Integrated Amp and Absolute Sound

[JohnMichael]

I have been reading the recent Absolute Sound magazine and they did a review of two integrated maps. The Goldenote from Italy caught my interest as did the new Krell int. amp. I was wondering if anyone is familiar with Goldenote?

I have been looking at many integrated amps and I am trying to narrow my choices. They seem to be in two camps either the 60 watt or 100-250 watt amps. The Naim Nait, Exposure 2010, Goldenote S1, LFD Zero, Simaudio Moon 1 are all in the 50-70 watt range. Creek, Musical Fidelity, Krell, Portal Panache are higher wattage units. I do know the power supply quality of the amp is very important. I am only able to hear a few of the amps with which I am interested.

I am not interested in tubed units. I plan on buying new. Since last time I asked for advice there are new units on the market and I am looking for current advice. Thanks for any help.

The good news is the condo I inherited is finally under contract. It has been a money pit since it could not be rented and we have been paying the condo fees, utilities and property taxes. I hope I have written my last big check to the condo fund. I look forward to the delivery of new equipment and a little travel.

[basite]

Hi John, I've heard the Naim a couple of times, and found impressive sounding to say at least, very detailed and lively with great, tight bass. it had this certain 'slam' to it's sound.
The exposure, I have heard too, but not that long. I couldn't really say that it stood out amongst others, a softer, more gentle, but 'fresh' sound though... attractive price too (here in europe, at least...)

I haven't had that much experience with the other gear you mentioned. The simaudio is pretty analytical though, from my other experiences with the brand...
What musical fidelity are you looking at? great gear too, but I'd definately go for an Accuphase or a Mcintosh instead...

Speaking of which, if you pay a little more (not that much more, really), you could also look at an Accuphase integrated, an E-350, for example. Great gear, lasts a lifetime, amazing sound...
Or a Mcintosh, but you'd have to go for a MA6500 or MA6600 to better the E350, and they cost more...

Good luck and have fun

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[JohnMichael]

Hi John, I've heard the Naim a couple of times, and found impressive sounding to say at least, very detailed and lively with great, tight bass. it had this certain 'slam' to it's sound.
The exposure, I have heard too, but not that long. I couldn't really say that it stood out amongst others, a softer, more gentle, but 'fresh' sound though... attractive price too (here in europe, at least...)

I haven't had that much experience with the other gear you mentioned. The simaudio is pretty analytical though, from my other experiences with the brand...
What musical fidelity are you looking at? great gear too, but I'd definately go for an Accuphase or a Mcintosh instead...

Speaking of which, if you pay a little more (not that much more, really), you could also look at an Accuphase integrated, an E-350, for example. Great gear, lasts a lifetime, amazing sound...
Or a Mcintosh, but you'd have to go for a MA6500 or MA6600 to better the E350, and they cost more...

Good luck and have fun

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

Bert,

Thanks for the advice. The Musical Fidelity int amp I have been considering is the A5.5. It is a 250 watt integrated amp. I have never gone for high power before but I understand the thoughts behind high power. I also agree with those who promote low power single pair of tranisistors.

I have also been consiedering the Luxman L505u.

I am 53 years old and I am looking for an integrated amp that will last for many a years. This may be the amp that lasts me to the end. I am looking for something neutral that might lean to warmth. Better seperation of instruments and more defined soundstage will be welcome. A little stronger in the bass would be nice. The Onkyo A 9555 is much of what I enjoy as far as balance and neutrality but I want a little more. The A 9555 is amazing for the money.

I will travel to Cincinnati to hear Naim. Much of what I am interested in I am not able to hear.

Thanks,

[basite]

I have also been consiedering the Luxman L505u.

I am 53 years old and I am looking for an integrated amp that will last for many a years. This may be the amp that lasts me to the end. I am looking for something neutral that might lean to warmth. Better seperation of instruments and more defined soundstage will be welcome. A little stronger in the bass would be nice. The Onkyo A 9555 is much of what I enjoy as far as balance and neutrality but I want a little more. The A 9555 is amazing for the money.

