Best Integrated, period.

Pubul57,

Yes, even when you add a passive attenuator,[I am sure you know that all single box CDP has a built in "preamp",}It is very difficult to do it right....

I have had some integrateds - The three best that como to my mind is the Gryphon Century (the Diablo should be far better, The new Burmester Integrated, and my current Acoustic Plan SITAR.

Depending on your tastes, a SET integrated is a nice option, I liked my time with the AN Meishu but sure there are somo other good contenders out there.

I though the problem with DAC "preamps" was the poor quality of the attenuator, as opposed to let's say a Goldpoint Attenuator being used in an Art Audio Carrissa, or a Placette RVC used in a Moscode 400, for example. Good attenuators are not cheap, but if you use a good one, and you are ok with passives, I'm not sure why "integrating" one in an amp would be a challenge to a Nelson Pass or other good amp designers; of course, some like what a tube buffer and tubes in the "pre" can do to the overall pre/amp circuit. It does seem that the use of a passive pre built into an integrated chassis is becoming a very coming design approach, even in some very expensive gear.

Pubu157,

It is funny isn"t it?It all seems so simple on paper ,but when it comes to executions it is something else..

Of course we are talking about THE BEST of the bests here.If you want a decent sounding Intergrated[Entry level/mid-fi] sytems,it isn't difficult.

I am talking about REFERENCE systems;i.e Intergrated amp that sound even better than the seperates...I think we are talking about a different level of systems. I am sure ,that The Pass Intergrated will sound good in a lot of entry level/mid system;but to take on the Very best??I do not think so.

If you want the VERY BEST;it is better to leave it to the specialists IMHO.Even Mercedes ask Hella to make the lighting systems for their cars;how difficult can making light be?

Fafafion, have you had the opportunity of listening to the Pass integrated?
To which other integrated amps have you had the opportunity of comparing it directly?
How did it fall short?