Contenders for Best Tube Integrated Amp? Only the best elements of tube sound!
- Thread starter caesar
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Sure, caesar. I demo'd the I35, not the DA88S (as lesser complicated amps usually sound better). The I35 definitely won't ever be mistaken for SS (thankfully)- in fact, i haven't heard KT120s ever sound as good. I listened to the unit on Spendor D7s, which I've only heard once before and don't have any real low end. My first thought after warm up was that you can listen to the I35 for days....soundstage and in particular instruments in space were very, very good. Ever hear "wiry" strings on a digital amp? This was the opposite (and correct I feel). Treble was "sweet", but not as extended as my Dart (nothing really is) but in character with the amp. The amp had excellent flow, but enough leading edge to provide the right microdynamics and overall sounded quite lively- i was surprised how it liked to boogie on electronica. Midrange had good tonal density, but didn't overdo it (ie. Cary). All in all, definitely one of the more musical demos I've heard and obviously the build quality is stunning. As far as comparisons to Jadis of old? All reports are that they are more objective, but clearly don't lose that bit of warmth.
Hi Keith, thanks for the interesting comments on the Jadis I35. I'm hoping to get to California to listen to the new I50 with KT150's in a few months (Brooks Berdan Audio). This amp sounded great at the Newport show, also with Spendor........did you happen to see/hear this one in passing? Have a feeling that it may be a real sleeper.
They offered (at Brooks Berdan), but I declined since KT150s aren't my kind of tube (no rolling). I did hear the demo at Newport and like you was very impressed.
Bonzo75, thank you for the link. It seems you liked not only the Animas but also the Diana. Were you able to compare it to other amps?
I just sprung for one of these, at the price it's probably not THE best but it's damn fine:
I have had intimate experience with this integrated and many others listed here. We will be at CES this year, but not with the Diana. You can still voice the best they have to offer to understand what the Diana can do
We've recently exhibited the flagship Kaiser Kaweros in Norway with the new Absolare Integrated and CH Precision digital front end. Rainer Weber of Kaiser Acoustics joined us during the weekend stating that he had never heard this level of performance out of the Kaweros. A truly amazing achievement by Kerem & co at Absolare.
/ Marcus
Full story here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.518014028356780.1073741846.175376815953838&type=3
/ Marcus
Full story here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.518014028356780.1073741846.175376815953838&type=3
This Absolare integrated is a real beauty.
I would like recommend - at least as a perfect match for Avantgarde Duo series - an integrated Ayon Crossfire made with a more powerful kind of 300 B . Ayon makes it in Czech Republic and call it A 62 B . They are declared 30 W and imo that is much better than standard 8 W from 300 B.
One cannot buy A62B outside of Ayon distribution network.
I have the third iteration of Crossfire , have heard many tube and ss amps in my setup and Ayon is for me still the best integrated.
I read at CA that CEO of Shunyata , Mr Caelin Gabriel uses Crossfire in his reference setup for files playback.
I would like recommend - at least as a perfect match for Avantgarde Duo series - an integrated Ayon Crossfire made with a more powerful kind of 300 B . Ayon makes it in Czech Republic and call it A 62 B . They are declared 30 W and imo that is much better than standard 8 W from 300 B.
One cannot buy A62B outside of Ayon distribution network.
I have the third iteration of Crossfire , have heard many tube and ss amps in my setup and Ayon is for me still the best integrated.
I read at CA that CEO of Shunyata , Mr Caelin Gabriel uses Crossfire in his reference setup for files playback.
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Hello Tim; I happened to listen the Ypsilon Phaethon vs the latest Viva Audio Solista and to my ears Solista won hands down.
The other 2 friends attending concurred with my findings. So does my friend Nick who bought it.
Never heard the Absolare integrated, while I've heard the Absoalre separates. For me there's nothing like true single ended and Viva is a champ on that playground.
Viva Audio Solista (latest edition mk3 or something) is a well kept secret in audio. Viva is an exotic brand with no such thing as public relations and magazines hype. But their sound shines.
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