2. amps-preamps
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To integrate or not...

Hi all

Many of you have far more experience of products & change of equipment than me, so... which of you have moved from seperate to an integrated & why? Are some of you having serious consideration switching to an integrated...?

I know there are reasons for not due to the inability to change amps & interconnects. Plus if there is a failure then you're without pre & power.

I'm currently inclined to move to an integrated, preferably tube. Present contenders are PrimaLuna Evo 400 & Pass INT-60.

I'm currently using Octave HP700 pre (tubes upgraded to gold pin Siemens) with phono module, Wyred 4 Sound SX-1000R monos & Audio Physic Avantera III.

The Avantera III are fairly sensitive at 89db so not such an issue for lower power integrated options. 

Thanks 
Rich
128x128infection
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@infection   Since you are considering tubed integrateds, take a look at Lyric out of Germany.

I've gone back and forth between integrateds and separates many times. No correct nor wrong approach. Just a choice.
nquery
103 posts
 
I’ll second the Line Magnetic LM-805ia. 48 wpc of SET magic, amazing transformers (it weighs 90 lbs), and great looks. It’s truly in another league than the PrimaLuna Evo 400 (which is manufactured in China by a formerly related company Cayin).
jerry_gt3rs
82 posts
 
infection,
   I was previously using Boulder 2000 series separates which were wonderful. I sold them and decided to simplify my system and purchased the Octave after listening to a handful of options in my dedicated room. I do not have a black box, but I suspect I will try the SBB at some point. As for phono, I have the little Nagra battery powered unit. While it does not compare to my old Boulder 2008, it is quite good and dead quiet which is very important to me. I am sure the Octave phono section is also very good, I did prefer to have the flexibility to try others in the future as most of my serious listening is vinyl sourced.
mr_m
1,900 posts
 
Naim Uniti series integrated amps are very nice.
avanti1960
1,405 posts
 
we all tend to like change for something new even if it is a move in reverse. proper separates are that way for a reason.  typically a much more dynamic life like sound and a more true window into the music.  having just upgraded to sepatates the sound is so much better especially through the balanced connections.  
IMHO your weak link are your power amps.  upgrade them to something special and it will be a step forward.  
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