Best integrated for under $20K

egidius · Jan 3, 2017

integrated

iaxel said:
That will be able to drive tough loads (low impedances and sensitivity).
The likes of Gryphon, Pass come to mind.
Any other suggestions/recommendations?

Could we think back only ten years, and maybe go to Germany, where integrateds were always high on the list:

The uncrowned king was Accuphase against which the formidable German ASR (formerly Schäfer & Romp) would contend, and maybe the fancy looking Burmester (I never liked them, so cannot judge).

I loved the Accuphase E 530 and the 550, which I only let go in favour of Berning amplification.

If you need that much power (I always thought that 30W should be able to drive anything, otherwise there is something wrong with the speakers)
I would therefore recommend anything from the Accuphase 4 range, starting from the 405V to the 450, where they changed the design. Current nomination is the E470.
You even save some pennies (not too many) to include the DAC slot.
Otherwise go with ASR.

slcaudiophile · Jan 3, 2017

asr is awesome sounding stuff. i forgot about that.

iaxel · Jan 5, 2017

egidius said:
I would therefore recommend anything from the Accuphase 4 range, starting from the 405V to the 450, where they changed the design. Current nomination is the E470.

Thanks! I'll look into the Accuphase range.

sickophant · Jan 16, 2017

It was mentioned first on page one, but have you considered a gander at the Gryphon Diablo? Know nothing about its latest guise but the original was simply musical and very capable. Their design aesthetics are to be admired as well. Save you a LOT of change from 20k if you found a pristine 2nd hander. Anyway, all the best in your search, quite a budget for an integrated; it's sure to be wow.

Thieliste · Jan 17, 2017

The Diablo 300 is €15K new here in Europe.

wisnon · Jan 17, 2017

iaxel said:
Had a chance to listen to the devialet 250, if you do not use its dac you miss the whole point, and frankly I was not too fond of its dac.

Ayre is interesting also Dartzeel (although no local distributor...), thanks!

No love for the Diablo 300? Pass INT 250?

The Dart integrated is $20K and 208 wpc.

The Dart "Danalog" (streaming power Dac) is 200wpc and only $14K. LHB-408 is the model number I think. PCM to 384 and DSD to 128.

SCAudiophile · Jan 17, 2017

For best integrateds, don't forget to take a look at the new Esoteric integrated which definitely hit the sound, performance and I believe also price marks.

Gregadd · Jan 17, 2017

When the price is this high you are essentially asking what is the best amplification. I see no reason to shoehorn an amp and preamp in the same box. Even less reason to share a power supply.

rbbert · Jan 17, 2017

Gregadd said:
When the price is this high you are essentially asking what is the best amplification. I see no reason to shoehorn an amp and preamp in the same box. Even less reason to share a power supply.

It may not be true in every case, but for many of these integrated amps the preamp is bare bones, often one very simple gain stage combined with switching and buffering. Really more just a basic power amplifier with lower input sensitivity and a volume control, no real strain on the chassis or power supply.

restock · Jan 17, 2017

egidius said:
I would therefore recommend anything from the Accuphase 4 range, starting from the 405V to the 450, where they changed the design. Current nomination is the E470.
You even save some pennies (not too many) to include the DAC slot.

I second the suggestion for Accuphase integrated amps - in addition to the E470 I would add the E600 Class A amp to the list. While it does not have the max. output power of the E470 it is extremely stable into 2 and even 1 Ohm loads with power still doubling to 120W into 2 Ohm. I moved to the Accuphase from a top of the line Shindo separates (Giscours, Cortese) combo....

Also the recommendation for the DAC and Phono card are solid, both are excellent. While not at the level of the DC37 and C37, they are still excellent.

KeithR · Jan 18, 2017

Gregadd said:
When the price is this high you are essentially asking what is the best amplification. I see no reason to shoehorn an amp and preamp in the same box. Even less reason to share a power supply.

It depends. Dartzeel uses a second transformer just for the preamp section.

Many have sold separates for the Dart CTH.

DAG · Jan 21, 2017

Mark levinson 585, Bryston 135,Pass labs I250 comes to mind. And save some cash

DasguteOhr · Jan 21, 2017

Hello,

Lavardin IT, one of best Transistor amps i ever heard liquid clean sound
Optional Great Phono MM stage with Sut a Bargain.
Unison S9 pure power with great Svetlana 572 one of best Triode tubes.

iaxel · Jan 22, 2017

DasguteOhr said:
Hello,

Lavardin IT, one of best Transistor amps i ever heard liquid clean sound
Optional Great Phono MM stage with Sut a Bargain.
Unison S9 pure power with great Svetlana 572 one of best Triode tubes.

I think you mis-read my request.

DasguteOhr · Jan 24, 2017

Hello,

right i had no read your First Request...sorry.
Ok it is not my Cup of Tea with low efficiency Speakers play music....

Bobbi · Feb 2, 2017

Technical Brain integrated is special. I finally heard one today and the transparancy is breathtaking.
If your in the market for a Integrated and able to listen to one of these do yourself a favour!

egidius · Feb 3, 2017

there are always great masters unheard of..

Bobbi said:
Technical Brain integrated is special. I finally heard one today and the transparancy is breathtaking.
If your in the market for a Integrated and able to listen to one of these do yourself a favour!

..but regarding the TB integrated, it's all a bit "coming soon". Did you hear it, and if so, are you in any way affiliated to them?
thanks for claryfying.

Bobbi · Feb 3, 2017

I am not affiliated with anyone.
I heard the TB integrated through the Australian distributor. Heard the TB mono/pre as well and the Integrated has a whole lot of its DNA for a lot less money.
Don't be fooled by the specs. It has plenty of power and I'm seriously considering for myself.

Bobbi · Feb 3, 2017

There was some other seriously ultra high end gear we listened to and the TB Int more than held its own.
Made me rethink the need for separates.

Elberoth · Feb 4, 2017

From my personal experience, the 3 best amps I have tried on my Magico S5s are:

- Vitus SIA-25;
- Vitus SS101;
- Dan D'Agostino Momentum integrated.

The SIA-25 may not have enough power depending how loud you listen, what kind of music and how big is your room. The midrange and palpability of the sound is glorious.

The Vitus SS-101, which you can get for ~17k EUR s/h, will get you covered in most cases. Similar mids, but more more power and bass slam.

The Dan D'Agostino Momentum integrated was the best, but also by far the most expensive (55k EUR used, but there is one from a dealer in Cyprus listed on AgoN for 24k EUR). The Dan D'Agostino Momentum integrated does all for me - it has great bass slam, resolution, soundstaging, but also very full and palpable midrange. I believe it can equal any 50k pre/power combination in terms of sonics.

Best integrated for under $20K

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