Best integrated for under $20K

[iaxel]

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

 

[JayR]

I have been using a Devialet D200 for the last year or so driving Audio Physic Virgo 25 speakers. It replaced a Placette preamp, Rowland Model 10s and a Peachtree iDac. I have been really impressed with the single box solution. Good extension on both ends, transparent with good soundstaging, low noise floor etc.. It might be something you might want to check out.

 

[Bruce B]

My Parasound continues to amaze me driving a pair of Maggies. I'd also look into the Hegel.

 

[KeithR]

My opinion on high end integrateds:

For SS, Dartzeel and the Ayre...For tube, Vac Sigma and Jadis I50

 

[Folsom]

nm

 

[iaxel]

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?

 

[BruceD]

Jim Smith uses the ASR


BruceD

 

[Rodney Gold]

How did you manage to isolate the Devialets dac?..if you used its pre outs.. you actually use a different dac to the one it uses to do the amplification
it uses a wolfson for the pre amp board , WM8740 and afaik a T1 for the main dac (and you cant get to hear that as a DAC only)
Devialet sound cannot be evaluated as "parts", it has to be evaluated as a whole .. if you didnt like it as an integrated , well so be it

 

[iaxel]

How did you manage to isolate the Devialets dac?..if you used its pre outs.. you actually use a different dac

Right.

Devialet sound cannot be evaluated as "parts", it has to be evaluated as a whole .. if you didnt like it as an integrated , well so be it

Exactly. That's why I didn't like it. Also, to my ears, it killed the sound of my analog setup, using its phono section or just using the analog imput. YMMV.

 

[microstrip]

Right.

Exactly. That's why I didn't like it. Also, to my ears, it killed the sound of my analog setup, using its phono section or just using the analog imput. YMMV.

The Devialet sound is not everyone preference, but people should listen to the new pro versions - they are a significant improvement over the older ones. I am still recovering from an audition using the recent 220Pro with the Wilson Sabrina ... Too good to be true ...

 

[FrantzM]

The Devialet sound is not everyone preference, but people should listen to the new pro versions - they are a significant improvement over the older ones. I am still recovering from an audition using the recent 220Pro with the Wilson Sabrina ... Too good to be true ...

You are slowly moving to the dark side, Luke
Happy Holidays!

 

[Bobwah]

I've been asking myself this question lately also to maybe keep costs down for another system. But more like $25k so you can put absolare and agostino (used) in the mix..

I have the cth8550 and love it, drives my WB just fine.

My list would be Diablo 300, absolare, agostino, ch precision, nagra classic, technical brain just released a new integrated, no idea what it's like.. so many interesting options.



Would love to hear them all...

 

[microstrip]

You are slowly moving to the dark side, Luke
Happy Holidays!

Yes, but much better than that, the dark side is slowly becoming luminous ...

 

[cyclopse]

A shout out for Vitus class A. The SIA-025 is a complete integrated package to consider.

 

[Comedus76]

+1 for the Vitus class A

 

[Thieliste]

For tough loads under $20K Rowland Continuum S2 or Gryphon Diablo 300, then way above $20K you have Rowland Daemon or the D'agostino Momentum Integrated.
The Dartzeel and Absolare will probably not drive very difficult loads.
My personal taste would go to the Absolare integrated with 88db and up.

 

[Barry2013]

+1 for the Vitus class A

Me too
It's a genuine high end integrated and is a lot more powerful than the quoted output figures suggest.
The sheer weight of it is a testament to both the quality of its design and sound coupled with lounge friendly aesthetics
Can't recommend it highly enough.

 

[rbbert]

So many good integrated amps out there today, I think matching to your speakers will be the most important thing

 

[microstrip]

People should not forget the Ayre AX5 Twenty - it is an excellent sounding integrated!

 

[Bruce B]

and another shoutout for the Pass