What Integrated Amps Are You Using (or what have you tried?)
 

Since we have really not had a place to extoll the virtues of integrated amps, or to show off our stuff, I think it would be nice to tell what integrated amps we are currently using or have used in the (not so distant) past.

I currently am using a McIntosh MA-7000, and in the past couple of years I owned and used a Rowland Continuum 500, SimAudio I-7, Rowland Concerto, GamuT Audio DI-150, and a McIntosh MA6900.

All had strengths and weaknesses, but I'm very happy with the MA7000.

.http://www.hdm81.fr/uploaded/images/...c%20intosh.jpg

I have, or have owned the following Mac's:

MA6500
MA6600
MA6900
MA7000

I have liked them all. :yes:

It's a beauty!:yes:

My first entry into the high-end was some 6-7 yrs ago with a Musical Fidelity A5 integrated amp and I also got the A5 CD player as well.

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/m...y/hero_duo.jpg

MA6850 - very nice. I should of held on to it.:scratch2:

Bel Canto S300iu

http://www.ttvjaudio.com/ttvjimages/...ted3000c5i.jpg

http://www.rotel.com/images/managed/...1062_front.jpg

Home Theater System Surround Sound Amplifier DVD Player - Rotel PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

My first integrated amplifier was a McIntosh MA230. It had a solid state preamplifier and a 30 w/p/c/ tube power amp. It was a sweet piece of gear that I enjoyed for years.

I now have a McIntosh MA5100 solid state integrated amp in my vintage system with a MR74 tuner. The MA5100 sounds great driving my JBL 4312A's.


McIntosh MA-230
http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/image...8480&is_user=0


McIntosh MA5100
http://pic6.audiogon.com/i/c/f/1297930510.jpg

Thanks, (the MA7000) sounds good too. . . . :yeeea:

I've had several integrated amps. When I finally upgraded to McIntosh, I first decided to buy an MA6500 to see if I would enjoy McIntosh sound and I sure did. There are many great integrateds out there... :thumbsup:

I LOVE INTEGRATEDS!!!

They just make sense to me.

I have a 47 Labs 4717 integrated in my bedroom driving PMC TB2i's

http://www.sakurasystems.com/graphics/pr4717ok.jpg

and a Yamaha in my office... driving JBL 4301b's

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/t...g?t=1299370438

AND, I had, and REALLY enjoyed the Audio Note OTO SE EL-84 based Integrated.

I would love to try the little Shindo Appetite integrated...

http://www.axissaudio.com/images/photos/E408Photo.jpg
http://www.audiovision.dk/Accuphase/...DP-55V-750.jpg

In one of my rigs I'm currently using a Wyred 4 Sound STI-500 with WBT binding posts and RCAs.

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/9114/stpfrontblk.jpg

It may not be the fanciest looking piece of equipment, but I love the sound. Effortless dynamics, great soundstaging/imaging, extremely low noise floor(silent while running).


http://face.cleanandquiet.com/store/Stingray.jpg

I previously owned a Manley Stingray. I also found this to be a nice sounding piece of gear, especially in triode mode with Mullards in the preamp section. Unfortunately, it didn't have enough juice to power my current speakers, so it had to go. Fortunately, a friend purchased it, so I may own it again one day.

Lastly, I purchased a Cambridge 540C for my girlfriend a little over a year ago.

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/8...111120540a.jpg

It's a fantastic little integrated for the money.

The Bryston B-60R was my first piece of gear to make me realize that I wasn't hearing everything on my CDs. It introduced me to the world of quality equipment, and I still enjoy it in my office system.

http://www.bryston.com/images/b60rt.jpg

My second integrated was the Simaudio i-7 which I love in my two channel setup.

http://www.simaudio.com/images/lg_mooni7.jpg

MA6600. Very good amp. I got the tuner so I should say very good RECEIVER.

I have always had an integrated, just don't have the room for separates.

