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What do you like about your integrated amp?

So, the other day I was moving my ARC REF 75 amp to clean the insides, along with the shelf it was sitting on, when suddenly I felt a stabbing pain in one of my obliques, as I was twisting my body.

Shouting out a quick, "Oh f***," my wife said, "What are you going to do when you get older, and can't move the amp?" I have periodically wondered that myself, since I am just shy of 71.

As the discussion title says-what do you like about your integrated amp? It's a wide-open query because I'm thinking if I'm going to consolidate my equipment, let's see what's out there? I'm partial to tube equipment and have enjoyed Audio Research for almost 30 years. Does that mean I should get an ARC integrated? Maybe, maybe not.

FTR--I listen to lots of jazz, folk, classical, not that much rock beyond what I grew up listening to-Beatles, the Dead, the Stones--stuff like that. I have a pair of ProAc 30Rs, an Aurender server, and an ARC CD6SE.

All your comments are appreciated-

David 

 

wharfy
inna
8,240 posts
 

That Gryphon Diablo is great and so is Diablo 120.

I like my VAC Avatar SE because it has tubes and because it's mine forever. It sounds good too.

78sman
46 posts
 

I use primaluna monoblocks in my main system, but I have a Pathos InPol Hydrid in my office/den system.  I love the Pathos because it is so musical.  My musical tastes are eclectic, but my favorites are jazz, pre-WWII (mostly accoustic) blues, and classical.  Unfortunately the Pathos weighs about 85 lbs. so it's heavier than your AR

billstevenson
1,164 posts
 

My wife and I just returned to our second home in Northern New Hampshire and I fired up the system.  The amp is a Marantz PM10, an integrated Class D.  I like it for a lot of reasons.  It sounds quite OK, it drives the somewhat difficult load imposed by a pair of B&W 802 Diamonds without breaking a sweat, it looks good, it seems like it is likely to easily outlast me.  And it is hassle free.  Oh and I did not pay an arm and leg to acquire it.  On the down side it is a bit of a beast to move around, so I don't do that.  Instead upon arrival I plug it in and play music.  In fact it never gets turned off until we leave.  

thecarpathian's avatar
thecarpathian
6,087 posts
 

@billstevenson ,

You are in for one snowy, freezing week my friend!

Just got to my house in northeast Florida from Connecticut, so I’m gonna miss all the fun.

zx10
142 posts
 

79 here. McIntosh MA 7900 integrated with a MR-71 tube tuner stop. Will not fit in my audio video cabinet with swivel TV stand so I got a h.d. nice looking table that holds 125 lbs with a top shelf and another one below. Soundbar sub fits on the bottom. Clear plastic cover keeps the int and tuner nice and clean with just an occasional feather duster I do myself. My housekeeper just cleans around it. A young sturdy friend hoisted the beast up on the table. If it ever does need to be moved it won't be me.

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