Integrated amplifiers-experiences,insights and auditioning.

[rded]

Feel free to post Make and models and your experiences on Integrated amps.

Here's one of my experiences on them...

http://www.naim-audio.com/products/supernait.html

I was at my dealer last Sunday and we listened to the Burmester stack. While I was astounded by the sound of the Burmesters I was just curious about the Naim stack right beside it: CD5x($3000), Supernait(integ amp $4500)and flatcap2x(power supply $1200).
I personally have the CD5x and am quite familiar with its sonic signature as well as what differences the Flatcap 2x actually adds into the mix. But I have never heard the Supernait until that day. Powers specs are not really eye catching 80 wattsx2 but will drive most speakers. At roughly $8700, which is not even a third of the price of the Burmester, the Naim stack was able to come close to about 80% of the sonic capabilities of the Burmester. The bass was tight deep and textured, the midrange was sweet and airy but not bright. There was just over all coherence and harmony-hence the Naim stack actually plays MUSIC. Where the burmester had the upper hand and the Naims limits were unveiled were at the bottom end when the frequency dips to the low to mid-20hz. But hey, its an integrated amp after all and we're comparing it to Burmester separates.
Once I learned that the Supernait was capable of HT bypass, I knew this was the integ amp for me. You can find more reviews on this product here:

http://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/108naim/

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/aud...-272279/review

http://whathifi.com/Review/Naim-Supernait/

EDIT: Asscociated equipment DYnaudio Confidence 2, Burmester B25 loudspeakers and 948 power conditioner, Nordost Valhalla speaker wires and Brahma cords.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Most excellent thread Rhett!

My first integrated amp was a Pioneer SA-9500II....had it for years...in fact I still do, but it's in storage.

Certainly that I.A. didn't and doesn't compare to what you've audioned, but I thought I'd mention it anyway!

John

[rded]

Originally Posted by John72953

Most excellent thread Rhett!

My first integrated amp was a Pioneer SA-9500II....had it for years...in fact I still do, but it's in storage.

Certainly that I.A. didn't and doesn't compare to what you've audioned, but I thought I'd mention it anyway!

John

I betcha that your IA can still stand toe-to-toe with comparatively priced IAs of today. IMO the more recent integrated amps from Pioneer or any other japanese brand lost that "analog" feel.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by rded

I betcha that your IA can still stand toe-to-toe with comparatively priced IAs of today. IMO the more recent integrated amps from Pioneer or any other japanese brand lost that "analog" feel.

Absolutely....in fact, I was speaking with a friend the other day who says that his neighbour could probably get it up and running again. Not sure if I want to go that route, but it would be cool to see (actually hear) how it would sound now. The right side amplifier section died...not sure if I could even get a replacement part for it.

John

PS~ That IA costs me close to a grand back then! Big dollars for someone making $75 a week. LOL! (and I'm NOT joking).

[rded]

Originally Posted by John72953

Absolutely....in fact, I was speaking with a friend the other day who says that his neighbour could probably get it up and running again. Not sure if I want to go that route, but it would be cool to see (actually hear) how it would sound now. The right side amplifier section died...not sure if I could even get a replacement part for it.

John

PS~ That IA costs me close to a grand back then! Big dollars for someone making $75 a week. LOL! (and I'm NOT joking).

Yes my friend, that's like the Moon .5 or Naim Nait 5i by today's standards. Had i taken care of my pioneer stack(I spoke about in a different thread) back in the day, sheesh it'll still be around today. Oh we'll I was only 15yrs old when I got it a Stupid teenager

[crazyBLUE]

Ok ~ I hate to sound like A newbie at this because I am only 7 months into separates . But what is the difference between an I.A. & my UPA-7 !

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

Ok ~ I hate to sound like A newbie at this because I am only 7 months into separates . But what is the difference between an I.A. & my UPA-7 !

An integrated amp is usually stereo and consists of a preamp and stereo power amps. It consists of one less component than a stereo receiver that would include the tuner and one component more than true separates.

Rich

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

An integrated amp is usually stereo and consists of a preamp and stereo power amps. It consists of one less component than a stereo receiver that would include the tuner and one component more than true separates.