Also have the Marantz 1060 and Pioneer SA9500. Here are my favorites.

Robert...I lived with the Sim i-7 for 1 week via an in-home demo and I loved that integrated! it rocks :thumbsup:

I am currently using the McIntosh MA2275 tube integrated amp. I am very happy with it. Space was the real issue why I decided to go with an integrated, If I had more room I would have went separates.

Joe

I had and still have an Arcam AVR250 receiver, not sure if this counts as an integrated amp.

Hey Ivan, we need a receiver forum too now :D

That is a very good idea.

Joe

:sorry-3:

JP: How does the 6900 compare to the 7000 ?

My first integrated was a Marantz and later the MA7000.

:no:

Just curios, why do you not like the idea?

Joe

Tom, I sold the MA6900 about two years before I bought the 7000, I used it with different speakers, in different locations, with different associated equipment so any definitive answer to your question would, at best, be a guess.

I recall that I liked the 6900, I thought it was very transparent and sound staged very well.

I've been told that the bass response from the 7000 is superior to that of the 6900, and that the 7000 is prettier with its handles, but, Friend Tom, in answer to your question. . . . I don't have a clue.

JP: Colleen always tells me I'm clueless !!! :laughin:
Stay well my friend

I am using the Conrad Johnson CA200 and its one of the best amps I have had the pleasure of owning. I also tried the Lyngdorf TDAI2200 which is a superb amp but ended up buying their preamp with room correction to connect to my existing power amps.

The CA200 is super detailed, transparent and unless you have a very large room it can drive most speakers. Certainly does a great job with my SF Amati's.

http://www.spearitsound.com/cj/cj_images/ca200.jpg

I’ve had a few through the years, plus some separates.
-Kenwood KA-8100?? (had a nice 4 band eq), 1972
-Yamaha CA-810, 1976
-AudioNote P2-SE Signature, 1993
-Aranov Audio 960i, 1999
-Naim Nait3.... a real POS, 2000
-Audiomat Arpege, Prelude Ref and Solfege Ref. 2001 Outstanding amps. I reviewed the Arpege for SoundStage! and gave it a Reviewer’s Choice Award. Too bad the importer is difficult to work with. Can’t get many dealers.
-Vecteur I4 and I6. Good gear, but same importer as Audiomat. Same problems,too.
-McIntosh MA6200, 2007
-Leben 300xs, 2008
-McIntosh MA6300- my current amp after re-entering this cursed hobby. Will be getting Mc separates soon.

I'm getting one of these (Manley Stingray II) to play with until something a little bigger arrives:music:

I really enjoyed the original Stingray, have fun!

Thanks Mike. It should be fun to play with. I'm sure I'll have enough power. I'm dying to try triode mode.

I rolled in a pair of Mullard CV4024's and it made a significant difference in my Gen I Stingray. I also preferred triode mode too.

Joe..congrats on the Stingray II.

Thanks Cyril,

I could not pass on the deal and I have a few irons in the fire. We'll see what else pops up. The Stingray II should be a fun little amp and I think my speakers will take well to it. Plus I plan on using my subs with it and filtering out the low frequencies so the 40 ultralinear and 20 triode watts should be fine. I hope to see it in less than 2 weeks.

Joe

McIntosh MA6600 now in the house. Love it.

Congratulations! Great choice! Wish you many years of happy listening with your new Mc.

Julian

Congratulations on a fine choice kfr01. :thumbsup:

Harold:

Thanks, and I can now see how one could only want more of this glorious sound.

I'm finding myself listening at higher volumes than normal, because the McIntosh handles higher volumes so gracefully.

God, I'm hooked. :)

I currently have two; a MA 2275 and a MA 6300. Love them both. The MA 2275 replaced a Krell S-300i. The MA 2275 resides in our dining room and drives a pair of ProAc D-18's. The MA6300 is in my office used with my iMac to drive a pair of ProAc Tablette Reference 8 speakers via a PS Audio Digital Link 3.