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

[qdfb]

A shot of my recenlty acquired Consonance Calaf monster integrated amp in situ



Heck of a good amplifier, works a treat driving Spendor A9 speakers.

A recent cable change worked further unexpected wonders as to which I will post in the cable forum shortly.

[AudioNut]

Originally Posted by qdfb

A shot of my recenlty acquired Consonance Calaf monster integrated amp in situ



Heck of a good amplifier, works a treat driving Spendor A9 speakers.

A recent cable change worked further unexpected wonders as to which I will post in the cable forum shortly.

Gotta know more about that beautiful beast . . . If it is as good sounding as it looks it may take a/the prize.

Julian

[qdfb]

Julian

Sounds even better than it looks. First 40 watts pure class A. 200WPC.

I believe the US retail price is around $3,500. Sounds more like $7k in my opinion.

I paid £1,250.00 (that's UK pounds) as its was ex-dem and the box was damaged and the remote lost (but I have been promised a replacement by the dealer). The reason for all this sonic goodness being a reasonablke price is its made in China. If it was built in Europe or the US, you could double the price. But Opera-Consonance who make it are serious guys with a good pedigree.

It has replaced a very worthy Musical fidelity M6i, which was a great value amplifier from a repected company, but not in the same league as the Calaf based on my listening expereince. The Calaf has better bass and imaging. Its just a great product.

Mind you, its seriously heavy!

[Dj_AmTraX]

I got this one in the closet. I think it's great for the money.

[qdfb]

There is a used Denon PMA-2000 IVR for sale on Ebay, in reasonable condition. Good value given the quality on offer.

Quentin

[Josquin des Prez]

I'm using a Naim UnitiQute. I actually was going to get the Naim Nait XS, since I am almost entirely playing vinyl, but the UnitQute sounded better when I did a home A/B audition between the two.

However, I have since added a Naim NAP250.2 power amp, and am now considering selling the Qute and replacing it with an analog-only preamp, a Naim NAC202.

[AKA_Hyfi]

Originally Posted by jdandy

JimC.......Welcome to Audio Aficionado.

The VAC 160i looks good. It manages to squeez 86 watts per channel out of the four KT88's. Nice integrated.

The VAC gear is awesome. I sure wish I had the $$$ for one of these newer amps. What I do have is a CLA-1 MKII Pre-amp that I just properly retubed thanks to the personal help I got when I called them and talked to Kevin. Not until after my call did I realize he was the owner and he had just spent a half hour talking to me from a cold call.

As far as integrateds, I picked up a used Rotel 1052 that I picked up for $100 which I use to drive a pair of JM Labs Tantal 509s in the family room along with an OPPO93 doing double duty as a CDP for this secondary system and the HT setup in main room.

Using the VAC pre and a Counterpoint NPS-400 hybrid amp in main system. Great story as to how I came into those pcs of gear.

[joeinid]

That looks like a nice integrated

I love your Counterpoint. I had an SA-220 that I miss and enjoyed very much.

[AKA_Hyfi]

Originally Posted by joeinid

That looks like a nice integrated

I love your Counterpoint. I had an SA-220 that I miss and enjoyed very much.

I got the Counterpoint, VAC, a pair of Clearfield Continentals (early von Schwiekert when he worked for Counterpoint) 2 pair of Synergistic Research ICs and a pair of 14' Speaker cables for $300 in basically a garage sale.

The Counterpoint was not fully working and the VAC had 12ax7s in all 4 slots and sounded horrid. It cost me $200 to have the CP repaired and re-tubed by RHB SoundDezign (RHB SOUND DEZIGN HOME) and another $50 to retube the VAC. I just retubed it again with what VAC puts in their new units today and the sound is great. The Clearfields, tho lacking deep bass, have the best midrange detail and highs my room has ever heard. As much of a Dynaudio fan I am, I would buy VRs if I had the cash.

[Murrayb]

For my 2 channel system, I started off with a Musical Fidelity A5 about 4 years ago. Great sounding amp. This past fall I replaced it with a Pass Labs Int 150. It's a really great sounding integrated.