. The PX25 is a 5W SET using the PX25 Tube which is a tube that is a sort of middle ground between the detail and crispness of a 2A3 and the Lushness of a 300B. It is closer to a 300B than a PX4 which is closer to a 2A3. Dick Olsher referred to the sound as "velvet in a bottle." This will ship with KR PX25s. The Symphony II which is a 10W SET and is basically a 10w 300B version of the PX25. 300Bs are well know for delivering a lush, addictive midrange and are one of the best matches for your speakers. This would be my first choice. This ships with Emission Labs 300Bs. They can all be had for between $9,500 and $10,000. You will see Art Audio was owned by a lot of folks out in Whats Best Forum and is a brilliant line of products. PM me if you are interested. |
We have probably more integrated amps on display the most dealers We have the anazing coda csib which beat the luxman We have the synthesis a100t a 100watt kt 66power house also awesome and stunning looking We have naim anthem,unison research, musical fidelity, micromega and many others Dave and troy Audio intellect Nj |
Thanks everyone for the input, I'm looking at LTA seriously now as well as my LUX- Accuphase options I've mentioned and totally forgot the Leman, Shido, Bolder etc stuff. Art Audio is interesting. note though I will not go to 300b's again. couple good suggestions but I need 4 inputs and a remote so a couple are out due to only 3 inputs and no remote. I've also had a Line Magnetic 845 tube integrated in my system for a few days and it was a not to my tastes I agree the 845 is a little too top heavy. thanks everyone. glen |
The Luxmans are great choices. The 590 has much more power than the 30 W would indicate, like a lot more. It seems to be underrated only due to the heat sinks, but otherwise would look closer to 100W. It really is an unfair 30W Class A amp. A great choice for less efficient speakers for sure, and a great sounding amp overall. The LX 380 is more accurately rated, and probably all you need. I’d love for you to listen to and tell me how it sounds. :) |
Anthem STR Integrated, Canadian made at less than half your budget.
Anthem® | Performance Collection | STR Integrated Amplifier | Overview
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Modwright Integrated KWH225i Seems to check off the boxes https://sotaturntables.com/company-news/change-of-the-guard-with-modwright-integrated-kwh-225i/?fbcl... |
The Linear Tube Audio (LTA) ZOTL Ultralinear was designed for speakers like yours. Tubes last 10-20,000 hours so no issue there. And dead quiet black black background. And with basically a 30 day in-home trial there is zero risk which is what you want when spending that much money. Could be a match made in heaven and end game for you. A no downside value proposition. I own their microzotl preamp and a pair of their z40 reference amps. Holographic is the best way to describe the combination. |
“Surprised that Gryphon has only been mentioned once.” OP prefers ‘I tend to a slightly warmer side of neutral’ and Gryphon sound is neutral. So is Burmester and Vitus. While I like the suggested LTA ZOTL Ultralinear option, I would not ‘settle’ with LTA without first listening to Accuphase or Luxman Integrated. Like OP, i also prefer the slightly warmer sound and I end up keeping the Accuphase E-650 over Luxman L-509X. My speakers are Tannoy Canterbury’s. |
Hello Glen, I just read the 6moons review on the David Berning designed LTA ZOTL and it sure seems to meet your requirements. It's a very positive review that'll give you a good idea of what to expect: https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/lineartubeaudio/ I also went on their website and they're offering 10% off retail price right now and have several links to other professional reviews: https://www.lineartubeaudio.com/products/zotl-ultralinear-integrated-amplifier I need to let you know, however, that I have no direct experience listening to this amp and no association with LTA. I actually use high powered ss amps with larger and inefficient Magnepans in my own system. But I've always loved the palpable, walk through soundstage imaging and natural timbres experienced through a well sorted tube system. I can still appreciate the enticement of a reviewer stating: "The ZOTL Ultranier attempts to strike a balance between triode and pentode where ultralinear topology delivers a less forward presentation but maintains the speed and dynamics of a pentode, then combines it with the rich tonality, organic timbres and three-dimensional meaty imaging of a triode design." Wouldn't we all like to own, or at least experience, a system like that? Tim |
Glen, I just took delivery of a LTA Z10 integrated. My speakers are JBL 580 with a sensitivity of 90DB. The Z10's 12 w/c are more than enough to drive them at high volume settings, not just loud but a full sound all frequencies well displayed. Sound is quite different from SS or tubes. It is just music, the instruments sound very natural and the amp is so quiet. Your speakers at 105db I doubt will need more than 5 w/c. Regards, Dan |
I've reached out to LTA for more information defiantly a top choice from what I've read. thanks for that suggestion. Diablo 300 way too much power but the diablo 120 is interesting. I've never had the experience to see let alone hear anything from Gryphon though and I doubt there will be anywhere close to listen. Maybe in Seattle or Vancouver those are the two largest places that are reasonable distance to me that I will travel for this perches if i don't buy used that is. I'm not apposed to buying unseen as they say if I know the reputation of the company and have many reviews to help judge. But listening touching is ideal of course. Many good suggestions I had not considered thank you all. Chorus, I did not see any Integrated amps on Merrill's site. coming soon though. I'll not be looking at Krell, levenson or moon not to my taste but thanks for the suggestion. Looks like i have a good start to do some thinking and research - listening if I can find a place. My Plan is to get off this merry-go-round of audio equipment and settle down and just enjoy into retirement. Thanks again everyone for the excellent feedback and suggestions. Glen |
op if u are sticking to your super efficient super easy to drive la scala’s and love their sound, and don’t have a huge room, there are so so many low wattage fine, fine amps you can choose from -- 10 grand can be very well spent on some great ones but you certainly don’t need to spend 10k to get some serious magic goin' on... your list seems to weighed towards much higher wattage units, that will not sound as sweet nor as organic as the super pure se tube amps - i think that is entirely the wrong direction if you are committed to the la scala's i for one still have some great low wattage amps from years ago, but i just could not live with the various high efficiency/horn/paper cone speakers i have tried over time that they could drive properly - but i haven’t given up, and still keep my cary 300b sei and my wavelength cardinals for that day the right super hi-eff speakers come along... |
Take a look at a few years old T+A PA3000HV. https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/ta-pa-3000-hv-and-mp-3000-hv/ With a bit of patience you should be able to land one for about $6k. Original MSRP was ~17K. |
If i go SS I'll most likely go Class A so all these big power amps I'll be passing on I have no use of hundreds of watts when 2wpc is enough 30wpc is perfect. So Pass labs if i go that way will be one of their class A amps not he INT250 for example. CJ I've not looked at them for years since I owned a per-power 16 years ago. mm interesting same as Cary Audio but I hear they have gone down in quality since Denice Hadd retired. Shame some of the most fun i had in audio was through a SLP 94 preamp and SLM 100 mono amps set up driving some Proac Response 2.5's back 15+ years ago now. Time marches forward and we get old haha. cheers all have a great week glen |
Glen - here are my two cents - I just got my Krell K300i 8 months ago. You really need to hear this integrated amp. It has great control of the bass - a great soundstage and plenty of power to push my Magnapan 1.7is. Your speakers are much more efficient so you would never be pushing this unit even close to 'running it hard'. It is Class A with a patent on it's design - "sliding bias". You can get it with a built in DAC if you wish - less boxes - I did not - I stream using LUMIN. The unit's build quality is great, and service is great - I have been a Krell user for over 20 years. Just my two cents - Happy Listening |
