Integrated Amp Recommendations [Archive]

Ninanina

04-02-2013, 20:08

As some may know I have been using "another" amp for a while. For personal reasons I wish to replace this

For some reason I've always liked integrated, while I appreciate that separate pre and power and/or mono blocks is the way to go I'd like to keep to an integrated

I have had so many amplifiers in the past but as my system has changed so much, particularly in finding my Royd Minstrels and loving them, different things will now suit

Can anyone recommend some integrated amps to me? The biggest requirement is it should be 'musical'. They do not have to have high output as the Royds are pretty easy to drive

I don't mind tube or ss, I've had lots of both and am happy with either

I would love, for a change, to buy new; Just be nice I think

Budget??? well no more than £1k for now

Thanks all for any help ;)

Bev

chelsea

04-02-2013, 20:12

Exposure x or xx / Naim 5 / onix /myst tm3

julesd68

04-02-2013, 20:24

I must admit I have rather fallen in love with Consonance gear - I own a cdp and a hybrid integrated from them. Just like the way they play music.

I notice that AA Acoustics have an "ex-review" KT-88 tube amp for £995 reduced from £1595 on ebay. This is how I got my R150 integrated from them and it arrived totally mint. The dealer, Ian, is one of the most helpful chaps I have come across in hi-fi land.

hoopsontoast

04-02-2013, 20:24

Denon PMA-2000AE can be had for ~£500 used, but the later PMA-2010ae and PMA-2020ae (current model) could be had maybe just under £1k ex-demo.
Other than that, a Sony TA-F770ES :P

Effem

04-02-2013, 20:28

daytona600

04-02-2013, 22:00

£1k croft integrated

Macca

04-02-2013, 22:22

XTZ Desire D3, my current amplifier!

Tremendous sound, extremely musical, powerful 50 watts of Class A joy and no shortage of inputs. Built-in DAC and phono stage for good measure :)

Buy direct from the manufacturer, money back if not entirely happy.

http://shop.xtz.se/bild-ljud/xtz/forstarkare/rubrik

Seconded. Less than £700 delivered it is crazy good for the money. Just spent six hours straight listening to CD only stopped because I have neighbours and it is getting late

And if you ever upgrade to some 'proper' speakers it will drive them as well ;)

Audioman

05-02-2013, 10:05

Seconded. Less than £700 delivered it is crazy good for the money. Just spent six hours straight listening to CD only stopped because I have neighbours and it is getting late

And if you ever upgrade to some 'proper' speakers it will drive them as well ;)

Looking at their email address am I right to assume they come from Sweden direct? It does appear uncannily inexpensive by today's inflated prices. Are the dac and phono stage any good and what level (models) are they comparable SQ wise?

Has anyone tried the CD player - spec suggests amazing value as well (also HDCD compatible)?

Paul.

Dingdong

05-02-2013, 10:12

I've only ever listened to an XTZ power amp. Amazing value for money.

hifi_dave

05-02-2013, 11:15

With a budget of £1K, I would suggest the very popular Brio-R with lots of money left over to buy music or a Croft Integrated.

hoopsontoast

05-02-2013, 11:50

I've only ever listened to an XTZ power amp. Amazing value for money.

I would second this, very good value for ~£500 new IIRC

Yomanze

05-02-2013, 12:06

Ah she wanted new...!

Macca

05-02-2013, 13:08

Looking at their email address am I right to assume they come from Sweden direct? It does appear uncannily inexpensive by today's inflated prices. Are the dac and phono stage any good and what level (models) are they comparable SQ wise?

Has anyone tried the CD player - spec suggests amazing value as well (also HDCD compatible)?

Paul.

Yes comes direct from the manufacturer in Sweden. They claim they keep costs down by mass manufacture, no advertising and by selling direct with no dealer or distributor. The DAC can't be faulted, the MM stage is quiet although I think I do prefer the all valve job in the Croft micro basic. Not tried the MC stage.

AlanB

05-02-2013, 18:50

The Primaluna Prologue Two in the ads now is a cracking amp and a tube roller's dream.

Ninanina

10-02-2013, 00:42

Ninanina

10-02-2013, 01:25

Has anyone heard this amp, Naim Nait XS

I normally am not a Naim lover but heard this amp at a dealer and was mightily impressed

Any thoughts on this amp?

Thanks

Bev

vouk

10-02-2013, 09:41

Has anyone heard this amp, Naim Nait XS

I normally am not a Naim lover but heard this amp at a dealer and was mightily impressed

Any thoughts on this amp?

Thanks

Bev

Hi Bev,
The XS has all the usual Naim qualities on tap - but, to my ears, "musical" is not exactly one of them. However, if you heard it and were indeed impressed, might be worth it; love them or hate them, Naim make real quality stuff.
The Prima Luna mentioned earlier is indeed a cracking amp - and should fit the bill. Never heard the Croft stuff but with so many glowing recommendations left, right and center they should be worthy of serious consideration.
And, for obvious reasons, I would wholeheartedly recommend the Audio Analogue Crescendo integrated. Musical and natural sounding amps are two things that Audio Analogue does very well. I think it's priced at c. 600 pounds and at that price, it's a very good amp indeed.
Good luck with your purchase and enjoy the ride in the meantime!! :cool:

trio leo

10-02-2013, 11:27

Hi Bev,

I recently heard a Lavardin integrated with an Astin Trew CDP and Tannoy stand mount speakers, it was a lovely sounding set up, the Lavardin drove the Tannoys really well.
I'm not quite sure of the price of the Lavardin, I think about £1,250:scratch:

might be worth a listen before you decide though.

enjoy your music

regards Al

Gromit

10-02-2013, 11:34

Hi Bev - what sort of presentation are you after? For £1k the world really is your oyster (especially used) from new the choice is obviously slightly more limited. As John (vouk) says, if you like the XS then I dare you may prefer to be more 'front row' than back in the stalls?

