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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
decooney
2,564 posts
 

@wharfy ""What are you going to do when you get older, and can’t move the amp?"

For a main system, I replaced my heavier and less manageable 87lb solid state stereo amplifier with two separate 40lb tube mono amplifiers. Cuts the weight and size closer to half.   Also have 40% more transformer iron with weight split across two chassis. Easier to lift, manage, move.  Less risk of droppage or damage. 

Your thread here reminded me why I don’t want to go back to a big and heavy consolidated integrated amplifier for now. Still tempting though, decisions decisions. 

jkeitel's avatar
jkeitel
26 posts
 

I like my Enleum Amp 23R

It is small and light, while hitting the sweet spot for me

between SS consistency and the tube sound I enjoy.

 

 

 

 

rjduncan
61 posts
 

I have a Hegel 390.  I love the power 1st and foremost. 250w 8ohms per channel so it can handle even the most demanding speakers l. 2nd it is very minimalist in its design. 3rd it is very simple to operate. Basically input selection and volume control. 4th it just sounds great in my room with my other components. My only downside is that it only has one XLR in. I’d prefer two. That can be remedied however with the 590 or 600. And then also I think to your point, it isn’t light. Weighs 44 lbs/20kg. 

dwest1023
353 posts
 

Well, I’m 71, and I let the influencers influence me. I have 6 integrated. My heaviest
being my pass 250. The pass, as my winter amp as it helps heat my room. It weights 109 pounds and I use a hydraulic jack with wheels to move it. No way I can lift it. I love its midrange especially with female voices. My other amps are Hegal 390, Accuphase 380, Krell k300i, Electrocompaniet ECI 6 MK II, Macintosh 352. I rotate the amps when I decide I want a different presentation. 

vthokie83
1,224 posts
 

Wharfy

I would start looking into Class D amplifiers, as they are often much much lighter, create much  less heat, and are now sounding great. Do some looking into, as Class D has come a long way:

AGD Tempo di GaN MkII monoblocks - 10 pounds, 100wpc, $5,500 OR Audion MMkII  6.5 pounds each 100wpc 8ohms, 200wpc 4ohms $7,850 per pair

Atma-Sphere Class D Monoblocks - 15 pounds each, 100wpc 8ohms, 200wpc 4 ohms $6,200 per pair

Lyngdorf SDA-2400 Stereo Amp - 15 pounds, 200wpc 8ohms, 400wpc 4 ohms, $3,400

PeachTree GAN-1 stereo - 12 pounds 200wpc 8ohms or 4ohms, $1,600 OR X2 stereo amplifier 24 pounds, 350wpc 8ohms, 700wpc 4ohms $2,800

I have heard the AGD amplifiers and the Atma-Sphere and found them to be excellent amplifier; though I've never had either in my own system to demo

I have no experience with either the Lyngdorf or PeachTree amps

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