Definitely keep the Luxman in mind

I heard some luxman products amps recently, they were too rich for my blood, but anyways:
They were absolutely amazing. almost undescribeable. Compared to other products in the same price range, I would have preferred the luxman above them.

Accuphase is a really great brand too, and just like luxman, extremely reliable. very fast, clean and well detailed sound. very transparent, fantastic sound stage. Wether they are 'neutral' or not may be subjective, but if this is coloration, bring on the entire rainbow.

I'd say: add mcintosh to your list too, but you'd be looking at higher priced amps to compete with the luxman and accuphase. Not that the lower priced units are bad, but the real Mcintosh house sound will come out better with their autoformers...

All of the above are amazing brands, and will probably last longer than one's lifetime...


Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[Feanor]

Definitely keep the Luxman in mind
...
Accuphase is a really great brand too, and just like luxman, extremely reliable. very fast, clean and well detailed sound. very transparent, fantastic sound stage. Wether they are 'neutral' or not may be subjective, but if this is coloration, bring on the entire rainbow.

I'd say: add mcintosh to your list too...

All of the above are amazing brands, and will probably last longer than one's lifetime...

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

Personally I'd really like the Pass Labs INT-150, but at US$7000 it ain't happening.
...

[basite]

Personally I'd really like the Pass Labs INT-150, but at US$7000 it ain't happening.
...

cool amp!

never saw one yet, but if it's in the same trend as the other Pass labs gear, I'm interested to find out more

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[Ajani]

The amps that most interest me in the $1.5K to $2K range are:

Musical Fidelity A1 - 36 Watts
Naim Nait 5i - 50 Watts
Simaudio Moon I1 - 50 Watts
YBA YA201 - 100 Watts
Roksan Kandy K2 - 125 Watts
Cambridge Audio 840A V2 - 120 Watts
&
Creek Evolution 5350 - 120 Watts

With the exception of the Creek (which is yet to be released) all the others have been drooled over in hifi mags across the globe, for being genuine High-End entry points (assuming that matters)...

[Ajani]

I forgot to add these two Class D Integrated amps:

PS Audio Trio C-100 - 100 Watts
Bel Canto S300i - 150 Watts

[jrhymeammo]

With your budget, how about a Level-2 modified Xandak XA-6950?

[JohnMichael]

With your budget, how about a Level-2 modified Xandak XA-6950?

JRA I looked up the brand since I was not familiar with the name. Interesting suggestion and I have been interested in Dussun. So many choices too little chances of hearing them.

[Auricauricle]

I have read very nice things about the Onkyo A9555, JM. When you say you want "a little more", what do you mean? More neutrality? More kick?

Accuphase is truly a manufacturer of robust and reliable gear, as basite points out. Although I have not owned anything of theirs, I have had the pleasure of listening to a fre integrateds and stand alone amps hooked to some of the higher priced Tannoys (Churchills, Westminsters, etc.). The presentation, to my recollection was meaty and unstrained. It's the kind of stuff that gets passed on to the grandkids....

I like Naim. Hooked up to to a pair of Epos, the Naims were quite musical and natural. I remember small chamber and jazz ensembles played with an eerie presence that reminded me why this hobby holds me in its grip even today.

Luxman is very nice, but their products are much like Marantz: Higher along the price range, the stuff gets better and better; further down, things get less interesting. Caveat emptor.

[JohnMichael]

I have read very nice things about the Onkyo A9555, JM. When you say you want "a little more", what do you mean? More neutrality? More kick?

The Onkyo A 9555 is very nice and the phono pre amp is great with the Ortofon OM20. I like the tonal balance but could use a little more seperation and definition of the soundstage.

[Auricauricle]

Shoot! I gotta start wearin' a bib before I log on, here!

[GMichael]

Shoot! I gotta start wearin' a bib before I log on, here!

Me2. It's just not fairs I tells ya...

