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Integrated Amp Recommendations . . .

68.4.180.92
Posted on April 24, 2016 at 17:20:18
risabet
Audiophile

Posts: 3197
Location: SoCal
Joined: January 10, 2005
 for driving Martin-Logan Clarity's ( ESL hybrids) and a future pair of M-L Ethos or Montis. I want to down size the electronics but still want excellent SQ. Below 5K if possible, used is OK, tube or SS is fine.

I've looked at the Pass INT-150 and unit from Rogue Audio.





Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.

Adam Smith

 

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RE: Integrated Amp Recommendations . . . , posted on April 24, 2016 at 17:23:56
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 Any chance of you getting a look at the Parasound Halo Integrated?
Probably enough juice, and has what is basically the preamp section from the P5.

New at half your max. Some dealers MAY give slight discounts. (I got about 15% when I bought 2x A23 and the P5)
Too much is never enough

 

RE: Integrated Amp Recommendations . . . , posted on April 24, 2016 at 18:49:13
ppopp
Audiophile

Posts: 2994
Location: OR
Joined: October 10, 2002
 Cambridge Audio 840a sounded surprisingly good with my ML Aeon I pair. It saw-off a Plinius 9200, a Rogue Audio Tempest II and a Musical fidelity A300 with tread to spare. Great sonic match, with remarkably small outlay. Took about two weeks to break-in with the MLs.

 

+1 for the Parasound Halo nt, posted on April 24, 2016 at 19:20:27
vinyl survivor
Audiophile

Posts: 1471
Location: Southeastern US
Joined: November 28, 2007
 Nt

 

RE: Integrated Amp Recommendations . . . , posted on April 24, 2016 at 19:24:01
Mr Peabody
Audiophile

Posts: 1109
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Joined: August 14, 2010
 I personally think a good tube amp is magic with electrostats. If not tubes the Pass is a good choice. A McIntosh might be a nice match with the ML as well.

 

RE: Integrated Amp Recommendations . . . , posted on April 24, 2016 at 19:24:35
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 I owned a CA 840 CD player. I was pleased with the capability and sound, though it DID have problems with the digital output of an Apple Airport Express.

CA was AWFUL, to deal with, IMO. And while CA did send me the software update package, the player needed a Null Modem Cable and the Correct Windows OS. I don't think CA sends out the software any more. The dealer wanted to charge me. Who than owns the 'Bricked' player?

The OTHER thing I found out was that ALL the than-current CD players from CA used the SAME mechanicals by Sanyo. The SF-P101N was in all players from the 400$ to 1600$ level. I don't think that's good.
Too much is never enough

 

BAT makes a very nice integrated, posted on April 24, 2016 at 19:49:35
Mike K
Audiophile

Posts: 13973
Location: 97701
Joined: September 23, 1999
 with plenty of power. But it is pricey.

Lack of skill dictates economy of style. - Joey Ramone

 

Never mind. i would otherwise suggest you try Leema Acoustics, Naim Audio or something tubey., posted on April 24, 2016 at 20:26:03
ppopp
Audiophile

Posts: 2994
Location: OR
Joined: October 10, 2002
 Like from Icon Audio.

 

RE: Integrated Amp Recommendations . . . , posted on April 24, 2016 at 20:38:27
dirtyvinyl



Since you're in So Cal, you can go for a listen at the source-Upscale.Audio.

Mine is nearing the 2 year mark, and it never disappoints. I haven't read a bad user review, and after sales support is first rate. Essentially plug and play, KT 150 ready(I haven't tried)
along with EL34,KT88 and their equivalents.

The PL sounds very nice with ML's.

On the used gear section of the UA website, several Rogue amps have been traded for the PL.

 

RE: Integrated Amp Recommendations . . . , posted on April 25, 2016 at 06:07:19
AudioSoul
Audiophile

Posts: 4594
Location: north central AZ
Joined: July 9, 2005
So how is this a integrated amp recommendation? He didn't ask about your experience with a Cambridge Audio CD player....

 

RE: Integrated Amp Recommendations . . . , posted on April 25, 2016 at 07:36:23
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46277
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
 I've had a few Pass amps, preamps, and the Pass INT-150 integrated you mentioned in your post. I was looking to reduce the number of pieces in my audio rack and figured the INT-150 would do the job since I was so pleased with a couple Pass separates. Unfortunately the INT-150 wasn't very "alive" sounding compared to the separates or even some other integrated amps.

Don't get me wrong. I think Pass makes outstanding gear. I had the Aleph 3, Aleph 30, X2.5, X10, X150, X150.5, and the INT-150. But here's why I didn't care much for the INT-150. Compared to the X150 or X150.5 amps coupled with the Pass preamps or my Cary tube preamp, the INT-150 was a bit sterile and dead sounding. I don't know why.

I presently own the Rogue Cronus Magnum with KT120 tubes and the Ayre AX-7e. Both are excellent integrated amps and not ridiculously priced. In fact, the Ayre is the first SS integrated that I have been truly satisfied with in a long time. I'd love to try the discontinued BAT VK-300x series someday or their new VK-3000SE but the new one is pricey.

My Setup in 2008 before we moved to our new home

Pass INT-150 in my rack

The current home office setup with Rogue

Or with the Ayre AX-7e Integrated



 

RE: Integrated Amp Recommendations . . . , posted on April 25, 2016 at 09:04:57
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 When buying a CA integrated you get the company for free.

