Contenders for Best Tube Integrated Amp? Only the best elements of tube sound!

[Gemini]

I would be interested to hear whether someone has experience with the Aries Cerat Diana.

 

[Fidach Lad]

115 kg = 250 lbs = 18.11 stones in a roughly 2x2x1 foot iron bar.

 

[bonzo75]

I would be interested to hear whether someone has experience with the Aries Cerat Diana.

Yes http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showt...th-Aries-Cerat-integrated-amp&highlight=Anima

 

[KeithR]

may go hear the new Jadis integrated this weekend for fun...that should be on this list.

 

[caesar]

Hi Keith,

Please share. I think TAS had it on their cover a few months ago. Curious to know how much toobiness Jadis maintains in the modern age. Thanks!

 

[KeithR]

Sure, caesar. I demo'd the I35, not the DA88S (as lesser complicated amps usually sound better). The I35 definitely won't ever be mistaken for SS (thankfully)- in fact, i haven't heard KT120s ever sound as good. I listened to the unit on Spendor D7s, which I've only heard once before and don't have any real low end. My first thought after warm up was that you can listen to the I35 for days....soundstage and in particular instruments in space were very, very good. Ever hear "wiry" strings on a digital amp? This was the opposite (and correct I feel). Treble was "sweet", but not as extended as my Dart (nothing really is) but in character with the amp. The amp had excellent flow, but enough leading edge to provide the right microdynamics and overall sounded quite lively- i was surprised how it liked to boogie on electronica. Midrange had good tonal density, but didn't overdo it (ie. Cary). All in all, definitely one of the more musical demos I've heard and obviously the build quality is stunning. As far as comparisons to Jadis of old? All reports are that they are more objective, but clearly don't lose that bit of warmth.

 

[butler]

Hi Keith, thanks for the interesting comments on the Jadis I35. I'm hoping to get to California to listen to the new I50 with KT150's in a few months (Brooks Berdan Audio). This amp sounded great at the Newport show, also with Spendor........did you happen to see/hear this one in passing? Have a feeling that it may be a real sleeper.

 

[KeithR]

Hi Keith, thanks for the interesting comments on the Jadis I35. I'm hoping to get to California to listen to the new I50 with KT150's in a few months (Brooks Berdan Audio). This amp sounded great at the Newport show, also with Spendor........did you happen to see/hear this one in passing? Have a feeling that it may be a real sleeper.

They offered (at Brooks Berdan), but I declined since KT150s aren't my kind of tube (no rolling). I did hear the demo at Newport and like you was very impressed.

 

[Gemini]

Yes http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showt...th-Aries-Cerat-integrated-amp&highlight=Anima

Bonzo75, thank you for the link. It seems you liked not only the Animas but also the Diana. Were you able to compare it to other amps?

 

[jep123]

The new Absolare integrated might be the best out there. We used it one weekend with Kaiser speakers, outstanding in every possible way. A great achievment, no less!

 

[Benanton]

I just sprung for one of these, at the price it's probably not THE best but it's damn fine:

 

[Believe High Fidelity]

I would be interested to hear whether someone has experience with the Aries Cerat Diana.

I have had intimate experience with this integrated and many others listed here. We will be at CES this year, but not with the Diana. You can still voice the best they have to offer to understand what the Diana can do

 

[andromedaaudio]

_DSC0337 by andromeda61, on Flickr

 

[Hyperion]

We've recently exhibited the flagship Kaiser Kaweros in Norway with the new Absolare Integrated and CH Precision digital front end. Rainer Weber of Kaiser Acoustics joined us during the weekend stating that he had never heard this level of performance out of the Kaweros. A truly amazing achievement by Kerem & co at Absolare.

/ Marcus

Full story here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.518014028356780.1073741846.175376815953838&type=3

 

[marslo]

This Absolare integrated is a real beauty.
I would like recommend - at least as a perfect match for Avantgarde Duo series - an integrated Ayon Crossfire made with a more powerful kind of 300 B . Ayon makes it in Czech Republic and call it A 62 B . They are declared 30 W and imo that is much better than standard 8 W from 300 B.
One cannot buy A62B outside of Ayon distribution network.

I have the third iteration of Crossfire , have heard many tube and ss amps in my setup and Ayon is for me still the best integrated.
I read at CA that CEO of Shunyata , Mr Caelin Gabriel uses Crossfire in his reference setup for files playback.

 

[4music]

Absolare Integrated vs Ypsilon Phaethon Integrated? Anybody has experience with both these units? Look similar from spec point of view. Heard the Phaethon in my system which sounded superb, but willing to explore the Absolare option.
Thanks, Tim

 

[Argonaut]

Sansui AU-111 circa 1966 Of course not, however I still enjoy Its Harmonically rich presentation.

 

[George K]

Absolare Integrated vs Ypsilon Phaethon Integrated? Anybody has experience with both these units? Look similar from spec point of view. Heard the Phaethon in my system which sounded superb, but willing to explore the Absolare option.
Thanks, Tim

Hello Tim; I happened to listen the Ypsilon Phaethon vs the latest Viva Audio Solista and to my ears Solista won hands down.
The other 2 friends attending concurred with my findings. So does my friend Nick who bought it.

Never heard the Absolare integrated, while I've heard the Absoalre separates. For me there's nothing like true single ended and Viva is a champ on that playground.

Viva Audio Solista (latest edition mk3 or something) is a well kept secret in audio. Viva is an exotic brand with no such thing as public relations and magazines hype. But their sound shines.

 

[slcaudiophile]

Hello Tim; I happened to listen the Ypsilon Phaethon vs the latest Viva Audio Solista and to my ears Solista won hands down.
The other 2 friends attending concurred with my findings. So does my friend Nick who bought it.

Never heard the Absolare integrated, while I've heard the Absoalre separates. For me there's nothing like true single ended and Viva is a champ on that playground.

Viva Audio Solista (latest edition mk3 or something) is a well kept secret in audio. Viva is an exotic brand with no such thing as public relations and magazines hype. But their sound shines.

what speakers where you using?

 

[slcaudiophile]

i think the phaethon is going to be difficult to beat.