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.
Ag insider logo xs@2xjprice
flg2001's avatar
flg2001
543 posts
 
Intrigued of your final component list Deadlyvj, were the Jadis/Boulder/Rowland or Gryphon not suitable for your option list criteria?

I have read great things on the Vac Alpha (but never heard it) as well as for the Burmester (but courious to learn why Burmester owners sell their gear so fast...).

As for the Demidorff, not heard it nor read about it before.
lrsky
1,118 posts
 
With the obvious conflict of interest here, I would recommend the LSA Statement at about $11K. I've had virtually everything in my listening room, from Krell to cj, to Jadis to Halcro.
For my musical sensibilities, I've found nothing more musically satisfying. But then we're talking Opus 1 to Silver Oaks or some such.
So many are good to great to wonderful. We all hear various aspects of recordings with differing appreciations. "Which is more dynamic?" "Which is more delicate?" "Which treats strings most accurately, percussion, male vocals, female vocals?"
The interface between speaker and amp is so important as to render many of the differences miniscule.
If you like it--it's good until the Audio Fairy blesses you with more money to restart the search for that Holy Grail. At least you all love music--the greatest gift of all.

Larry
phaelon
1,038 posts
 
"So many are good to great to wonderful. We all hear various aspects of recordings with differing appreciations. "Which is more dynamic?" "Which is more delicate?" "Which treats strings most accurately, percussion, male vocals, female vocals?"
The interface between speaker and amp is so important as to render many of the differences miniscule."

Lrsky, that is one excellent post.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I agree completely that there are many excellent integrated amps, with the only differences being subtle nuances in their respective presentations. None being necessarily better than another. They're just different.

I can also say, based on my experience, that Lrsky has excellent sensibilities when it comes to sound and matching, so I would give his recommendations (whatever they may be) proper consideration.
deadlyvj
65 posts
 
Hello Flg2001,
I tried to reach Gyphon, they do not sell in the US and were quite abrupt about it.

Regarding Rowland, I believe its classD, which (other manufacturers) I've tried and am looking for a different approach to amplify music.

Jadis: I had done some research with great interest, but was little unsure about its reliability as mentioned by a couple of owners here and elsewhere.

I should look back into Boulder, it got lost from my initial list.

Burmester: I've not heard of any fast turnover, but you might be onto something.
More to discover