Kimo Report post #1 Posted June 10, 2018 I am considering auditioning some higher powered electronics with my Alta Audio Celesta FRM-2 monitors. They are of a nominal 4 ohm load. I am only interested in integrated amps. So far I have come up with 2 candidates. 1. Pass Labs INT 250 2. Jeff Rowland Continuum S2 I have ruled out a few brands already for various reasons: Accuphase, Ayre, Boulder, Chord, Devialet, and Musical Fidelity. Looking for suggestions and at least 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms. Market seems smaller than I had thought. I am done with heavy separates and monoblocks, though obviously the Pass isn't very easy on the back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NOMBEDES Report post #2 Posted June 10, 2018 money money money there's never enough Accuphase E 470 = 180WPC = $12K In any dispute the intensity of feeling is inversely proportional to the value of the issues at stake ~ Sayre's Law Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kimo Report post #3 Posted June 11, 2018 2 hours ago, NOMBEDES said: money money money there's never enough Accuphase E 470 = 180WPC = $12K Have you heard this unit? I sort of discounted the brand, because of the variety of pricing out there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lfs Report post #4 Posted June 11, 2018 CODA CSiB integrated amplifier. Their V2 configuration is rated at 250WPC into 8 ohm Class AB, 500WPC into 4 ohm Class AB, and stays in Class A up through 12Watts. They offer 3 configurations that are biased differently for various power outputs. I think they run about $6,000. I listened to one last year and liked what I heard. Check around on the web for reviews. http://www.coda.cc/product/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GUTB Report post #5 Posted June 11, 2018 I came within an inch of picking up an Accuphase, but thier lack of power and lack of current made me think better of it. If you have 4 Ohm speakers you need an amp with muscle to double into 4 Ohms. Consider the higher end McIntosh integrated which can put 200w into and load using thier autoformer tech. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
esldude Report post #6 Posted June 11, 2018 17 minutes ago, GUTB said: I came within an inch of picking up an Accuphase, but thier lack of power and lack of current made me think better of it. If you have 4 Ohm speakers you need an amp with muscle to double into 4 Ohms. Consider the higher end McIntosh integrated which can put 200w into and load using thier autoformer tech. Have you spent much time with autoformer McIntosh's?? To paraphrase Rick James, "sighted listening is a helluva drug". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TubeLover Report post #7 Posted June 11, 2018 You might consider the Modwright KWI-200. It meets your requirements, and is an outstanding value, very well made, in the United States. http://www.modwright.com/products/kwi-200.php JC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
One and a half Report post #8 Posted June 11, 2018 3 hours ago, GUTB said: I came within an inch of picking up an Accuphase, but thier lack of power and lack of current made me think better of it. If you have 4 Ohm speakers you need an amp with muscle to double into 4 Ohms. Consider the higher end McIntosh integrated which can put 200w into and load using thier autoformer tech. Lack of power, for real? Accuphase publish minimum specifications and actual measurements are far higher. The current delivery of Accuphase amps is enough to weld with, typically the larger amps can source one ohm. Better an inch than a mm huh. AS Profile Equipment List Say NO to MQA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MetalNuts Report post #9 Posted June 11, 2018 Gryphon's Diablo 300 which gives you 300W at 8 ohm. This is my previous Integrated amp to drive Magico S1 MK2. Powerful, yet detail and musical and there is not much choice with such juice at such price range. 1 Albrecht reacted to this MetalNuts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Audiophile Neuroscience Report post #10 Posted June 11, 2018 2 hours ago, MetalNuts said: Gryphon's Diablo 300 which gives you 300W at 8 ohm. This is my previous Integrated amp to drive Magico S1 MK2. Powerful, yet detail and musical and there is not much choice with such juice at such price range. Yes, Gryphon Diablo 300 would be my choice too for an integrated amp, if affordable. Mephisto/Pandora is ...well, not integrated but diabolically divine. Your Avatar sucks. 1 MetalNuts reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mordante Report post #11 Posted June 11, 2018 7 hours ago, GUTB said: I came within an inch of picking up an Accuphase, but thier lack of power and lack of current made me think better of it. If you have 4 Ohm speakers you need an amp with muscle to double into 4 Ohms. Consider the higher end McIntosh integrated which can put 200w into and load using thier autoformer tech. I never liked McIntosh SS amps. Even the huge mono amps sounded dull and underpowered. When I bought my some speakers a while back the owner demoed them with McIntoch gear, pre amp and mono blocks. The sound was bad IMHO. Then I put in my 100watt/channel integrated amp. The speakers became a lot more dynamic and lively. 1 Nordkapp reacted to this [br] Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nordkapp Report post #12 Posted June 11, 2018 7 hours ago, esldude said: Have you spent much time with autoformer McIntosh's?? Veiled...... 