I'm NOT a big fan of the company. Maybe I wasn't clear in that?
Too much is never enough

 

RE: Integrated Amp Recommendations . . . , posted on April 25, 2016 at 11:25:58
Beetlemania
Audiophile

Posts: 1217
Location: Utah
Joined: November 1, 2003
 I've been very happy with my AX-7e. I use it to drive the insensitive Vandersteen 2Ce Sig II - it's a great pairing. I've also heard systems with the AX-7e driving 3A Sigs and Thiel 2.4s. The little Ayre sounded good in both cases and, altho' I've never heard M-Ls, would guess they're up to the task.

I've long been curious to hear some Rogue gear. Well-reviewed and made in USA at a fair price. But my next amp, if I can ever save enough "pennies", is going to be the Ayre AX-5 Twenty. That thing is stoopid good.

 

HEGEL H-360, posted on April 25, 2016 at 14:47:35
jtpzenith
Audiophile

Posts: 607
Joined: November 4, 2002
 nt

 

Reads like an Audio Salesmans' Wet dream.. , posted on April 25, 2016 at 16:59:42
bare
Audiophile

Posts: 1878
Joined: April 14, 2009
 Why would a sane man go thru such a variety of Gear ?
Boggles my imagination as to what Logic/train of thought leads one to this "Constant New Gear" affliction.
I've had *too Many* clients with Money to burn.. spend (invest is a silly descriptor in the Audio hobby) upwards of 300 K$ on Audio setups in the homes (Mc Mansions) I penned for them.
All were far less Flighty in their choices.
Likely.. Why they had Serious Coin at their disposal :-)

 

RE: Integrated Amp Recommendations . . . , posted on April 25, 2016 at 17:22:48
audioaddictNY
Audiophile

Posts: 51
Location: 10543
Joined: March 21, 2011
 I totally agree with Abe and Beetlmania and I have the same system as Beetlemania.
Although my Ayre Dac is not DSD as yet.
The Ayre is an amazing integrated amp, my Vandys sound wonderful, your MLs should be fine with Ayre.
First rate build quality and tremendous sound that is very hard to beat, I have had mine for about 3 years and have not had the upgrade disease for anything but tubes.
BTW I am a former dealer many years ago, so I am very picky and principled about my audio equipment.
Tubes ar my passion and the Ayre was as close to tubes as I have heard.
I refuse to spend allot on equipment, thus the Ayre is a screaming bargain.
You can buy mine when I go back to tubes-- or when Ayre makes tubes that is.





 

RE: Reads like an Audio Salesmans' Wet dream.. , posted on April 25, 2016 at 18:30:17
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 > Why would a sane man go thru such a variety of Gear?

Perhaps you missed the name of this forum. It is called the Audio Asylum. I don't think that stands for the Audio Sane Asylum, but I suppose I could be wrong. ;-)

On the other hand, what if you could buy and sell high-end equipment to try in your own home without losing any money in the process? In fact, what if you could find good deals and then resell components after listening to them for awhile and make a profit? Wouldn't you like to try all the different high-end equipment that Abe has tried if it didn't cost you anything? I don't know if that's the case for Abe, but I kind of suspect it might be. At any rate, we all experience our audio hobby in our own way and it ain't always cheap. To each his own, so to speak! Such is life!

Best regards,
John Elison

 

RE: Reads like an Audio Salesmans' Wet dream.. , posted on April 25, 2016 at 19:59:57
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46277
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
Buy used, sell used, enjoy the journey. What's it to ya? ;-)



 

LOL! I can hardly believe we have (nearly) the same system!, posted on April 25, 2016 at 20:16:37
Beetlemania
Audiophile

Posts: 1217
Location: Utah
Joined: November 1, 2003
 You really should get the DSD upgrade, Highly recommended. Of course, there are reports that the Codex is the equal (maybe better in some ways) than the QB-9 DSD. One such report comes from the highly credible Jim Smith (also, see Mercman's review on Audiostream).

 

LFD is an intriguing small company..., posted on April 25, 2016 at 21:54:46
genungo
 LFD has a very good reputation amongst audiophiles. Bless their quaint, tinkering elfen souls. They are so focused on the *handicraft* aspect that they forget (or don't bother) to post product specs.

 

RE: Integrated Amp Recommendations . . . , posted on April 25, 2016 at 23:26:54
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Abe-
great pics! as always. If you ever want to sell the Accuphase CD player- contact me at once.

 

RE: Integrated Amp Recommendations . . . , posted on April 26, 2016 at 05:39:26
Justlisten2
Audiophile

Posts: 1266
Location: SE PA
Joined: March 8, 2001
 I'd look for a VAC Avatar Super on the used market if looking for tubes.

For SS, the Ayre is a good reco. A
nother unit to check out is the Wells Audio Majestic, great bang for the buck.

 

Thanks all. . . , posted on April 29, 2016 at 22:15:33
risabet
Audiophile

Posts: 3197
Location: SoCal
Joined: January 10, 2005
 now I have some thinking and listening to do.

Thanks Again!


Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.

Adam Smith

 

RE: Integrated Amp Recommendations . . . , posted on April 30, 2016 at 06:30:25
tfrazeur
Audiophile

Posts: 91
Location: Plainfield, Indiana
Joined: April 11, 2005
 While not trying to sound like a power monger, I would also suggest the Coda CSiB integrated amplifier. One that flies under the radar for the most part, but can be found used every now and again, or at a special price directly through Coda. Very powerful, with great sound to match. Works well with electrostats and panels, and for that matter, most any speaker. Enjoy your listening and search!

 

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