Integrated amplifier suggestions

[Johnny nocash]

Good afternoon folks. I'm looking for amp suggestions to power my Living Voice IBX speakers.

I hope to get something for £1K or less ... 2nd hand.
It doesn't need to have a phono stage.
I would like to use the XLR outputs from my dac so balanced inputs would be preferred.
Valve or solid state considered but I don't want exposed tube designs.
Compatibility with LV's is key.

I have a nasty eBay dispute hanging over me at the moment so the budget could alter + or - depending on how it's resolved.

[Sherwood]

Have a look at the Nuprime range. I use their STA-9 amps in monoblock mode with Magneplanar 1.7s and I am very pleased with the result. They produce a valve like sound without the downsound of valve. One big plus for me is that they only consume 15w in standby.

[Johnny nocash]

Thanks Sherwood but I'm sticking to class a/b stuff & integrated.

[Bonky]

The owner of LVs recommends valve amps OR anything from the Sugden range - esp the older A21.

(I too have LVs)

[Pharos]

In 2002 I bought an ATC SIA150 Mk 1 for £800, award winning and excellent, and would drive 2 ohms.

[Mr. C]

As discussed before Richard with LV's either valves or a Lavardin integrated would suit the OBX's well

[ABCaudio]

There is a gent getting great results with one of Colin Wonfor's M-50 power amps into his LV. The similar EWA Claymore amp is only slightly over your budget new. http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0920/The_Claymore_Retro_Integrated_Stereo_Amplifier_Rev iew.htm

[Bonky]

Why not ask Paul Scott (the CEO of LV) to ask for his advice?

...But please let us know...

BW

Richard

[Johnny nocash]

Probably better off asking his brother Kevin, the owner of Definitive Audio:eek:
Seriously though Richard, he'd probably advise buying something from his extensive stock that would lead to a life time of poverty

[Bonky]

True!

I'd still be looking at a Sugden.

if you fancy building your own valve amp I'd recommend World Designs - http://www.world-designs.co.uk

I have one of them now and find it excellent.

[Johnny nocash]

I'm no amp builder Richard but I have been contemplating a Sugden.

Thanks to all for the contributions. I know there's debate about the benefits of using balanced but I would like to try as my dac is supposed to be better using them. Is there anything out there which would also gel with the LV's?

[hifinutt]

maybe this [ no xlr ]

https://www.audioemotion.co.uk/unison-research-unico-integrated-amplifier-with-phonostage-15052-p.asp

or

https://www.audioemotion.co.uk/unison-research-simply-two-integrated-amplifier-24170-p.asp

[AJSki2fly]

If you can find on pre-used I would try a vincent V234 class A, has XLR inputs, https://www.vincentshop.co.uk/SV-234.

I had my friends on loan while I waited for my Allnic and it was excellent, very transparent, with musical results, he sold it for £1100. They come up now and then, there is a SV238 on ebay but is it a little more.

[Flo]

Nelson path amps are worth a look, rare but have the definitive seal of approval.

[Johnny nocash]

Thanks again folks,

At the moment, Lavardin, Sugden lower powered & seem to be heading my list but don't have XLR inputs.

Unison research Unico do but it's their 100w model which is unnecessarily powerful.

ive been looking at the Vincent hybrids (sv-500 & 234) which seem to tick most boxes but I don't know much about them apart from what Adrian kindly posted.

So, any opinions about the Vincents or indeed any further suggestions are welcome.

oh ... remote control would be nice.

[Bourney]

Sugden a21a sounds 'right' with LVs. Way beyond it's cost.
Marantz pm4 of course.
Otherwise it is el34 amps that work with them in my experience. Nothing too dry. That bit of bounce that 34s have make LVs sound a bit more fruity.
Christ...I sound like Kevin! 'A round bumptious explosion of lower frequency juice'��

[Bourney]

Prima luna dialogue 2 but not with KT88s

[Johnny nocash]

Haha Steve, you do sound like him.
I'm trying to swerve exposed valve designs even with cages, but thanks anyway. I'm aware the Marantz goes well with LV's but I'm looking for something a bit more modern. The Sugden 21 is figuring highly ... If only it had balanced inputs.
Mind you, the XLR element might have to be removed.

I sent you a PM earlier in the week... Come on man.... Get to it��

[Bourney]

Oh...ive not seen that. Ill check. Sorry about that.

[Bourney]

Kevin once lent me a more modern a21 - the grey one and whilst it sounded ok with my IBX at the time, I thought the older slimline one sounded more to my taste. Less grip but more flowing.

[Bourney]

What was the enclosed el34 Canary inegrated that Kevin used to sell?

[Johnny nocash]

What was the enclosed el34 Canary inegrated that Kevin used to sell?

Yeh, I think you mean the 608. I used to own the dark blue version... I thought it was enormous at the time + big speaker terminals... Couldn't fit it on my rack!

[Flo]

Those canaries are superb, but rare and with the border patrol power supply big and ugly but magically musical.
I had a Suggy a21a that Kevin modified with new connectors and kondo internal cabling, bypassed balance and used tape direct In straight thru mode. Also sounded better with lid off. It was a boogy machine, as said earlier real bounce to the presentation. Kevs no 2 Peter? Uses\d a pair of heavily tweaked a21a power amps with a Lv valve pre, few years ago but must have sounded superb.