Exposure 2010s2 could be another alternative - you may even get a good used 3010s2 for tha sort of money. Not short on oomph either. :)

I hear good things about the latest Yamahas too - A-S1000 especially.

Have fun choosing. :)

Ninanina

10-02-2013, 21:44

To be fair when I choose an amp (or any other piece of equipment) I don't try to pigeon hole it ie. back row, front row or fast, slow etc etc, I just know whether I like the sound or not

I was sooooo against anything Naim made but the XS I heard was very good indeed, and 'musical' is the overriding thought I had when listening to it. Foot tapping was easy with this amp

Maybe I will demo at home to see if it agrees and gets on with the rest of the system :)

DSJR

10-02-2013, 21:47

I tried a Croft integrated on lone from the lovely man himself but found it a bit flat and not involving in my system which was a shame as I really wanted to love this amp

But Glenn Croft is a real gentleman and I don't want to say anything against him. Only that it wasn't for me at the time

He is a superb person to deal with though

Bev

Glenn has to make up his mind - does he sell direct to customers now, or does he support his dealers, chosen as long standing friends of his, to look after sales of his range????? Yes he is a lovely chap, but still......

chelsea

10-02-2013, 21:47

Do make sure you don't side grade or even go backwards from the nva.

Home demo if possible is the best way.

julesd68

10-02-2013, 22:46

Glenn has to make up his mind - does he sell direct to customers now, or does he support his dealers, chosen as long standing friends of his, to look after sales of his range?????

I have certainly heard of this happening with at least two other manufacuturers (who normally sell through dealers) selling "direct" to customers who have got in touch with them directly ...

Yomanze

10-02-2013, 23:02

Yes there are several UK cottage manufacturers that'll do the same, so I don't really see why Glenn Croft needs to make his mind up? :scratch:

synsei

10-02-2013, 23:48

I think it is a nice touch myself. Having the owner of the company deal with me personally would certainly help seal the deal if the product did it for me.

wiicrackpot

11-02-2013, 06:35

Do make sure you don't side grade or even go backwards from the nva.
Mirrors my thought, just a shame it turned sour for Bev with NVA, was sorely tempted by her ad's in the classifieds,
had it from good source long ago they're a class act.

Me i'd hold out for a Supernait, starting to come into range due to my Nait 2 hitting stupid prices and Supernait prices tumbling to within reach,
i am not saying it'll have the same qualities as the Nait 2 but it's appealing piece of kit, so if can stretch budget to the Karan suggested,
i am quite sure with the current economic condition, some private sellers might just let one go at around 1.3k.i know Bev said 1k but it looks like her budget is flexible.

Like Bev i never thought i'd like the house sound but i listened with an open mind and found it so satisfying, when i listen to it i don't analyse, just music. :cool:

kenworthy100

11-02-2013, 08:03

Glenn has to make up his mind - does he sell direct to customers now, or does he support his dealers, chosen as long standing friends of his, to look after sales of his range????? Yes he is a lovely chap, but still......

Dave, I don't understand why you feel Glenn would need to make such a decision, could you please explain a little further

DSJR

11-02-2013, 12:43

No :)

Clive

11-02-2013, 13:17

I expect the issue is one of margin and pricing. Ideally products will have consistent pricing, preferably worldwide. To achieve this you have to add in margin for local dealers. Larger operations will need to build in margin for international distributors too, probably not needed in Glenn's case.

If a cottage industry sells direct and via dealers, do they charge the same price to all customers or do the direct customers get a nice discount (possibly on the quiet so as not to pee off the dealers), ie most of all of the dealer margin?

Dealers of course provide services, demo, advice and warranty returns etc so they should be earning their margin. But in the end you usually need to decide, direct sales or channel (dealers).

Audio Al

11-02-2013, 13:25

Have you looked at Croft amps ?

http://www.croftacoustics.co.uk/main.html

;)

Opps ! I see they have already been mentioned

hifi_dave

11-02-2013, 13:29

http://http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t406/hifi_dave/009-1.jpg

Like these..:scratch:

Rare Bird

11-02-2013, 13:31

Have you got any free Croft 'RIAA' for AOS members with no money? :D

hifi_dave

11-02-2013, 13:35

Funny you should say that but..

NO

Canetoad

11-02-2013, 13:58

How can I get a set of knobs like that for my Croft Micro 25 pre? :scratch:

Mine are the plain round ones.

hifi_dave

11-02-2013, 14:10

Maplin or RS I believe. You will have to cut the shafts down to suit.

Rare Bird

11-02-2013, 14:21

Funny you should say that but..

NO

:rfl:

That's a NO then

hifi_dave

11-02-2013, 14:28

Yes, it's a NO

Macca

11-02-2013, 14:37

Andre - maybe there is some sort of pound or rescue centre that takes in valve phono stages that have been abandoned by their owners? You may have to make a donation though.

Rare Bird

11-02-2013, 14:40

:lolsign: Suppose i'll have to make do with my aged Transistor socket :(

Yomanze

12-02-2013, 19:25

I did delete an earlier post as the OP was looking for new recommendations, £1k second-hand gets you an awful lot of amp, and I'd hesitate buying new within this price range. I did see an LFD Mistral Silver Signature going for £750-odd a while back, which shares a lot of the musicality of NVA, but with (even) less grain and a more 3D soundstage.