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

@wharfy - maybe the best option now is to see what’s available within your budget before changing components.  Demoing may yield a direction to pursue within budget.  

Both my tube amps needed repair recently and I picked up a used Pass INT-25 last week and it's going to stay.  Fantastic sounding, dead silent at idle and I know it's going to work.  Plenty of power for my Tannoy Stirling GR's.  Around 50 pounds which is still doable at a beat up 65.  Tried the Atmasphere class D's a while back and like the INT-25 better with my speakers.  Owned a X250 20 plus years ago and knew the Pass might fill the bill.  I'll probably keep a tube amp around to rotate but for now not missing them at all.  Good luck.

@kennyc -"maybe the best option now is to see what’s available within your budget before changing components.  Demoing may yield a direction to pursue within budget."

Agree. It's a sensible solution to a situation that may, or may not be as big of a problem as I intiailly thought. 

@pehare -

I heard the Pass INT-25 at some point and remember liking iyts sound. Could be worth a re-visit. I have been reading about the Atmasphere class D's. They are "interesting." I just wonder if I need a 100W, or if its something I should even ponder.

The Pass INT's have added a healthy dose of rhythm and pace that used to be absent. That very well could be what our are hearing. No where near the rhythm and pace of the Audio Research I/70 but a substantial improvement over earlier models.