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

caesar

Well-Known Member
May 30, 2010
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What are the contenders for the best tube integrated amps? Not looking for tubes that (poorly) mimic SS (not a fan of ARC) or gear that is slow, overly euphonic, and "tubey" sounding. Only want to preserve the humanness that tubes bring to the game, not the vices.

CAT and VAC come to mind, but I am not sure even if they bother with making lowly integrateds.
 

CGabriel

Industry Expert
Oct 31, 2013
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Well, that pretty much shoots down some very great integrated amps. You might try listening to the AR again - they are quite improved from even a couple years ago.

If not AR then I like this one.


image.jpg
 

Hyperion

Well-Known Member
Oct 3, 2011
441
231
950
Stockholm/Sweden
The Absolare integrated is brand new to the market, surely aiming towards the very top. Can't wait to audition it myself soon.

ABSOLARE-ENTEGRE-AMPLI-01.jpg

Technical Specifications

Preamplifier: All Tube, Single-Ended Architecture Signal Section

Output stage: All Solid-state, Dual-Mono

? Bandwidth: 10 Hz - 45 KHz

? Input Sensitivity: 0.5 Volts (Balanced Version 2 Volts)

? Tubes: 2 x 12AU7 (ECC82) (Every unit comes with select NOS tubes)

? Inputs: 4 RCA with Single-Ended / 4 XLR with Balanced Model

? Input impedance : 100 Kohms

? Output Power:150 Watts min. @ 8 ohms,?200 Watts min. @ 4 ohms

? 42-step attenuator- Remote Control?

? Gain : 38 db

? Bandwidth: 15 Hz - 35 KHz +/- 1.0 dB

? Dimensions: 38.2 x 67 X 20 cm (WxDxH),excl. feet

? Weight: 30 kg
 

XV-1

Well-Known Member
May 24, 2010
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Sydney
There can only be one


ongaku_img1.jpg
 

jfrech

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Sep 3, 2012
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Austin

KeithR

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May 7, 2010
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I consider the latest Vac sound (Phi 200) actually much more SS-sounding than the prior Phi Beta gear...that said, its probably a contender with better KT88 tubes (EAT). I've wanted to hear the Nagra ever since it was released, but its a rare bird in the US. Have a feeling it would easily beat the rest.

The Italian 845s are also sweet looking- New Audio Frontiers, Viva Solista, and Mastersound Evolution.
 

es347

VIP/Donor & WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
1,577
35
970
Midwest fly over state..
The Rogers integrated is a great sounding piece and a work of art IMO..
 

853guy

Active Member
Aug 14, 2013
1,161
10
38
What are the contenders for the best tube integrated amps? Not looking for tubes that (poorly) mimic SS (not a fan of ARC) or gear that is slow, overly euphonic, and "tubey" sounding. Only want to preserve the humanness that tubes bring to the game, not the vices.

CAT and VAC come to mind, but I am not sure even if they bother with making lowly integrateds.

I'm a huge admirer of the work of JC Morrison who contracts to Silbatone. I think his circuit designs are really innovative, and he likes to use a lot of unusual tube choices, chooses permalloy core transformers (often wound with silver foil), will often use autoformers for volume and hates coupling caps. This is the Reference 300B.

Screen Shot 2014-01-04 at 2.43.29 PM.jpg Screen Shot 2014-01-04 at 2.43.52 PM.jpg Screen Shot 2014-01-04 at 2.44.38 PM.jpg

This is the RI-25 using WE 437A, Siemens Ed and the DA100.

Screen Shot 2013-10-21 at 9.33.00 AM.jpg Screen Shot 2013-10-21 at 9.33.39 AM.jpg
 

853guy

Active Member
Aug 14, 2013
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slcaudiophile

Well-Known Member
Nov 6, 2014
167
2
123
Um ... SLC?
The Absolare integrated is brand new to the market, surely aiming towards the very top. Can't wait to audition it myself soon.

View attachment 21514

Technical Specifications

Preamplifier: All Tube, Single-Ended Architecture Signal Section

Output stage: All Solid-state, Dual-Mono

? Bandwidth: 10 Hz - 45 KHz

? Input Sensitivity: 0.5 Volts (Balanced Version 2 Volts)

? Tubes: 2 x 12AU7 (ECC82) (Every unit comes with select NOS tubes)

? Inputs: 4 RCA with Single-Ended / 4 XLR with Balanced Model

? Input impedance : 100 Kohms

? Output Power:150 Watts min. @ 8 ohms,?200 Watts min. @ 4 ohms

? 42-step attenuator- Remote Control?

? Gain : 38 db

? Bandwidth: 15 Hz - 35 KHz +/- 1.0 dB

? Dimensions: 38.2 x 67 X 20 cm (WxDxH),excl. feet

? Weight: 30 kg

i bet this thing is going to sound incredible. according to some recent posts it is suppose to be priced under $23K USD.
 

CGabriel

Industry Expert
Oct 31, 2013
618
92
265
WA, USA
www.shunyata.com
There can only be one



So, what is it?
 

caesar

Well-Known Member
May 30, 2010
4,290
767
1,698
Well, that pretty much shoots down some very great integrated amps. You might try listening to the AR again - they are quite improved from even a couple years ago.

If not AR then I like this one.


View attachment 21513

Thank you. I know ARC is very popular. However, the tonality of ARC never appealed to me. I like other brands much, much better. I also hate their marketing methods.
 

caesar

Well-Known Member
May 30, 2010
4,290
767
1,698
I am surprised that there is such a short list. I thought they would be popular in large cities with expensive real estate.
 

FrantzM

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
6,455
29
405
I am surprised that there is such a short list. I thought they would be popular in large cities with expensive real estate.

Audiophiles are not enthused by "integrated" anything. We wouldn't mind getting our cables with removable connectors ...
 

daytona600

Well-Known Member
Sep 9, 2012
722
151
955
scotland
845-ABSOLUTE.jpg

Unison Research Absolute 845
 

Johnny Vinyl

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 16, 2010
8,570
51
38
Calgary, AB
I believe this is slowly changing with new/upcoming generations.
I agree. Lots of us here have reached the age of retirement and perhaps are downsizing to smaller living quarters. IA's are a wonderful way to save space, yet still retain the high-end audio qualities we yearn for.
 
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