Cafad Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 (edited) Due to financial constraints I have been unable to continue my 'run' of integrated amps over in the addicts guide thread so I thought I might take a little time to consider what to aim at when (please let it be when, and not if!) my financial self becomes liquid once again. I'll number them for the sake of keeping track but the number doesn't necessarily directly represent my interest level (well... it does, sort of, but only for the top 10 or so), the amps are likely to show up on an "as discovered when finances are available" basis anyway, so, numbers just for the sake of ID (except for the top 10!). One of the good things about this audio hobby is that, even if you can't afford to buy gear, you can still have some fun talking about it. 1. Redgum RGi120 ENR. Discussions have already been entered into between myself and Redgum on this subject so unless I win the lotto or an amp falls off the back of a truck in front of me or something this will be the next amp to show up in my listening room. 2. An Exposure 3010S2, I've been wanting to know just how similar this puppy is to its 2010S2 brother for quite a while now. I'm hoping it's a step up, but even a step sideways would be worth hearing. 3. An Eloquence series integrated from Perreaux, I'm not likely to ever be able to find or buy one of these but I would like to be able to hear one, even if only briefly. 4. I asked Burson if they had any plans to produce an integrated amp in their Musicians series a while back, over 12 months ago, and while they didn't exactly say no I did get the impression that it wasn't in their future plans. I guess if they are targeting the desktop crowd then an integrated amp wouldn't make much sense unless they made a stand alone DAC to go with it. Anyway, if they ever change their mind then that integrated amp will slot in here. I'm a big fan of Burson, but I'd be a bigger fan if they made an integrated amp again. 5. An NAD C375 BEE (or equivalent model). I've heard a modded (had its caps ripped out and replaced and one or two other mods) version of an NAD on my old Osborns and it was extremely good, so I'd love to hear a standard model on the Lenehans. 6. An Accuphase model, not too fussy on which one since they are pretty pricey and it's about as likely to happen as the Perreaux amps at number 3 but there's no point in giving up just because it's difficult. 7. Plinius, a 9200 or Hautonga, I've only heard an older Plinius power amp so no real idea what these puppies sound like. 8. Consonance Calaf, I've been lusting after one of these for a while now, one of the Chinese brands that can actually mix it with the rest of the world. I'm pretty much over most of the other chinese brands. Or a Jungson JA88 D, almost forgot that one. 9. Heed Obelisk, I keep putting this one off. I've had the chance to get one on a loner program and all but at the time I was just too interested in other things. The easy opportunity has passed but the amp is not forgotten. 10. An Arcam amp, I've passed over Arcam amps at least twice in the past because something else caught my eye at the same time, well, no more, they have made the top ten. Are there any models out there that anyone else feels should be on my list? Remember I'm a solid state only kind of guy, no tubes (not that I'm completely against them as such, some of my friends have tube amps, I'm just not that fussed on them, that's all) and it has to be an "integrated" amp (so a volume control of some form is a must). Other than that it's open slather. Oh, some companies are just a given, Dartzeel, Leben and Gryphon for example I'd love to hear but they are so rare and so expensive that it isn't likely I'll ever be able to afford one, even second hand, so I'll put them, and others like them, on a 'targets of opportunity' list and group them in at number 11. They can't be forgotten, but they can't really be expected to show up either. So, now it's open slather. Edit: Updates include. 11. The big exotics, Dartzeel, Leben, Gryphon, Yammy AS3000, Rega Osiris, Musical Fidelity XA-1, Karan KA I 180, Vitus, Devialet, etc… 12. Modwright, KWI200 13. Roksan Kandy or Caspian 14. BMC C1 15. NAD D3020 16. Electrocompaniet ECI-3 17. Rega Elicit R 18. Musical Fidelity A5 19. Hegel H300 20. NAKSA 80 21. Conrad Johnson CA200 22. Audio GD Master 10 23. Densen integrated. 24. Harman Kardon HK990 25. Quasimodo Edited March 14, 2014 by Cafad 1
~Spyne~ Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 (edited) Modwright KWI200 Roksan Kandy K2 or Caspian Luxman L-505U BMC C1 NAD D3020 / D7050 Electrocompaniet ECI-3 Moon 250i [edit] Oh, and the Yammy AS3000 of course! Edited March 11, 2014 by ~Spyne~ 1
betty boop Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 depending on what looking for can think of so many more ! musical fidelity a5 a classic in the musical fidelity xa-1 rega elicit cyrus 6,7 or 8 thats prob enough to munch over for a while
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted March 11, 2014 Volunteer Posted March 11, 2014 (edited) Addicted ? Understatement of the year Edited March 11, 2014 by Sir Sanders Zingmore
Cafad Posted March 11, 2014 Author Posted March 11, 2014 (edited) Lots of good stuff there, thanks guys. I'll field them in order. Modwright KWI200 Roksan Kandy K2 or Caspian Luxman L-505U BMC C1 NAD D3020 / D7050 Electrocompaniet ECI-3 Moon 250i [edit] Oh, and the Yammy AS3000 of course! I'll have to look the Modwright and BMC up, not familiar with them, yet. And the Moon 250i has been done, way back when, sounded a bit like a much more forward Perreaux Audiant 80i with about twice the grunt, from memory. And yes, the new Yammy AS3000, I think I'll add that one to number 11. Edited March 11, 2014 by Cafad
