Respectable Integrateds

[beerandmusic]

Lots of suggestions for new $4K+....any more suggestions for used or $2K and under?

 

[Shadders]

Hi,

The Cambridge Audio Azur 851A :

https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/gbr/en/products/851/851a

Costs £1,400 which is approximately $1,936.

Regards,

Shadders.

[firedog]

http://www.odysseyaudio.com/products-cyclops.html

 

starts new at $1095. upgrades can push it up, but still under $2k. Very good amp.

[gmgraves]

5 hours ago, beerandmusic said:

I see there are 2 different models of hk990 do you have a 1989 hk990 vxi or a more recent one?  an avr?

 

 

I have the more recent one. I got it in 2014. It is 150 WPC dual-mono design (separate power transformers for each channel), has built in room correction DSP, a built-in dual differential 24/192 DAC (that I don't use because it's a Delta-Sigma design, the sound of which, I don't particularly care for. I only really like R2R DACs). Mine is audio only and is an integrated amp (with lots of features, to be sure), not a receiver. It sounds magnificent (as every review has said, and as every audiophile who has heard mine can attest! It was also a bargain. I have an acquaintance who owns a company that makes very expensive power amps, preamps and integrated amps. When he heard my HK990, he kept asking, in a tone of total disbelief: "How much did you say this amp cost, again?" His integrated (though nice) is only 50 WPC into 8Ω and costs $13K!

[bobbmd]

i have a 2005 yamaha rx-v2500 with all bells whistles at that time still works great and i play with all sorts DSP selections including THX neo music etc and different halls/theaters etc only thing the GUI no longer works for room calibration and there is no USB port

i'll bet newer Yamaha or Onyko(sic) integrateds are even better and inexpensive also try that 'retro'

Outlaw Audio 2 channel stereo integrated

[AudioDoctor]

5 hours ago, beerandmusic said:

so which do you like better, the mac7200 or the Primaluna Dialogue Premium

 

For different things I like them both.  For ultimate sit back and relax and do nothing but listen to beautiful; music, the Primaluna.  In my home office where I don't want a huge stack of boxes but still want great sounding music, I like the MAC7200.

[semente]

5 hours ago, beerandmusic said:

so which do you like better, the mac7200 or the Primaluna Dialogue Premium

 

I'd stay away from Prima Luna, their amps have very high output impedance.

[beerandmusic]

22 minutes ago, semente said:

 

I'd stay away from Prima Luna, their amps have very high output impedance.

what does that specifically do in the terms of SQ?

I have heard them at shows and was impressed.

[semente]

Just now, beerandmusic said:

what does that specifically do in the terms of SQ?

I have heard them at shows and was impressed.

 

The frequency response will be extremely affected by the speaker load (wobbly line below):

Prima Luna Prologue One, 8 ohm tap, frequency response at 2.83V into (from top to bottom at 2kHz): simulated loudspeaker load, 8 ohms, 4 ohms, 2 ohms (2dB/vertical div., right channel dashed).
Read more at https://www.stereophile.com/content/prima-luna-prologue-one-integrated-amplifier-measurements

[MarkS]

Sorry to repost, but the Job INT costs $1,700 and the Nuprime IDA8 costs $1,000. Both admittedly have limitations, but both (personal experience) are pretty darn good, especially for the money. 

[AudioDoctor]

1 hour ago, semente said:

 

I'd stay away from Prima Luna, their amps have very high output impedance.

 

So you're going to take their bottom of the line amp, and say don't buy their top end amp...  Not to mention the article is 13 years old...

 

yeah, makes sense...

[semente]

11 minutes ago, AudioDoctor said:

 

So you're going to take their bottom of the line amp, and say don't buy their top end amp...  Not to mention the article is 13 years old...

 

yeah, makes sense...

 

This is from 2014:

 

PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium, 8 ohm tap, frequency response at 2.83V into: simulated loudspeaker load (gray), 8 ohms (left channel blue, right red), 4 ohms (left cyan, right magenta), 2 ohms (green) (1dB/vertical div.).
Read more at https://www.stereophile.com/content/primaluna-prologue-premium-power-amplifier-measurements

[AudioDoctor]

31 minutes ago, semente said:

 

This is from 2014:

 

PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium, 8 ohm tap, frequency response at 2.83V into: simulated loudspeaker load (gray), 8 ohms (left channel blue, right red), 4 ohms (left cyan, right magenta), 2 ohms (green) (1dB/vertical div.).
Read more at https://www.stereophile.com/content/primaluna-prologue-premium-power-amplifier-measurements

 

You do realize that they could simulate any speaker load they wanted to and get any result they wanted to get, right?

[davide256]

2 hours ago, semente said:

 

I'd stay away from Prima Luna, their amps have very high output impedance.

Mine has been a life saver with its 4 ohm taps, seems both Magnepan 1.7's and KEF LS50's work better with that choice..

