FS: Lavardin IT integrated amp

[Mike S]

Up for sale is my lovely lavardin IT. It is an early model with black knobs rather than the silver of later incarnations. Brilliant amp with a lovely liquid sound. To my ears this rivals top quality valve amplification without the hassle. It comes with the lavardin power chord. Cosmetically it has some wear to the top but nothing dreadful and you would have to do a close inspection. One of the speaker binding posts has a missing plastic screw connector but this won't affect you if you are using bullet plugs on your speaker cables. In fact I realised after a little head scratching that you can still use spades with it. I did in fact purchase a new speaker connection unit but have not installed it. I will include it with the sale.

I purchased this a few months ago to use as a backup amp. It has been used a little by me but I now need to raise some funds for a different project. Personal collection would be great from Stafford or possibly a meet up. I can also ship within the UK. I don't have the original box but it will be well packaged. Quite heavy and I imagine the cost with insurance will be between £30 and £50 but will do this at cost. £1750 plus carriage.

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4665/40048465722_2130fdb525_b.jpg

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4629/40048465592_b3a76f96cc_b.jpg

[Mike S]

There is one for sale on Hi-Fi for sale at the moment of a similar vintage for £2350 and this doesn’t appear to include a lavardin mains lead.

[Barry]

Would it be possible to have a photo to show the binding post in question?

The Lavardin IT amp is an amplifier I have been interested in for a while now, ever since I read a very good review of it in HFW (and I do prefer your early version with the black knobs). I would love to hear one, feeding electrostatic speakers. However I have eight power amps already, so will have to pass on this one.

Good luck with the sale.

[Mike S]

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4649/40114485681_85a2ed0a16_b.jpg

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4696/39215339035_d3a4764fd2_b.jpg

Actually the binding post looks worse that I thought now that I see it close up. It still works fine and I have a replacement unit which will be included. The knurled nut will still work to tighten a spade connection.

[Mike S]

A bit far away to come and have a listen Barry

[hifi ferret]

Excellent amp and bargain price - good luck with the sale.

[Mike S]

Thank you Mr Ferret. If anyone does fancy a listen you would be very welcome. It makes my 15” tannoy monitor golds sing.

[Infinitely Baffled]

You have a PM, Mike.
IB

[Bass Slap]

a bit late for this one!

Does anyone know the current hierarchy for Lavardin IT amps?

They seem very rare on the 2nd H market, what's the difference between IT x, IT15 and IT20 Please?

[Metlor]

On the lavardin website clicking on "amplifiers" pulls up the comprehensive list, bottom of page shows old vs newer versions.
The IT models were top of the intergrated, the IT x being the new version
IT 15 was a limited edition anniversary version, now superseded by the IT 20. The pricing will probably tell how this compares to the IT x.
��

[Bass Slap]

On the lavardin website clicking on "amplifiers" pulls up the comprehensive list, bottom of page shows old vs newer versions.
The IT models were top of the intergrated, the IT x being the new version
IT 15 was a limited edition anniversary version, now superseded by the IT 20. The pricing will probably tell how this compares to the IT x.
��

Ok Martin, cheers! perfect, here is the list........

Model IS (1998 to 2016) now ISx
Model IS Reference (2001 to 2016) now ISx reference
Model IT (1996 to 2016) now ITx
Model IT-15 (2011 to 2016) now ITx-20
Model C42 (2008 to 2015)
Model MAS and Model MAS Reference 100W reference monitoring power amplifiers for Rogers LS3/5A (1998 to 2003)
Model MI microphone preamplifiers (2002 to 2005)
Model PO Phono MC preamplifier (1999 to 2003)
Model PS line preamplifier (1998 to 2000)
Option Model AS (now A80) anodized red front face (1997 to 2003)
Option all Models black anodized knobs (1996 to 2008)

[Ward]

Your list is missing three models to my knowledge,
Model PE pre amp
Model AP power amp
Model MAP mono block power amps
I've owned the first two which were essentially an IT reference with an additional power supply and a couple of additional inputs.
HiFi+ did a review of the pre and mono blocks back in issue 7 if you are interested
Regards
Ward

[Bass Slap]

Your list is missing three models to my knowledge,
Model PE pre amp
Model AP power amp
Model MAP mono block power amps
I've owned the first two which were essentially an IT reference with an additional power supply and a couple of additional inputs.
HiFi+ did a review of the pre and mono blocks back in issue 7 if you are interested
Regards
Ward

Thanks, on the website it does mention some of pre/power seperates you've listed, but not all.

Lucky you! Did you get a chance to hear the difference between the IT integrated and the mono's at all?
What did you move on to if you no longer have Lavardin amps?

the following from http://www.lavardin.com/lavardin-gammeE.html

"Preamplifiers
Model C42
Certainly one of the best preamplifier around, the Model C42 is ideal to reveal the potential of vintage tube power amplifiers.
Model C62
The Model C62 is the necessary path for better sourd over our Model IT integrated amplifier. Used with Model AP150 or MAP, it is then possible to discover new layers and nuances in all kind of music.

Power amplifiers
Model A80
Mainly used in the professional field for high quality monitoring in digital recording and editing stations.
Model A80 Reference
State of the art monitoring amplifier.
Model AP150
To be used with Model C62 preamplifier.
Model MAP
The summit of our power amplifier range, the Model MAP system is based on a pair of completely separate units, each one dedicated to one channel. What else can be said... We know customers who build their new house around the Model MAP and Model C62 preamplifier..."

[walpurgis]

I see Gary expressed interest, if it sold, it might be an idea to say so.

Also, what happened with the photos? There are only rear views.

[Ward]

Hi Steve,
The original owner said that he had compared the pre and power combo with an IT and found that there was a noticeable improvement in all areas; I was lucky enough to have the loan of an IS reference to compare against the pair and when we swapped amplifiers over I genuinely wondered if the guy had connected the IS out of phase because the degree to which the sound stage opened up was truly incredible. When I sold them it was due to reliability concerns as they were an early pair and all of the major internal parts either had the details removed or where totally encapsulated and would require a complete replacement by Lavardin and as these predated the original designer's early death I had genuine concerns. At the time they were driving a pair of Quad ESL63s, but a house move allowed me to step up to the 2905s so decided to go all valves initially with tube technology pre and 100 watt el34 monos but later upgraded to EAR 509 mkIIs and a BAT VK5i preamp. A recent house move meant that the 2905s unfortunately had to be sold so I have progresses onto ATC active speakers now.
Regards Ward.


Thanks, on the website it does mention some of pre/power seperates you've listed, but not all.

Lucky you! Did you get a chance to hear the difference between the IT integrated and the mono's at all?
What did you move on to if you no longer have Lavardin amps?

the following from http://www.lavardin.com/lavardin-gammeE.html

"Preamplifiers
Model C42
Certainly one of the best preamplifier around, the Model C42 is ideal to reveal the potential of vintage tube power amplifiers.
Model C62
The Model C62 is the necessary path for better sourd over our Model IT integrated amplifier. Used with Model AP150 or MAP, it is then possible to discover new layers and nuances in all kind of music.

Power amplifiers
Model A80
Mainly used in the professional field for high quality monitoring in digital recording and editing stations.
Model A80 Reference
State of the art monitoring amplifier.
Model AP150
To be used with Model C62 preamplifier.
Model MAP
The summit of our power amplifier range, the Model MAP system is based on a pair of completely separate units, each one dedicated to one channel. What else can be said... We know customers who build their new house around the Model MAP and Model C62 preamplifier..."