Rega, Levinson or other Integrated for Avalon Eidelon Diamond


Looking for some feedback on an integrated amp search for my Avalon Eidelon Diamond's (87 dB efficiency). I found a Rega Osiris and a Mark Levinson 5805 in my price range. The 5805 has a phono section which is a plus. Both put out 250 watts in 4ohm, which I need to drive Eidelon's. These are both available locally to me, which is why I'm focusing on them. Open to having something shipped if it's a better fit for my speakers. I'm also open to separates that match within my $4500 but think I can get better value with an integrated system. Need to have a phono section within my budget. Thx. 

bfoura

@bfoura 

 

No worries here ….. it’s is a very beefy, muscular, yet refined and holistic performer. 

Go read the articles highlighting its premium internal components and superior build quality in a dual-mono design. Each channel has its own dedicated custom-made toroid transformer and the quad of Sanken 200W output transistors per channel means this 58 lb behemoth has no problems driving any kind of load.

” …. You know what every great system needs to make it exceptional? Great bass response. It’s not enough to have a system capable of reaching down to 30 Hz. It requires an amplifier capable of controlling the drivers. It’s not wattage that allows an amplifier great control of the low-end. It’s current, and lots of it. 

In most cases, you can recognize an amplifier with ample current delivery by looking at its wattage output as impedance decreases. A great amplifier will double down, so 100 watts at 8 ohms becomes 200 at 4 ohms. There are exceptions to this rule, but it is a great rule of thumb.

The Osiris is one of these exceptions. While it doesn’t double down, it has the current. This is provided by those four Sanken output transistors per channel. They insure that no speaker is too hard to drive.…”

i listen at 8 - 9 o’clock on the volume dial to fully fill a large room for my relatively lowly and inefficient 85db HARBETH speakers.. At 11 o’clock it was a very brief clean and fun experiment but requiring a quick volume scale back to “normal” listening levels .

It has most Impressive power reserves …full,stop. WPC in isolation is meaningless : it’s the very high current grunt ( think amperes,,,,) that provides the oodles of headroom .

Go with the Mark Levinson No. 5805.

Your Avalons are ~85–87 dB “true” sensitivity with a 3.8 Ω minimum and a 6 Ω average load—so they like current + control. 

The 5805 gives you a serious MC/MM phono stage onboard (MC gain ~69 dB with selectable loading 37–1000 Ω; MM gain ~39 dB with selectable capacitance) and stout power (125 W/8 Ω, rated to 4 Ω) with proper damping—exactly what a Lyra Delos–type MC needs. 5805 is the cleanest, safest bet within your budget

Alternatively... Parasound Halo HINT 6, Luxman L-509X, Aesthetix Mimas ...

 

Thanks for the suggestions! I will do some research on them. I know Levinson is high end brand but any feedback on their reliability? I had a power amp (forget the model) that had to be serviced before I bought it. Never gave me any issues while I had it. I also see several open box and B stock Levinson's on Music Direct, etc. 

I remember a few threads regarding 5805's failing.  Not sure if they have resolved that issue but here is one of those discussions.

 

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/levinson-5805?highlight=5805

If I were integrated shopping I would also add Pass labs to consideration.  If you're buying used there are LOTS of great options listed here for sale.