Rich

Thank you Rich . Still learning things when they pop up & don't know what they are !!

[Intamin]

I had considered this guy at one point, http://www.musicalfidelity.com/produ...int_specs.html but since I already have a separate pre-amp I figured I should get some more mileage out of it.

I've seen the Bermeister stack before, but didn't get a chance to listen Good luck on getting that Naim after your recent purchase

[rded]

Originally Posted by Intamin

I had considered this guy at one point, http://www.musicalfidelity.com/produ...int_specs.html but since I already have a separate pre-amp I figured I should get some more mileage out of it.

I've seen the Bermeister stack before, but didn't get a chance to listen Good luck on getting that Naim after your recent purchase

I havent had a chance to listen to any musical fidelity pieces although I know of atleast 2 dealers by me. Intamin, anytime you have a chance to listen to burmester gear, go for it. It truely has a "distinct" German sound. Its really good but expensive.
Although I am gaga over the Supernait, I'd still like to audition as many AIs as I can before I take the plunge. I am at a point where an upgrade/any unpgrad will make a noticeable difference. Unfortunately for me the upgrade path is not linear and straight forward. I can get the AI just as I said or get a new sub or upgrade my speaker wires or get a great 20 amp power supply. I know that Nordost has one coming up but I dunno if I can disclose any info as it is a couple of months away from release. Heck I can even get a TT and just be happy. But either way its nt going to be cheap Anybody looking for a kidney or liver?

[mdabb]

I know I have separates and this is about integrateds, but I was asked to still share my thoughts. Hopefully it is still interesting to some.


My baby !!! A ModWright Instruments LS36.5 (single box)

http://www.modwright.com/products/1



Well.......... I generally try to not use extremely colorful audiophile terminology, but I do get the love and affection that a person feels for their two channel gear.

To begin, this preamp is a very simple and uncomplicated piece of gear, which is the way I like it. It is a two channel analog tube preamp that does no processing of any kind and also doesn't have any tone controls of any kind, except for rolling tubes. Sounds scary huh ??? Well it's not, in fact it is glorious two channel tube fun !!! The sound is very natural and analog, which also helps me out big time, as I am a fan of natural analog sound even though my only source is a CDP (another story).

Throughout the years I've come to find out that I am very sensitive to digital sound and nothing ever sounded like the glorious days of yester-year !!! I often thought: What happened to music and still do for the most part. For the most part today's music is over-processed and cooked. Does anyone have natural talent anymore ??? What happened to playing instruments and singing ??? Just what the hell happened ??? Corporate creative control and merchandising. All they need is someone to look the part and go along with whatever. Music was once art......... enough of ranting as this is a happy thread !!!

In comes the ModWright LS36.5, and I owe much thanks to a buddy of mine who introduced me to my love. Yes, I'm talking about the LS36.5 Now this is what I was missing all along as well as my tubed out ModWright/Sony 9100ES CD/SACD player.

So what does it sound like already ??? OK, let me try..... What I get to hear is very honest, realistic, sincere, fun, full, buttery "not" stark and boring like low fat digital diet food. The LS36.5 is warm like a sunny day, and very convincing. The sound is also very enveloping and very much an experience. The music sounds like it's coming out of thin air and immediately puts a smile on your face. What I look for is to get lost in the moment, and the LS36.provides that in spades.

Since I have no tone controls to adjust the sound, I rely on how the LS36.5 sounds naturally itself with the rest of my gear. I must also share what tubes I use in this mama. Take into account tube gear is a lot about finding synergy among tubes and all the gear involved itself. Everything must play nicely with each other. Currently I have settled in with a nice rare 1950's British made "fat base" double O getter 5AR4/GZ34 rectifier tube and a pair of rare early 1980's Russian made Reflektor 6H30-DR's. I do have quite a collection of tubes going and do have a few of the most sought after and rarest of GZ34's out there. That would be the various metal base GZ34's, particularly the Philips Mini-watt metal base GZ34 which averages $500-$800 per NOS tube . While I feel the Metal base GZ34's are great sounding, I still love my "fat base" the best so far and I don't mind keeping my metal base GZ34's stored away, maturing in value. Gotta love that !!!

