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
Who cares as long as it sounds good. According to Luxman's literature it's basically a traditional push pull circuit with their ODNF Only Distortion Negative Feedback. I would assume it uses the lowest amount of quiescent current in favor of lower distortion, higher efficiency, cooler operation and reliability much like McIntosh does. |
@ghdprentice -"Looked at it in three dimensions." Spoken like an ARC owner who appreciates a wide, three-dimensional soundstage, "holographic" imaging. But seriously, your solution is likely one that the great builders of antiquity used to move heavy loads. David |
If I had your system rather than spending $$ on a new one I'd take some of the advice others gave and get a neighbor or younger friend to help clean/move your equipment when needed. I'm 70 and I feel your pain (literally). Six years ago I opted for an "all-in-one" system for myself. I got a Naim Uniti Star and a pair of Goldenear Reference speakers, some nice cables and a power conditioner. Your speakers are probably comparable to the GE's, so the Star would power them fine. I don't remember the weight but definitely way less than 75 lb. The Star has a built in CD player/ripper and streaming capability. It's worked out really well for me and the sound is wonderful. |
I agree that aging has taken it's toll on my abilities as well. I am now 65 and have recently had partial knee replacement (torn meniscus from moving a clothes washing machine) and just had ankle surgery to clean out bone spurs and tendon & ligament repairs. My speakers weigh 105 pounds each, and I used to have a Krell amp that was good for 100 pounds. Your ARC amp isn't really bad at 47 lbs., but the bulky shape hampers it's access. Do you have it on a separate Amp Stand? That might help. Also you might try setting on those moving sliders to ease it out. Regardless, I am considering similar integrated options for my next home. One thing your question didn't address is how much power you need for your system. Also, what budget $s are you at? One tubed integrated I've been considering is Quicksilver Audio; it's 33 lb. but no balanced inputs and only 25WPC output. It's priced at $2495 w/o the phono card and made in the USA. Another option you might consider would be to move to mono amps. Then you have the power split into two chassis. |
I’m not in this place, yet, but a friend who’s had great stuff all his life (think: boutique, small watt Dennis Had amps and the like) recently moved to his "integrated, end-game solution," Leben. I’d not seen Leben mentioned so I thought I’d put that brand into the mix. 100 wpc, 51 lbs. CS-1000P Stereo Power Amplifier |
