Need recomendations: A truly great amp (integrated or power) under $10K - Page 2

Stereophile's 2011 Components of the year. Does anything stand out? Maybe the NAD intergrated amp at $380.


Amplification Component of the Year

Classé CT-M600 & CA-M600 monoblock amplifiers ($13,000/pair, CT-M600; $14,000/pair)

Runners-Up:

Ayre Acoustics K-5xeMP line preamplifier ($3500)
Musical Fidelity AMS100 power amplifier ($19,999)
NAD C 316BEE integrated amplifier ($379)
Parasound Halo JC 3 phono preamplifier ($2350)
PrimaLuna DiaLogue Three line preamplifier ($2599)
Soulution 710 power amplifier ($45,000; reviewed by Michael Fremer,)
VTL MB-450 Series III Signature monoblock amplifier ($18,000)

Considering that almost without exception every component stereophool review makes their 'recommended' list, it doesn't have any value.

He love you long time G.I. Joe

Get a pair of Emotiva XPA-1 Fully Differential Monoblocks for $2K. These are balanced amps from front to back. They are most likely a copy of a really expensive amp from some other manufacturer (or is it the other way around?)

I have the Audio Research LS-26 preamp and a Bryston 3B-SST amplifier, and it is sound to die for. That's about $10k.

I guess the current AR model is LS-27.

However; I digress...that is not integrated.

For $7000...drum-roll...I think you should consider the Audio Research VS115!

It has 120W per channel and even has balanced inputs for that Ayre SACD player. It is one sweet-sounding amplifier.

That will float your boat in style. Some AR dealers may even discount it a bit if you ask sweetly.

Another very nice integrated amp is the Bryston B100-SST, at $4500.

Another excellent one is the Musical Fidelity M6, for only $3000.

You can get Melody PM845's for under $8k

heres my 2 cent opinion, i would look into the krell amps, in my opinion they are the best amps out there .someone on audiogon has a krell fbi for sale in your price range.i heard this beauty a few years ago at an audio show in vegas.me and about 15 other people just stood in awe. ive heard alot of different krell amps in my lifetime and just love to own one.but first i have to hit the lottery. just my 2 cents

@wooferus...

dadgum... those are downright sexy... i'm not an "amp guy", but i wouldn't mind having a pair of those...

Why not a McIntosh integrated?? ..I just bought a new MA6600 Integrated and I could not be happier. ..Though I can't attest that it sounds better than the NAD C375BEE and Bryston gear it replaces (I tend to think all modern amps sound pretty much the same) I CAN tell you that the look, build quality, and operational feel of the Mac is unlike anything I've ever owned. ..Though it came with a remote, I find myself eager to get out of my seat to operate the unit directly. ...This was a purchase that I pined over for 10 years! I couldn't be happier. ..Yes, I know there are Mac detractors out there, but I can't find fault with it. ..With volume at full gain, and the cd player paused, it is whisper quiet without a hint of signal bleed from other sources, etc.. I'm having a walnut case built for it so it which will make it attractive enough to sit on a credenza rather than be banished to the inside of cabinet where most of my gear historically has been located.

Yes, they are very pretty indeed!

^^^

they sure are... as noted, i'm not an amp guy, but i appreciate nice looking stuff...

otoh, i AM an "amp guts" guy... so thanks for posting the pic of the guts as well...

If I had 10k to burn on an amp, Id buy the Krell Evolution 302e in a heart beat.

McIntosh 275 tube power amp.

I spent 30 years trying everything under the sun until I wore out the patience of four or 5 dealers who got tired of loaning me equipment to audition.

Over the years I have had the Harmon-Kardon Citation preamps and power amplifiers, Audire amplifiers, various Audio Research preamps, and a few other goodies in second systems also, at a second home.

I finally arrived at what I have, and think it is as good as it gets. I have the Audio Research LS-26 preamp (current model is LS-27; essentially the same) and the Bryston 3B-SST amplifier.

Consider it recommended!

If you want an all-tube integrated, I would suggest that there are few things that sound as good as the Audio Research VSi60 integrated for $5000, or the HD-220, which has tubes up to the power output and solid-state output stage.

The VSi60 is 60 watts per channel, but for any speakers that are reasonably efficient that is plenty, especially if you use a subwoofer. I would probably buy it if I didn't have what I already have.

How do you audition gear?

I'm a huge BAT fan.

I wrote a long description for you on another thread a couple of days ago when you asked me that; now if I could just remember where it was...rofl.

OK...I found it...post #31 of the "I can hear..." thread

Right there with you! I will vote a Krell FBI or a McIntosh MA6900...These are solid state amps at their powerful best! Suave with tons of slam!