+1 on the Krell k300i. I have one and it is simply excellent.
From your list, I would lean to Accuphase as well, but I the Krell sounds better to my ears.
Have a bug for a new (to me) integrated
Hello all. I am seeking some opinions on a new to me integrated. Currently I have a Cary SLI80HS powering my beloved Volti Razz speakers. I want to keep the Cary, it really is a great tube amp. It's just that I've never powered my Razz with SS and I am very curious. Also I enjoy rotating gear in and out of my set up, always have.
I have narrowed my pre-owned contenders a bit, I am open to other suggestions too. Trying to stay in the $3 to $4k range. I listen mostly to metal, rock, and Jazz. Room is about 12'x12, not well treated other than a love seat and a couple other pieces of furniture.
Naim Supernait 3
Luxman
Accuphase
McIntosh.
I welcome all discussions and suggestions.
Thank you!
@doyle3433 I had the Krell k300i and the Duo 175XD amp which has the same Duo design for both. I loved the sound of both. It seems to me all your choices are super warm with tubelike characteristics. Other than more power you are not really going away from your comfort zone of tubes. If you want to really explore the dark side of SS do a 30-day home trial of the Benchmark AHB2 amp with your tube preamp. That could be great and 100% different than all SS amps except maybe the SimAudio Moon 761 + 861 amps. I just looked up your speakers and see that they are horns. The AHB2 are paired a lot with horns because of the silky-smooth top and deep space like noise level. I once sold AHB2 monos to a guy with horns. I am debating this myself as I demo an incredible tube DAC vs the most resolving DAC available (SS). What to choose is a tough one. |
All the usual suspects, Accuphase, Luxman, Pass each brand excellent in there own unique way. Why not go outside the box, try an older Chord, Esoteric or Plunius integrated. They pop up from time to time in the $4K range. I see an Esoteric I 03 for sale right now on this site. There are Plinius Hauntonga integrateds outing the wild too as well as various Chord pieces. I had a Chord CPM 3300 for a long while and it was an outstanding piece of electronics. |
@doyle3433 Would be cool if the suggestion I have is a surprise for you. Are you familar with Lyngdorf? I own the first generation of their unique circuitry. It has some pretty nice muscle behind it and cool specs. But the newer version, which dfiinitely has enough power for your taste, also has real nice adaptability including the ability to run your sweet Cary amp that you're madly in love with right through it, so you can retain the best of both worlds,maybe? If you do a cursory search inquiring what's unique about their TDAI approach I bet you'll at least be intrigued. I took a total leap, and all I can say is Wow. I think, what makes it such a great choice, ultimately, as a piece of equipment is the Lyngdorf native room control. I read a lot of reviews years ago before I purchased and literally everybody was raving about it. And I concur. Curious to know if anyone else on this thread has any firsthand experience with the Lyngdorf TDAI technology I'm referring to? Good luck on your search, man. |