Integrated Amps - Moving on up!

I think we used to call that a tape monitor. It's only useful if you have a 3-head tape deck. If so, the function of the tape monitor is too allow you to listen to the actual tape from the play head while you record, as opposed to just the source. Maybe I don't understand what you are trying to do. I'm not sure what a "onetime connection" is either. Most recievers and preamps have tape out jacks and tape in jacks in back. That's all you need to both record to and play from the tape deck.

 

The Yamaha's, even the least expensive ones, are more capable than their specs suggest. If I had to guess, I'd say their power is underrated by at least 20%.

Their less expensive models are rated with a higher damping factor for some reason. I think if you auditioned one, back to back against some others, you'd find that the A-S801 can easily compete in the <$2K range.

Though, I could imagine why some would feel these amps don't gel with their speakers. They're quite neutral, so if you're system needs warmth, look elsewhere. If you want realistic strings and piano tones, the Yamahas are an easy recommendation.

 

I think you said it all when you said " to my ears " but to everyone else's there's a big difference.
May I suggest a good dewaxing ?

 

Yeah but you'll be listening to the new amp at the same volume you've been listening to with your current amp right? So the extra watts would be of no benefit.

 

Ha. That is the subject of a thread I started a couple of weeks ago. The opinions varied quite a lot on that one too.

 

Not so; The extra headroom will make a tremendous difference in sound quality.

 

Most new integrated's no longer have tape in and tape out jacks. While I have vintage receivers, I have no plan to get a new one ...

 

My Cambridge 351A has tape out jacks. Useful feature if you have a tape deck. Not sure about the current models or their higher end models.

 

Or close to 50 either.
The Ayre integrateds are as good as it gets.

 

Same here, but replace ¨exactly the same¨for ¨alike¨please.

 

Lord yes

 

To me class d sounds different than a/b for sure. And so far not to my liking. Yet

 

It is also about 20 lbs vs. 60 lbs for a 200 watts/ch amp ...

 

My Goldring GR1 TT is made by Rega and yes, it's made in the UK. A couple of weeks ago I went to the only real HiFi shop in my area, where I bought my Goldring TT, and had a look at a Goldring TT and it was still made in the UK so one can asume Rega TT are made in the UK.

 

I was of this school - and for decades - as well, but have gone through three gear changes over the last ten years that completely changed my mind. Went from an NAD(pre)/Carver(amp) to NAD integrated to, finally a Tandberg integrated. All solid state, but sounded radically different. The NAD/Carver combo always sounded confined, as though it wanted to be turned up - never really sang. The NAD integrated sounded very clinical, super dry. Wasn't until the Tandberg that I felt I had amplification that really sounded good.

Also went from a misc 70s SS receiver to a Quad pre/power setup for my second system and that too was a revelation.

 

Not a stereo amp but my Pioneer SC LX76 Elite A/V receiver uses Pioneer's propietary Class D amplification and in Stereo Mode and Analog Direct sounds outstanding, very musical and plenty of muscle for great dinamics. I use to be rather conservative regarding new or not very well tested technologies but I must Pioneer's Class D amplification surprised me for good.

 

the Elex-r does have tape outs.

 

I am still using a thirty-some year old Tandberg amp on a regular basis ...

 

Tandberg was best known for their tape decks, but their amps were fabulous too, so beefy and solid. Have you had a re-cap? I have an similarly old CJ power I'm debating about recapping.

 

Blue Circle. Dartzeel. Crimson.

 

I also have a Tandberg open-reel deck and an impaired cassette deck.

My CJ amp is about ten years old. I would prefer not having to send the amp down to Fairfax, VA for service but do not know of any tried and true audio repair shop in CT. My CJ amp has a low but noticeable hum when it is powered on. It has been this way since day one and appears to be a typical problem for the older CJ amp. Not sure if this is still a problem with the more recent offering ...

 

I have not heard Crimson but no to the first two.

Th problem is that in every case when I listen to a SS amplifier at a given price point say $5000 - there is a tube or SET amplifier for $say $1500-$2500 that IMO sounds better. So I struggle to see why I should spend double or triple or more (at higher SS price points) that sound no better and usually a lot worse. When I have really liked SS amplifiers they tend to cost 1/4 of a million dollars.

To be fair to Dartzeel and Blue Circle and indeed several other SS amplifiers I have heard them with speakers that I wouldn't touch with 50 foot poles so it may not specifically be the amplifiers I have issue with. If the SS amp is pure class A and runs single ended and uses low/no feedback then it has a shot. If it is class A/B with 1000 damping factor (or class D) - I'll probably hate it.

 

How far has this thread strayed from the O.P original post/question.

Not an easy answer. I guess it really comes down to what your definition, or goal of HiFi is.

On one hand, the “affordable” brands should have the advantage in offering the same or better performance per dollar. Historically they used to achieve this by trickling down the technologies from their reference lines (R&D) and then apply the economies of scale to them. Helped by already established distribution channels and established brand name.

Lately, greed, or if you want to call it an economic reality caused many to either cut their R&D budgets or focus on repackaging (re branding) cheap low cost designs.

To offset for this, the focus is put on chasing the ‘lifestyle’ credibility by adding more features and also by colouring the sound to be pleasing instead of being accurate. Solid state amps that add colouring, warmth or richness of timbre are not hi-fi for me.

These days, it seems that there’s a better chance of getting a better amp out of smaller more specialised brands that mostly focus on just one thing. Getting the best possible accuracy out of recorded music per dollar, and it doesn’t (have to) cost 2-3 times more than the heavily commoditised piles of Yammys and Marantzes.


Cheers

 

Hum is not typical..I've owned several CJ power amps and preamps -- no hum in any of them, old or new. You have Spearit Sound in Northampton -- they might be able to suggest something.

 

The Marantz equipment I have heard is quite musical. It's heavily advertised, but so is Pass.