Cafad Posted March 11, 2014 Author Posted March 11, 2014 Rega Osiris And another one added to number 11. depending on what looking for can think of so many more ! musical fidelity a5 a classic in the musical fidelity xa-1 rega elicit cyrus 6,7 or 8 thats prob enough to munch over for a while MF and the Rega Elicit R, nice. I think I've got a bead on the general Rega sound from the Brio R so I'd only target an Elicit R if there was nothing new around at the time (new stuff takes preference of course). And the Cyrus, I've heard a Cyrus and I was not a fan of the sound, at all! I suppose it could be different on the S2Rs, but it would have to be pretty damn different to appeal. I've added the MF A5 to the list, the XA-1 I might add to number 11. Addicted ? Understatement of the year Maybe, but until the psychologists come up with a specific name for it (and probably even then) "Addict" is the easiest word to describe it. 1
betty boop Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 cafad, some of these amps work a treat with some speakers better than others. if havent liked cyrus probably just havent come across the right speakers for them. best match was the orginal mission speakers....but yeah theyre no longer and any new missions since, nothing like what they once were. 1
Sierra Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 Consonance Calaf, I've been lusting after one of these for a while now, one of the Chinese brands that can actually mix it with the rest of the world. I'm pretty much over most of the other chinese brands. What about the Jungson JA-88D? Another serious Chinese amp that can mix it with the rest of the world. From memory you had already mentioned you would like to get your hands on one.
Cafad Posted March 11, 2014 Author Posted March 11, 2014 (edited) Karan ? Do they still make integrated amps? Another number 11 candidate there if they do. What about the Jungson JA-88D? Another serious Chinese amp that can mix it with the rest of the world. From memory you had already mentioned you would like to get your hands on one. I did indeed, but it was so long ago I had forgotten. I think I'll add it in on number 8, the same line as the Calaf. Looks like I'm not as finished with the Chinese amps as I thought I was. hegel h300 gryphon diablo vitus sia-025 Another two for number 11, and the Hegel, I have wanted to hear a Hegel ever since I heard that the first few models were based on the Consonance C1/C100. jadis da-60 Too many light bulbs in that one for me. Never underestimate DIY efforts either..... I think you know me better than that by now Decky, your mods and creations (and those of others too) are always welcome in my auditorium. honey badg....oh wait. How about a Quasimodo. And speaking of some of those others. Did you finish that Quasimodo Simon? If so, would you be willing to lend it out for a short while? I'll take good care of it, put it to bed early, the whole 9 yards... Or Naksa 80? Holton amp from Aussie amps? The Naksa 80 that I heard at the amp GTG didn't do much for me, but then I didn't like the Burson gear on those ML2 Limiteds either and I love it on my S2Rs so maybe I should be a bit more open minded, alright, Naksa 80 gets added in. Holton I can't say I know them, I'll have to go look them up. Edited March 12, 2014 by Cafad
~Spyne~ Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 And the Moon 250i has been done, way back when, sounded a bit like a much more forward Perreaux Audiant 80i with about twice the grunt, from memory. Wow, how did I miss that. Must go back and read it - it was high on my list before I found my 2010S2 at a good price. Or Naksa 80? Holton amp from Aussie amps? I didn't realise the Naksa was integrated (w/ volume control), although I guess I always assumed Hugh could modify the design to inculde volume control/attenuation and I guess he could even add in multiple source selection too....?
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted March 11, 2014 Volunteer Posted March 11, 2014 What about a Job? you're just being silly now @@Juicester the Job is not integrated
buddyev Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 How about Creek? the Destiny and Evolution 5350 are both worth a listen. They are discontinued and they told me at the hi fi show that there were no plans for new higher end amps — I found that a bit hard to believe.
Juicester Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 you're just being silly now @@Juicester the Job is not integrated no no. I meant a job for cafad. So he had something to fill his day with rather than integrated amps. 1
Bell Ringer Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 How about a Conrad Johnson CA200. No tubes even though its a CJ! Its a shame you don't want to play with the glowing stuff, there are some fun hybrids out there. My APL UA1 is a keeper.
Antipodean Brad Posted March 12, 2014 Posted March 12, 2014 Caxton Audio has a used CJ CA200. Perhaps they will let you try it. Best Regards, Brad
blybo Posted March 12, 2014 Posted March 12, 2014 (edited) Caxton Audio has a used CJ CA200. Perhaps they will let you try it. Best Regards, Brad Caxton (Melbourne) will not home demo. Been there, tried that. Edited March 12, 2014 by blybo
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