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In Reply to: RE: Opinions on SS integrated amps, please list and rank them posted by CarlEber on October 16, 2014 at 13:48:38
I needed a SS integrated for my office listening setup so I wouldn't 'waste' my tubes in my Rogue Cronus Magnum tube integrated. The Sony TA-A1ES is actually quite nice sounding at 80wpc. The other one that I was considering is the Yamaha A-S2000. Both the Sony and the Yamaha are $2000 MSRP but can be found for less.
If you have a change of mind about a tube integrated the Rogue Cronus Magnum with KT-120 tubes is simply outstanding. They LIST for about $2300 new.
Follow Ups:
Abe, your setups are the neatest looking - no unsightly wires anywhere and very clean - everytime I see your pics, i feel like shooting myself...
I found despite some good reviews ( never believe any review these days) the Sony TA-1ES sounds very artificial and I returned mine for a refund during Sony's 30 day trial offer. I have the Sony DA5400ES AVR and that sounds excellent the TA-1ES is no good by comparison so try before you finally buy.
Edits: 10/19/14 10/19/14
Yes I know. You've mentioned your Sony TA-A1ES experience before. Maybe you had a 'dud' or just don't like the sound.
However, the Sony TA-A1ES sounds excellent to me in my setup and for $1300 I'm pretty impressed.
The Sony sounds better than a pair of Hypex NC400 class d mono amps I just auditioned in my room. They're boxed up and ready to go back to the owner who loaned them to me.
I have also compared the Sony TA-A1ES to the Marantz PM-8003 (now in the family room), the Denon PMA-2000IVR (stored in the basement), and the Peachtree iDecco 65 (also stored in the basement).
I still prefer the Rogue Cronus Magnum KT120 tube integrated over any of these solid-state integrated amps but the Sony sounds quite nice to me.
Can you explain how the Sony sounds artificial and no good compared to your Sony DA5400ES AVR? And what others have you compared it to?
Sony TA-1AES is not for me, like class D I can not listen to either.. IMO both HFN & Word & Music reviews are totally wrong, It runs too warm, heat sinks are too small not suitable for HT or mch use as power section can not be separated from pre. I agree bass lacks sonic punch according to What Hi-Fi? plus rhythm deficiency, I find overall sound slightly artificial, have only compared it with the very natural sounding Sony STR-DA5400ES AVR and my own Prime Design A100 integrated 17 year old amplifier.
Edits: 10/20/14
Best recommendation possible... all else pales as there's too many variables.
Rick
Anyone know if/when the mini is going to be released with the Haswell chip?
Thanks,
W
Apple just released new Mac Minis yesterday with power efficient Intel Haswell CPU's.
Very sweet...
Thanks Abe.
Excellent!
"
I owned the Yamaha S2000. It was a nice amp but lacking a little sparkle and oomph. I traded it in for the new Yamaha S2100. It's far superior to my ears. It solved my two issues with its predecessor. The things I like about this newer version are: tone is realistic; the amp can go from a very quiet passage to a loud one with ease and startling dynamics; the background is dead silent, the bass is strong and punchy and oh did I mention the realistic tone.
The amp retails for more than you would like to spend, $3500 but you may be able to get discount or a demo model.
It's hard to believe the Yamaha S3000, priced at $7000 can be twice as good as the S2100; but I've not heard the S3000.
Jim
The Yamaha A-S2100 is another one that I would love to try but it's bit pricey at $3500. From your comments, it may not be worth trying the A-S2000.
I'm pretty happy with my Sony TA-A1ES but I would love to compare it against something else like a recent model Yamaha.
How do you switch off between two amplifiers?
How do you switch off between two amplifiers?
The DAC has two pairs of outputs: XLR & RCA
The RCA outputs are connected to the Rogue tube integrated, the XLR outputs are connected to the Sony. Both amps have power cords plugged into the AC outlet.
I simply swap the speaker cables from one amp to the other, turn ON the desired amp, and it's ready to play.
Sorry to thread jack but I'm trying to do the same thing with my Mac min and iPad.
I'm not really using the iPad as a monitor for the Mini. It is running the free Remote App which allows you to display and control iTunes. You have to enable Home Sharing in iTunes. You use the Remote App over wifi. The iPad cable you see in the photo is just charging the iPad.
In my case, iTunes is used to manage my music, iPad (or iPhone) to control it remotely, but I'm also running Audirvana Plus on the Mac which bypasses Apple's Core Audio for better sonics.
There are several "remote desktop" Apps for the iPad / Mac and they all work over the network / wifi. I had pretty good results with Jump Desktop. Apple's own "Remote Desktop" is also excellent but somewhat overkill. It is ideally suited for instructor / classroom like scenarios where the instructor can easily switch and view various student desktops and display them to his screen or projector. It's a very good product but a bit complex for individual use.
I'm familiar with the remote app but I thought you were using the iPad directly as a monitor. That would be very cool!
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