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My quest: an integrated with great imaging. Help

My listening room is also my family room, so the WAF dictates that I do a neat installation with the fewest components possible. Currently I'm using a Sim Audio I-5 integrated which seems to be excellent. However, I often wonder if another brand/model will do the 3-D thing even better...imaging is first on my personal list of attributes. Can you suggest an integrated that I should listen to? My requirements include a remote control (volume control would be adequate); it could be tube or solid state. My speakers are Tyler Linbrook Monitors with 90 - 92 dB efficiency and I sit about 10' from each. I usually play classical, pop vocal, show music, nothing harder than Dire Straits at "moderately loud" levels. Thank you.
pendragn
reubent
3,587 posts
 
When someone mentions WAF, I automatically think that your speaker positioning isn't optimal. I have a couple of friends with great components that have systems that sound mediocre. The soundstage especially suffers from the speaker placement in their systems. I agree that the Pathos is an awesome amp, but the Moon is highly regarded too. I would first check my speaker position, then your source. BTW, what are you using for CD player or turntable? The source can make a huge difference in soundstage. I have had a couple of reference DVD players that were ok tonally, but suffered in imaging/soundstage. My Arcam Alpha 9 or Theta Miles are MUCH better. Outboard DAC with DVD player was also a huge improvement.

Enjoy,

TIC
pendragn OP
11 posts
 
Thanks, guys. I appreciate the input y'all have provided so far. To answer cfb's questions: sources are Cary CD-303 player and McIntosh MR-77 FM tuner; cables are Silver Audio Bullets (1/2M) CD --> amp, and Audioquest AQ-8s (8 ft.) bi-wired to the Linbrook Monitors.
garfish
1,840 posts
 
I agree with cfb and Reubent, good imaging is more a function of the listening room and speaker placement than anything else-- assuming decent equipment and wire(s). Your Sim Audio I-5 is a well regarded component. Good Luck. Craig.
pendragn OP
11 posts
 
Gentlemen, your comments are helpful, and insightful concerning speaker placement. My listening room is free of any gross anomalies, luckily, but you hit the nail on the head concerning the former: the rear-ported Linbrooks must stay close to the wall behind them...not optimum. But even with this limitation I'm getting excellent L -> R imaging and so-so front to back imaging. Been wndering if another amp can make a diff on the front to back thing.
darkmoebius
899 posts
 
Why not a tube integrated amp? Your speakers are realtively efficient(92dB) and it doesn't sound like you need teeth shattering power, so a high quality SET, or more aptly parallel SET for more power, push-pull, or ultralinear design might do nicely. IMO, tube equipment generally tends to have greater soundstage, imaging, and depth.

Checkout:
1. Bel Canto SETi 40 (stunning looks)
http://www.belcantodesign.com/html/p_seti40.html

2. Rogue Audio Tempest (Magnum version) runs in triode and ultralinear
http://www.rogueaudio.com/

3. Audiomat Arpege (not sure if it has remote)

4. VTL integrated (ugly sucker, though)
http://www.vtl.com/pages/integrated.html
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