Integrated Amp Question for a Newbie to the Forum


Hello Audiogon Community!


First time posting to this forum. I’m somewhat of a novice when it comes to hifi audio gear. I’m looking to replace a busted McIntosh MX110 preamp and an outgoing MC225 amp and have been looking to consolidate and upgrade to an integrated amp. My current setup is:


• Jolida JD9 II phono preamp

• Pro-ject 2Xperience Classic Turntable 

• Monitor Audio Silver RX6 Floor speakers 

• CD player to buy soon

• Streaming player to buy soon


For the integrated amplifier, I’ve heard a lot of good things about -

Luxman L-509X and L-590AXII

Hegel H390 and H590

Mark Levinson 5805

McIntosh 7200

We play everything from rock to jazz to R&B, hip hop and everything in between. I’m looking to keep the integrated amp in the sub 10k range and will eventually add the streaming player (I hear good things about the Lumin T2 and the Lynn Selekt) and the CD player. 


Do you all have any recos on what you think would sound good with the setup I have? We like a dynamic and warm sound. Appreciate any advice!


Cheers


fourminutesong
So...neutral vs forward/bright vs laid back/warm is really a matter of personal preference.  If you had a McIntosh tube amp paired with the MA Silvers, yes, the current sound profile would be a touch warm.  

Warm is going to be very easy to listen too.  Tends to be a hair forgiving and you will find things like piano will lack some sparkle but horns and strings will be easy on the ears.  This could be listened too for days and you will never have a moment where you feel fatigued listening.  

A forward sound will add some sparkle to piano, strings will be bolder and more details tend to come out.  I find there is a fine line between enhanced detail and fatiguing, unpleasantness.  My personal preference is a slightly forward sound profile.  I pair a forward speaker and DAC with a warm amp & preamp for a net result that is a hair forward of neutral.  I find this offers a wonderful level of detail and musicality without being fatiguing but it is a very fine line.  

A neutral sound will be remarkable in that it won't be remarkable.  Piano will be balanced and will sound natural.  Horns will be easy to listen too and airy.  Detail will be there but might also be a hair lacking in certain places.  There may be a fatiguing moment in a song but on the whole, it will not be a fatiguing sound.  

Luxman with new Monitor Audios or Dynaudio is going to give you what you had but with more detail as they are simply better made speakers. 

If you were to select a warm speaker like Wharfedale or Vandersteen and pair it with a warmer amp, you may find that the sound would drift into a dark territory.  

If you were to pair Luxman with a brighter speaker like B&W or Paradigm, your net result will be brighter than what you had but relatively neutral.  Your sources also factor in here along with your cables though most reasonably priced cables are not going to color the sound in a significant way.  
Scanning through your sound performance preferences it would all be so easy if you could just come and hear mine. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367  Oh well.
I have heard the following that are similar to the OP's choices.

Luxman L-509X

Hegel H360 (similar to the 390)

Mark Levinson 585 and 5805

I recently bought a used CODA CSiB. This unit was from 2018 and does not have the latest CSiB amp internals from the CODA #8 nor does it have the latest preamp upgrade internals ($150 upgrade). The CODA is an amazing preamp, for the $3400 price I paid is a bargain. The ML 585 is another integrated that I thought was great. I think the CODA is quieter though and just as powerful.  The CSiB comes in 3 versions


V1 - 150 watts | 300 @  8 and 4 Ohm with first 18 in Class A

V2 - 250 watts | 500 @ 8 and 4 Ohm with first 12 in Class A

V3 - 400 watts | 800 @ 8 and 4 Ohm with first 8 in Class A 


I have Version 1 and tried it out with my 2 Ohm-ish Thiel CS3.7. It sounded great. I am currently using the CSiB as a RAAL SR1a headphone amp.


Compared to the others I have heard the CODA is like the ML 585 which I thought was the best integrated I had heard. I think the CODA is similar to the ML, maybe better for my preferences since it seems quieter.

Thanks, yyzsantabarbara. Good to know you're a fan of the 585 too. Seems like Class A amps put out a bit more power and may sound a bit warmer. Overgeneralization? 

On another note, I'm curious what you all think are the quality music streamers out there. A buddy of mine has the Lumin T2 that he swears by where I see a ton of reviews for the Naim Uniti Atom as well. Others say the Lynn Selekt is great. 

I've just started exploring the premium service with Tidal which sounds great and I"ve heard good things about Roon but haven't tried it yet myself. But having something that can also stream the 300GB of personal music I have ripped is great too.

What do you all recommend with that in mind? Appreciate any advice as always. Cheers
Go for some pre owned Monitor Audio Golds! Tmr has a pair of smaller platinums for $2200 with stands.  Not sure how big your room is...