And  with its auto bias you can play to your hearts content trying different power tube types.

 

[semente]

10 minutes ago, AudioDoctor said:

 

You do realize that they could simulate any speaker load they wanted to and get any result they wanted to get, right?

 

The amplifier should be able to output flat over this or any other load (within reason).

 

Here's what happens when you measure the output of a Marantz integrated into the same load:

 

Marantz PM5003, Source Direct frequency response at 2.83V into: simulated loudspeaker load (gray), 8 ohms (left channel blue, right red), 4 ohms (left cyan, right magenta), 2 ohms (green). (0.25dB/vertical div.)
Read more at https://www.stereophile.com/content/marantz-pm5003-integrated-amplifier-measurements

[davide256]

However I will say that the pre section on the Prima Luna Premium integrated is mediocre ... I bought mine because I was concerned about an aging CJ PV10A pre,  but have always bypassed the pre section because of its limitations.

[beerandmusic]

2 hours ago, MarkS said:

Sorry to repost, but the Job INT costs $1,700 and the Nuprime IDA8 costs $1,000. Both admittedly have limitations, but both (personal experience) are pretty darn good, especially for the money. 

 

Yea, i checked every entry...the job website scares me to be honest...i could do a better job in an hour (grin)...ihope they pay more attention to their amps than their website.

 

I prefer a beefier high current amp....vintage is ok.

The HK990 looks more up my alley.

 

[beerandmusic]

58 minutes ago, semente said:

 

The amplifier should be able to output flat over this or any other load (within reason).

 

Here's what happens when you measure the output of a Marantz integrated into the same load:

 

Marantz PM5003, Source Direct frequency response at 2.83V into: simulated loudspeaker load (gray), 8 ohms (left channel blue, right red), 4 ohms (left cyan, right magenta), 2 ohms (green). (0.25dB/vertical div.)
Read more at https://www.stereophile.com/content/marantz-pm5003-integrated-amplifier-measurements

 

I have always been a fan of marantz and have been looking at pm7005?

[realhifi]

1 minute ago, beerandmusic said:

 

I have always been a fan of marantz and have been looking at pm6005?

For a smaller system that is a decent choice. 

[beerandmusic]

Just now, realhifi said:

For a smaller system that is a decent choice. 

i just edited..i meant 7005, but probably same deal...

[realhifi]

7005 is unique in the inclusion of the usb input and the fact it’s made in Japan like some of their better pieces. 

[trappy]

9 minutes ago, beerandmusic said:

 

Yea, i checked every entry...the job website scares me to be honest...i could do a better job in an hour (grin)...ihope they pay more attention to their amps than their website.

 

I prefer a beefier high current amp....vintage is ok.

The HK990 looks more up my alley.

 

Very responsive, if somewhat brusque folks at Job. The website works fine, and my INT has made glorious music without a single hiccup for 15 months now. No shortage of current; it drives my 89db 4ohm Reynauds to neighbour offending levels and is pretty awesome on heavy metal, weighty brass, tinkling cymbal, and tickled ivory. I’m damn sure the DAC section kicks the HK990’s into last year. Best single piece of equipment I have ever purchased. The Marantz is a fine amplifier/DAC actually, but a little too laid-back for me — I kind of feel that way about most Marantz, TBH.

[beerandmusic]

5 minutes ago, trappy said:

Very responsive, if somewhat brusque folks at Job. The website works fine, and my INT has made glorious music without a single hiccup for 15 months now. No shortage of current; it drives my 89db 4ohm Reynauds to neighbour offending levels and is pretty awesome on heavy metal, weighty brass, tinkling cymbal, and tickled ivory. I’m damn sure the DAC section kicks the HK990’s into last year. Best single piece of equipment I have ever purchased. The Marantz is a fine amplifier/DAC actually, but a little too laid-back for me — I kind of feel that way about most Marantz, TBH.

 

Yea, i am more of a laid back type...love my mcintosh, but I am planning on buying a new mcintosh once they come out with a new DA module and after my move, so i wanted something to hold me over....i just picked up the marantz pm7005...hifiheaven had one for only 599 with free shipping, so hard to pass on.

 

[trappy]

That’s a pretty sweet deal: enjoy! Let us know what it’s like.

[MarkS]

3 hours ago, trappy said:

Very responsive, if somewhat brusque folks at Job. The website works fine, and my INT has made glorious music without a single hiccup for 15 months now. No shortage of current; it drives my 89db 4ohm Reynauds to neighbour offending levels and is pretty awesome on heavy metal, weighty brass, tinkling cymbal, and tickled ivory. I’m damn sure the DAC section kicks the HK990’s into last year. Best single piece of equipment I have ever purchased. The Marantz is a fine amplifier/DAC actually, but a little too laid-back for me — I kind of feel that way about most Marantz, TBH.

 

The Job INT also drives the difficult, but great sounding, Boenickie W5se’s well.