Integrated Amp - Looking to replace my amp & pre

Bob,

What are your current speakers? What type of sound are you looking for? Are there any features that are important to you, or can you live with a more 'purist' piece?

I made the switch, from a ARC REF 3 preamp and highly modified BAT VK-75SE to a VAC Avatar Super (80 wpc). I won't lie and say the VAC sounds better, but it is simpilar (my wife can even play music now) and the sonics are 'in the ballpark'. I like the VAC much better than the Jeff Rowland Concentra II that I owned.

Other integrateds that I would love to hear are the new Pass Labs INT 150, Karan Acoustics KA-180, McIntosh MA2275, Ayon Audio Triton, GamuT DI 150, Accuphase E-550, Goldmund Telos 390, AMR AM-77, Krell KBI, VAC Phi Beta, to name a few.....

Happy hunting,

John

I use the Musical Fidelity NuVista M3. They have several large integrated. If I were looking at the top of your budget I would definitely look at the ASR Emitter, it has gotten good reviews and looks very well built.

The new Luxman stuff is awesome!

I've owned a Luxman L5 integrated (the old Luxman stuff :)for 30 years. Used it as my main rig when I was younger, bedroom system when older, and now I use it to drive my surround sound speakers while my MF separates drive the mains. Never, ever, felt like it was a compromise. Always loved it's sound, it's versatility, ease of setup and use.

I'd say be sure to get one that has gain adjusted and non-adjusted line outs... because you never know how handy this is until it solves a setup issue you didn't know you had :)

Musical Fidelity makes quite a few serious integrated amplifiers. That's where I'd recommend you start for a big power integrated.