Buying a new Integrated; Audio Research, McIntosh or Pass Labs?

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by Blair G., Oct 25, 2012.

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  1. Blair G.

    Blair G. Senior Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Delta, BC, Canada
    After years of fence sitting I'm almost ready to take the plunge.
    Despite being intrigued by tubes, I'm leaning towards SS and these are my top 3 (for now) :

    Audio Research DSi200
    Basic which is good, pre-amp section is passive, but the idea of a Class D amp scares me just a bit.

    McIntosh MA-6600
    A bit busier looking, probably a few features/connections I don't need but it does have a phono section.

    Pass Labs INT-150
    Read nothing but good things about this brute. Would prefer it be available in black but that's a very minor detail.
    Not able to audition, would need to buy then ship back if not suitable.

    Any opinions or perhaps other integrateds I should be considering in this range? (Like maybe the Bryston B135 SST2)
     
  2. rbbert

    rbbert Forum Resident

    Location:
    Reno, NV, USA
    I love my Pass INT-150. Reno HiFi (largest Pass dealer around) has a demo; you should call for the price. Probably has a full warranty for about 2/3 of MSRP.
     
  3. vintage_tube

    vintage_tube Enjoying Life & Music

    Location:
    East Coast
    Blair,

    Just curious as not mentioned, would you be using your KEF's or something else?

    Best

    Bob
     
  4. Wasatch

    Wasatch Music Lover!

    You can't go wrong with any of them. I would lean more towards the tubes though.
     
  5. Blair G.

    Blair G. Senior Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Delta, BC, Canada
    Good question.

    They are in like new condition and most dealers I've spoken to think I ought to keep them. The McIntosh dealer actually runs a similar mode (107's) with Mc gear and loves it.
    So I'm leaning towards keeping them for now.
     
  6. Blair G.

    Blair G. Senior Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Delta, BC, Canada
    Yes, it's Mark I would be dealing with if I go that route.

    Despite being way up here in Canada, believe it or not at nearly 900 miles away he is the closest dealer.
     
  7. motorcitydave

    motorcitydave Enlightened Rogue In Memoriam

    Location:
    Las Vegas, NV, USA
    Is the Pass Labs Class-A? I would say go for that.
     
  8. LeeS

    LeeS Music Fan

    Location:
    Atlanta
    Blair,

    Why not a tube integrated from ARC?
     
  9. ElizabethH

    ElizabethH Forum Resident

    Location:
    SE Wisconsin,USA
    The MAC is no where near the class of the others. MAC is mainstream stuff, with great build quality and good resale value.
    So if you plan on it being a 'showpiece' or plan on selling it in a few years.. go MAC.
    Other wise the Pass or ARC would be better choices.
    I myself use Bryston gear.
    If you can afford the Pass, go for it.
     
  10. vintage_tube

    vintage_tube Enjoying Life & Music

    Location:
    East Coast
    IMO and having heard the McIntosh MA6600, known friends who had both (the MA6600 and MA6900) and others who have the MA7000 but you're not asking about the MA7000 -- so, I'll keep my post to the MA6600/MA6900.

    The LED lit & newer model, MA6600 is the clear winner of the two & becomes a receiver with the addition of a tuner module.

    The MA6900 has been discontinued BTW.

    My dealer also sells Bryston and IMO when I listened to the integrated he had at the time, IMO it wasn't as revealing as the MA6600 but the soundstage and depth was similiar.

    Haven't heard the Pass nor ARC.

    Best

    Bob

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  11. motorcitydave

    motorcitydave Enlightened Rogue In Memoriam

    Location:
    Las Vegas, NV, USA
    Bryston has updated their larger integrated amp.
     
  12. Blair G.

    Blair G. Senior Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Delta, BC, Canada
    I'm being told by "experts" that my speakers need lots of power, more than I'm giving them now, and SS would be a better option.
    I know the old Apt power/pre combo I used drove my KEFs with more authority than my Arcam.

    It's hard when you can't audition at home.
    Pass Labs dealer is the Reno, ARC is Seattle, McIntosh is local plus Bellingham, WA
     
  13. ncblue

    ncblue Well-Known Member

    Location:
    OBX, NC USA
    Naim Supernait. Not on your list I know, but I highly recommend an audition!
     
  14. Blair G.

    Blair G. Senior Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Delta, BC, Canada
    I'm being told by "experts" that my speakers need lots of power, more than I'm giving them now, and SS would be a better option.
    I know the old Apt power/pre combo I used drove my KEFs with more authority than my Arcam.

    It's hard when you can't audition at home.
    Pass Labs dealer is the Reno, ARC is Seattle, McIntosh is local plus Bellingham, WA

    motorcitydave is right, Brystons BP-100 is now the BP-135. Phono stage option is appealing, not interested in the DAC option at this time.
    By the time you add the phono and remote it's in the same $$ range: 6K give or take.
    Do dealers typically discount these brands or am I looking at full price?
     
  15. motorcitydave

    motorcitydave Enlightened Rogue In Memoriam

    Location:
    Las Vegas, NV, USA
    I believe the most you can get off of new is 20 percent. I may be wrong.
     
  16. David.m

    David.m Forum Resident

    Location:
    Sydney, Australia
    ASR Emitter are outstanding amps, though depending on model they are between 2 & 4 boxes (pwr supplies). Downside is the US prices seem to have a rather large mark-up (importer I guess), might be different in Canada.
     
  17. HiFiGuy528

    HiFiGuy528 Formerly Dj_AmTraX

    Location:
    Bay Area
    I love those McMeters. I may be biased.

    [​IMG]
     
    russk likes this.
  18. TarnishedEars

    TarnishedEars Forum Resident

    Location:
    The Seattle area
    Why are you so commited to the idea of an integrated amp? Why not separates? Frankly the best bang for your buck IMO is a really good sounding tube preamp coupled with a good sounding SS amp. You can get the best aspects of both worlds by doing this.
     
  19. Alan2

    Alan2 Forum Resident

    Location:
    UK
    HAve you heard one? I might have gotten it if it had appeard a couple of years earlier, but I ended up with something else. I've a lot of respect for Naim stuff.
     
  20. Chris C

    Chris C Music was my first love and it will be my last!

    Location:
    Ohio
    That was what I did earlier this year and I'm loving it...

    McIntosh
    C2300 Tube Preamp
    MC 452 SS Quad Balanced Amo
     

    Attached Files:

  21. Baron Von Talbot

    Baron Von Talbot Well-Known Member

    The PASS is the best on that list imo.
     
  22. hifisoup

    hifisoup @hearmoremusic on Instagram

    Location:
    USA
    All good choices. You may also consider the integrateds from Peachtree Audio. Excellent value with tube front end and SS amp section. You'd need to add a phono preamp for vinyl playback. I love my Nova and MusicBox.
     
  23. chosenhandle

    chosenhandle Forum Resident

    Location:
    Minneapolis
    Since we're talking meters, try to at least listen to a Luxman. Outstanding sound, includes both a phono stage and a headphone amp.

    **Dealer alert**
     
  24. motorcitydave

    motorcitydave Enlightened Rogue In Memoriam

    Location:
    Las Vegas, NV, USA
    Luxman is good, so is Accuphase. :cool:
     
  25. motorcitydave

    motorcitydave Enlightened Rogue In Memoriam

    Location:
    Las Vegas, NV, USA
    Very cool. :cool:
     
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