[basite]

Me2. It's just not fairs I tells ya...

here's another one for ya, just to see if you're actually wearing the bib

CLICK HERE.

You could have one too

keep them spinning,
Bert.

[GMichael]

here's another one for ya, just to see if you're actually wearing the bib

CLICK HERE.

You could have one too

keep them spinning,
Bert.

Smarty pants. I've already droolled over that one. No double dipping.

[Auricauricle]

Bert...you are dithpicable!

[Auricauricle]

Interesting comment about the Onky, JM. I see you stuck a Hi Fi tuning fuse in (didn't Stereophile reccommend this?). Did that not make any difference?

[JohnMichael]

Interesting comment about the Onky, JM. I see you stuck a Hi Fi tuning fuse in (didn't Stereophile reccommend this?). Did that not make any difference?

The Onkyo is very good for the money. I am still happy with it but I have listened to other electronics and I know there is a greater level of refinement and resolution. Onky will be moving into a bedroom system and what ever amp I choose will be in the living room. My speakers are very nice and I think will benefit with a step or two up in electronics. I want an amp that can drive any speaker I might choose in the future and built to last. My budget is up to $3500.

[Auricauricle]

With that budget, it looks as though you can pick and choose as you please. Have you looked into Bryston or Mark Levinson? Where are you heading?

[basite]

I'd definately look at Accuphase then, and that Luxman sure as well is a candidate too...

Good luck, and have fun!!

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[GMichael]

Hey JM,

Don't forget to tell us your impressions of anything you check out or buy. This way, we (I) can drool over your new equipment. Plus, it will give me an idea of what I might like when I have an extra $3500.

Enjoy the sampling JM. It's half the fun.

[dean_martin]

The latest Stereophile mentioned that the new Roksan Kandy integrated is out at $1795 with phono stage and it's getting good press across the pond.

The Creek Destiny integrated with phono stage has been bragged on too. Apparently, the phono section in it is so good that Creek is going to release it as a separate.

The latest version of Magnum Dynalab's receiver is out also.

Doesn't Bryston have an integrated with optional DAC?

Give tubes a chance! I think the Pathos mentioned earlier is a hybrid. The smaller preamp tubes (12AX7, 12AU7, etc.) do not run hot, last many years and are inexpensive and easy to find if you get the urge to try different tubes. Power tubes, OTOH, can be a pain. If one goes out, ideally you should replace all of them with a matched set which can get expensive and bothersome. It's much cheaper to have a pair of preamp tubes on hand for replacements. Check out some hybrids. (Although you might want to hear an all tubed Manley Stingray for the heck of it.)

Of course I haven't heard any of the above. Keep us posted on what you're able to hear.

[Ajani]

The latest Stereophile mentioned that the new Roksan Kandy integrated is out at $1795 with phono stage and it's getting good press across the pond.

The Creek Destiny integrated with phono stage has been bragged on too. Apparently, the phono section in it is so good that Creek is going to release it as a separate.

The Kandy K2 is actually $1595 per Stereophile and has received a heck of a lot of great press across the pond from What Hifi, Hifi Choice and Hifi World... I'm looking forward to Art Dudley's review of it for Stereophile... Though with a budget of $3,500, I think JM should be checking out the Roksan Caspian instead...

The Destiny is Stereophile Class A and has received rave reviews globally... It's constantly described as sounding like a best of both worlds between tubes and solid state... and at 100 watts it should have sufficient punch for any reasonable speakers JM might use on it... though if he really wants horsepower, then the Musical Fidelity A5.5 is the best way to go...

JM - have u considered grabbing a pair of MF 550K Superchargers??? they are available all over for just $2.5K now and you could easily get a $1K Pre to go with them... that would give u more power than U should ever need....

[dean_martin]

what's the latest Plinius model and what's it going for?

The first integrated I auditioned about 10 years ago when I got back into this hobby was a Plinius driving a big pair of Martin Logan speakers. It definitely had punch and deep bass, but I don't remember it being on the warm side. It was built like a tank though.