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What integrated amps are most sort after for the musical qualities if price was NOT concern. Or better put under 1K.
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blows away everything mentioned
Holy shades of McIntosh - what a batch of MA5100 owners! AS they used to say on Laugh-In - VERY INTERESTING. I agree the 5100 is wrthy of consideration, though my vote goes to the 6100, not quite as euphuric but definitely Mc sounding.Also, though can not confirm b/c have not had my hands on 1, the H-K A402 which is the amp section of the H-K 630 (or is it the 730 or 930 - can not remember). The amp in the 630, especially the power amp section is worthy of mention. I've used the power amp section with both my Mc preamp and the Philips into a set of Advents and really really nice. I'd be interested in trying it with either the preamp section of a Marantz 1060 or Advent 300 each which I like the preamp section of and from memory seems to be better than the H-K 630 preamp which is not bad inofitself.
I swear I should hate my MA-5100, especially since I also have a perfect MA-6100, but that old 5100 sucker is so darned good it keeps me hanging on to it.
You know I have heard a couple of really nice 5100's. Remember the point of all this is for you to like and enjoy it.Hey if it is good for you then it is good.
You might want to try Jerry's resistor trick with your 5100. Putting that resistor in line with the Bozak's was night and day.
I like the 6100 alot, and run one with a set of Bozaks using Jerry's resistor trick. And everyone like the 1060. It is a not only great sound but a terrific deal. But I also like the 1200 and if I remember right you have one of those, don't you?--Dan
No 1200 in my inventory. Have not been a Marantz fan for most of their ss models or at least not to the extent to start collecting unless just fell into something. Now if it had those funny glowing glass bobbles in it, that's another story.
The 1200 Marantz is a BEAST of audio power. This unit has the velvet touch at low volume or it can take out a wall down if turned up. You could fry an egg on the speakers. It's a great utility amp but does lack a pinch of bass. So you need to use the loudness controls or pump up the bass more than most amps. But in the big picture it is one of my favorites.
hi Charles!I have the 1200 & 1200B and they both sound terrific in my opinion. They have that certain Marantz-sound that you describe so well. I do not hear any lack of lowfreqency reproduction as you mention. I'm sure it has something to do with other links in the chain. I feel that they reproduce the bass very good - balanced - fast and clean, also at low level listening.
Have you tried to make experiments with the placing of speakers.If you need to activate the "Loudness", I feel that something is not what it was supposed to be. Every person has his own preferences,of course, but I think that using the "loudness" gives too much unpleasant distortion and it gives a way too unbalanced frequency response - the bass gets unnatural and very boomy without definition and the top cuts my ears (and nerves) into pieces. Maybe your speakers are rolling off to much in the low register? Or the placing of the speakers is questionable?
I always run mine in the "flat" mode. Sounds superb to me.
I usually listen to rythmic music like jazz/blues/older rock and I use TT/reel2reel/CD's and I listen to good quality FM-radio.Kind regards
I'm finding that with my FM source it's fine. but with CDP's its a bit flat sounding. So I really should retract that statement of being low in the bass. Actually it's EXCELLENT with my Marantz 112 tuner. Truely a power house of an amp and wonderful sounding.
charles
The Mesa Tigris is very refined and should be available under a thou. So should Jolida.
I don't know about these being popular but I have a Nikko NA 690 and had the NA 890 integrated amps and to my ears they rival the vintage Pionner, Kenwood, Mac int amp for much less $$$. Sound wise they rock but I'm sure most people never heard them. Most people have never even heard of 'Nikko' period. Great stuff.
I agree the Nikko stuff is quite awesome. I used to have a Nikko NR-1019. A big monster of a receiver with tons of power & great sound quality. One of my all-time faves.I currently have a McIntosh 5100 integrated amp that I am very happy with. Warm and musical sound. I like the Marantz amps very much as well.
Pioneer SA9500,SA9900; Kenwood 500,600 ; Mcintosh MA6200, MA6100, MA5100- The Pioneers and Kenwoods can be had for around $1-200 and are excellent. They may even rival the Mac integrateds.
Mike
Had the Pioneers and they are worthy performers. Got lucky last year and got a Macintosh MA6100 last year off the 'Bay for $360 with cabinet and shipping. Did major cleanup on the cabinet, it was grunchy but did not need to be refinshed. Looks new. Clean the chrome chassis. It had aaan inch of dust, but was not corroded. Cleaned the pots. Been in service since Aug 2002. Sweet. Happy Holidays!!!
What sonic differences would one expect from a Mac-5100 as compared to the above integrate amps. Each of the above has a completely different sound.Marantz: full bodied SSSMMMOOTTHH velvety sound. A little low on the bass so you do need the loudness function more often
Sansui: actually TTTOOOO dynamic. very color and makes the music VERY lively. but it can get to be TOO much after a while. A more tone contour controls than the space shuttle.
Scott: surprisely dynamic and very un-tube like sounding. punchy but clear, crisp and dynamic. A hell of a amp for low listening classic, vocal, jazz. This amp has the MOST seperation I have EVER heard in one amp. There are times I wonder if one speaker is on or not. It also has one of the best midranges I've heard to date but a little to crispy top end.
I have a different view of the Scott. I have the Scott LK-72B, and as much as I have tried to improve it (using Vitamin 'Q's, and other premier-quality components), the thing still has muddy mids, and funky treble. My Fisher X-202-B, blows it out of the water, with crystal-clear, wonderful overall sound. The Fisher is a wonderful amp.
Over-colored, tubie sound drives me crazy. Transistor output hurts my ears. The 7591 output tube, sounds very neutral. Not very tube-like; but still quite wonderful and warm. Go figure.
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