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In Reply to: RE: Replace separates with integrated? posted by Alex F. on May 03, 2016 at 12:19:38
It was an Azur 840A. I believe it was their top of the line integrated at the time. It clearly lacked the low end punch and tightness the speakers show now. From what I remember it was also lacked clear definition between instruments and not a great sound-stage. Muddied might be a good word for it, especially at higher volumes. It never seemed to play with the ease the current set up does. This was 4 or so years ago.
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The discontinued Cambridge 840A was definitely warm sonically (I owned one, too). Apparently your ears are happiest with neutral to maybe slightly warm.All the Parasound units I've auditioned over the years were very neutral, so possibly their Halo Integrated ($2,495) would work well for you. Online magazine reviews are plentiful.
Another option would be the McIntosh MA5200 ($4,500). My McIntosh MA6500 integrated amp would best be described as neutral to a bit warm, very smooth, solid bass, highly detailed, open and clear, with a huge soundstage, nonfatiguing, and extremely quiet. I prefer tubes and the McIntosh was the only solid-state unit I auditioned at the time (2002) that made my ears smile. Unlike most McIntosh units, though, the MA5200 does not have bass and treble controls. There are several magazine reviews of the MA5200 available online.
Finally, consider AudioSoul's excellent idea to retain your power amps and combine them with a tube preamp. Maybe Rogue's new RP-1 ($1,695)?
Below is a link to the McIntosh MA5200, which can now be ordered from the good folks at Crutchfield.
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EDIT: One more item came to mind. Based on my positive experience with the McIntosh MA6500 (which I still use), I purchased an MA6300 for a different room. The MA6300 was very "un-McIntosh," with an overly bright upper midrange and treble that was headache-inducing. It went back to the dealer who said it was not defective; I later read others online who described the same bright sonics. Hopefully the MA5200 has the usual McIntosh sound as described earlier.
Edits: 05/03/16
Thanks for all the advice. I hadn't thought about McIntosh since there is so much love/hate for the brand. I have a dealer close to me. I'll give it a try.
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