Together like they should be .......... the ModWright LS36.5 and modded 9100ES.

[rded]

Thanks Mdabb. All I can say now is

[mdabb]

Originally Posted by rded

Thanks Mdabb. All I can say now is

Found a couple more integrated with a home theater bypass.

http://www.musicalfidelity.com/products/a55/a55int.html

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MFA55

Liking the Bryston !!!

http://bryston.com/intsel.html

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo...mber=BYB100SST

More to come...........

[rded]

Originally Posted by mdabb

Found a couple more integrated with a home theater bypass.

http://www.musicalfidelity.com/products/a55/a55int.html

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MFA55

Liking the Bryston !!!

http://bryston.com/intsel.html

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo...mber=BYB100SST

More to come...........

Thanks mdabb! The Bryston is kind of in the price range I was looking for. I know of a couple of dealers here. Haha! Let the auditions begin-for me.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by rded

Thanks mdabb! The Bryston is kind of in the price range I was looking for. I know of a couple of dealers here. Haha! Let the auditions begin-for me.

And a 20-year warranty is nothing to sneeze at either!

John

[mdabb]

Originally Posted by John72953

And a 20-year warranty is nothing to sneeze at either!

John

To me that certainly speaks volumes !!! I don't think you can go wrong with Bryston either, classic !!!

[rded]

Originally Posted by John72953

And a 20-year warranty is nothing to sneeze at either!

John

Oh yeah! Forgot about that! Thanks for reminding me.

Originally Posted by mdabb

To me that certainly speaks volumes !!! I don't think you can go wrong with Bryston either, classic !!!

Question, does the Bryston sound like Simaudio-or in other words, does it have a North American sound, you know what I mean?

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by rded

Oh yeah! Forgot about that! Thanks for reminding me.

Question, does the Bryston sound like Simaudio-or in other words, does it have a North American sound, you know what I mean?

I haven't listened to a Bryston in years, but if memory serves me correctly, I woud say that it delivers music with a certain oomph (you know there is lots of power there). The SimAudio is a bit more refined in my opinion, but also slightly more clinical (not as warm, maybe overly detailed?). At present, the SimAudio seems to be the darling of Canadian audio manufacturers.

John

[Opips2]

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

An integrated amp is usually stereo and consists of a preamp and stereo power amps. It consists of one less component than a stereo receiver that would include the tuner and one component more than true separates.

Rich

Funny world, A Electronic store has sell mostly receiver in build amp, HDMI, optical digital and analog connector. mutl-channel analog..etc

integrated amp is pure stereo but not have in 5.1 analog. (snap) more spend it elecronic preamp and receiver systems.

Why not save time and buy a intergrated amp with 5.1 analog and stereo???

[rded]

Originally Posted by John72953

I haven't listened to a Bryston in years, but if memory serves me correctly, I woud say that it delivers music with a certain oomph (you know there is lots of power there). The SimAudio is a bit more refined in my opinion, but also slightly more clinical (not as warm, maybe overly detailed?). At present, the SimAudio seems to be the darling of Canadian audio manufacturers.

John

Thanks John! As far as Simaudio is concerned, its just not my cup of tea. To my ears Simaudio focuses too much on the short comings of recordings and bloats certain frequencies esp with CDPs when upsampling vs digging into the music and what the rhythm should be. That's why it tends to be boring for me.From your observation the Bryston seems more musical than analytical.But does the Bryston make your toes tap? Does it have PRAT(pace rhythm and timing)?

Originally Posted by Opips2

Funny world, A Electronic store has sell mostly receiver in build amp, HDMI, optical digital and analog connector. mutl-channel analog..etc

integrated amp is pure stereo but not have in 5.1 analog. (snap) more spend it elecronic preamp and receiver systems.

Why not save time and buy a intergrated amp with 5.1 analog and stereo???

I get what you are shooting for. Unfortunately I don't know if there are 5 or 7 channel integrated amps.