2. amps-preamps
  3. 1136848549

Is There any Truly "High End" Integrated Amp?


I'm a reasonably well experienced audio nut and have tried a number of "good" integrated amps. I wonder, though, if there are integrated amps that are good enough for the "best", most revealing speakers. (Think Avalon Eidolon, Verity Parsifal, various JM Lab Utopias, and a variety of other fine speakers that do not have mammoth power requirements.)

People talk about the Levinson, the Musical Fidelity KW-500 and the lesser MF amps, the BAT integrated, The Rowland Concerto, etc. etc. etc.

I would like to hear from people who have actually tried the top tier of integrated amps and would be very interested in learning of their findings.

Don't need to be the most expensive. Could be the YBA Passion, Classe, MacIntosh 6900, Krell 400i, or any of a number of integrated amps that are supposed to sound good.

Hope to hear some good feedback.

Thanks very much.
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audio4ever
26 posts
 
Have you heard of Simaudio's new Moon i-7? It's supposed to kick as, according to Sim, deliberately underpriced for "extreme market penetration" as someone told me. Check it out - I'll bet it will sound excellent.
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bobf
207 posts
 
Ditto !!
I have a MK II that I am using with a Bluenote Stibbert and I have never been more pleased in 30 years of listening.
I was a skeptic until a friend came over and said "Lets unplug that Levinson 32 and that Plinius amp and let's pop this baby in."
The DK did have a $300 pair of nos Amperex in it,but do the math.
Needless to say the Levinson and the Plinius are living in someone else's house now.
TRY A DK !!!!!!!
pardales
652 posts
 
I have heard good things about the Unison Unico (though havenot lived with it). I have lived with the MAC 6900 and thought it quite nice.
tmhaudio
99 posts
 
The New Audio Frontiers (Italy) 845 SET integrated is very impressive - think "Ongaku" sound. Strong power supply drives speakers quite well. We have added this line as the pricing is more affordable but the performance is really amazing. Certainly Class "A" in sound, aesthetics and construction in every sense!
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