1 esldude reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MetalNuts Report post #13 Posted June 11, 2018 1 hour ago, Audiophile Neuroscience said: Yes, Gryphon Diablo 300 would be my choice too for an integrated amp, if affordable. Mephisto/Pandora is ...well, not integrated but diabolically divine. Your Avatar sucks. Thank you for agreeing my suggestion of Gryphon. I believe if it is not my avatar, you would not be drawn to my reply, ? MetalNuts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Audiophile Neuroscience Report post #14 Posted June 11, 2018 1 minute ago, MetalNuts said: Thank you for agreeing my suggestion of Gryphon. I believe if it is not my avatar, you would not be drawn to my reply, ? Like a moth to a flame , my friend ! 1 MetalNuts reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MetalNuts Report post #15 Posted June 11, 2018 8 hours ago, GUTB said: I came within an inch of picking up an Accuphase, but thier lack of power and lack of current made me think better of it. If you have 4 Ohm speakers you need an amp with muscle to double into 4 Ohms. Consider the higher end McIntosh integrated which can put 200w into and load using thier autoformer tech. I would prefer Accuphase to McIntosh. I had used 2 models of Accuphase and I did not find it lack of power. However, no matter how powerful McIntosh may be, it is not just mycup of tea though its look is appealing. MetalNuts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MetalNuts Report post #16 Posted June 11, 2018 15 hours ago, Kimo said: Jeff Rowland Continuum S2 I had used this before and it sounds thin but it is one of the best Class D amplifier you can get. Another thing I don't like is the polishing which will easily be stained and the manual said that it is not advisable to clean even with a light damp cloth. So it leaves me hanging of how should I clean it (I have the habit of cleaning my equipment every week). MetalNuts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AnotherSpin Report post #17 Posted June 11, 2018 10 minutes ago, MetalNuts said: [...] However, no matter how powerful McIntosh may be, it is not just mycup of tea though its look is appealing. I just wondering, why Grateful Dead used McIntosh amps? And, I like your avatar, it is the best. 1 MetalNuts reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nordkapp Report post #18 Posted June 11, 2018 1 minute ago, AnotherSpin said: I just wondering, why Grateful Dead used McIntosh amps? And, I like your avatar, it is the best. Grateful Dead aren't in the business of hifi sound during concert. Brute strength-yes. Hi end sound-no. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AnotherSpin Report post #19 Posted June 11, 2018 1 minute ago, Nordkapp said: Grateful Dead aren't in the business of hifi sound during concert. Brute strength-yes. Hi end sound-no. Brute strength? I am afraid you do not know what you speak about. They were pretty much well known for a best sound ever during performances. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mav52 Report post #20 Posted June 11, 2018 1 hour ago, Audiophile Neuroscience said: Yes, Gryphon Diablo 300 would be my choice too for an integrated amp, if affordable. Mephisto/Pandora is ...well, not integrated but diabolically divine. Your Avatar sucks. Yep affordable, only $20k with the dac The Truth Is Out There Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nordkapp Report post #21 Posted June 11, 2018 14 minutes ago, AnotherSpin said: Brute strength? I am afraid you do not know what you speak about. They were pretty much well known for a best sound ever during performances. I know quite well what I speak about. Thank you very much. Crapintosh is garbage. They'd have to charge 1/3 less to justify their egregious sound. IMO, their autoformer tech is not hifi. Midfi yes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
psjug Report post #22 Posted June 11, 2018 2 minutes ago, Nordkapp said: I know quite well what I speak about. Thank you very much. Crapintosh is garbage. They'd have to charge 1/3 less to justify their egregious sound. IMO, their autoformer tech is not hifi. Midfi yes. I'm not meaning to side one way or another, but the Wall of Sound is an interesting story https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/wnnayb/the-wall-of-sound Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
a.dent Report post #23 Posted June 11, 2018 My thoughts are Vitus RI-101 Gryphon Diablo Accuphase E-470 All will drive most speakers to serious (ear damaging) volumes. I have Magico S5s. DAC and phono stage can be installed in Accuphase. DAC only in the Danish integrateds. I recently sold my Vitus to upgrade to Accuphase separates but the E-470 integrated is close to (or better than) the Vitus. 1 MarkS reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AnotherSpin Report post #24 Posted June 11, 2018 1 hour ago, Nordkapp said: I know quite well what I speak about. Thank you very much. Crapintosh is garbage. They'd have to charge 1/3 less to justify their egregious sound. IMO, their autoformer tech is not hifi. Midfi yes. If you know it well, you would probably be aware Grateful Dead were never about a brute force... You welcome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mecani Report post #25 Posted June 11, 2018 hi i enjoyed pass labs int 250 for about four months I have to say that it is one of the best amplifiers that have passed through my hands, strength, control and at the same time delicacy Everything will depend on the size of the room and the boxes that will move but I believe that this pass is able to move with solvency any market box Share this post Link to post Share on other sites