Integrated Amps - Moving on up!

This reinforces my idea that in the future I am just going to buy the best Redbook player I can afford. Also I don't like the additional noise of the SACD transport.

 

I've never had any addition noise from a SACD transport,what type are you using?

 

I had 2 SA11's that had continual transport problems ( laser transverse )both were purchased new from a dealer.
The dealer was very helpful taking the first back after 3 problems and giving me another. When the second one started to have the same problems it was time to move on.
The sound was decent and I liked the operational aspect of the machines.

 

I have three SA-11S3 that never have issues, and none of my other Marantz SACD/CD players ever miss a beat. This includes SA-KI-Pearl, SA-15S2, SA-14S1 and Sa-8005. I did have two defective McIntosh MCD-201 players, but dealer made sure third one worked fine before shipping.

 

I've strangely found that the people who can best judge whether a more expensive amplifier is "worth it" are my non-audio enthusiast (read: openly hostile to anything "new" arriving) family members. I normally sneak components in without anyone noticing: one black box is the same as another (once I'm careful not to make things look like they're multiplying).

Unfortunately for me I recently upgraded to a new integrated that I couldn't possibly hide. "What is that?" This was quickly followed up by the inevitable: "That looks extremely expensive!" Now, by this time, everyone had assembled eager to hear the expensive item to justify further castigation of my frivolous money spending (my money, btw). I powered up the amp while silently chanting a Hail Mary and praying that the amp wouldn't sound like a turd. I fired up a family favourite and, goodness gracious me, nothing prepared us for that incredulous sound event. Jaws hit floor. Salvation.

And the moral of this story is: Thank God amplifiers do not all sound alike.

 

Please upload the video.

 

Can we go back to this thread topic?

 

I like the sound of my current system pretty much. I do notice that when the music gets complicated/busy, with The New Pornographers for example, the sound can get a little muddled. Resolving detail in a very busy piece of music involves a lot more than just the amp but since I recently got new speakers it seems like a logical time to think about an amp.

Thanks to all for continuing to keep this thread active and informative.

 

I suggest the OP fill out his Profile page with the gear he has and maybe the gear he wants. From the above post, it sounds {} like a new amp may not be the only thing to look at. What speakers did you get? Have you spent some time finding the best location(s) in your room for them? Muddled sound (music) is often the caused by room issues not amplification unless at levels beyond the amps ability. The Rabbit Hole is wide and deep bring a change of cloths.

 

THIS THIS THIS THIS.

 

How about this Pass integrated INT-150?

 

Rear panel of Yamaha A-S801 integrated showing the two tape loops ...

 

At current exchange rates some of the British amps seem very expensive in the US. The Arcam A29 and Rega Elex-R go for 850-900 pounds and 1600-1700 dollars.

 

I recall that the old NAD C352 that I once owned sounded really good. It came with tape monitor etc. Dunno if the new one has that still.

 

Well, I don't know if this is a scam but I checked Amazon and ebay for pricing as my old Adcom amp from the 90's finally stopped working. They are from $2500-$3500. As I was looking on Ebay someone just listed a supposedly brand new one for $499 inc shipping. I am protected via PayPal so I took the bait. Seems like a scam to me but it is PayPal protected so we will see. I guess it's possible the seller got it as a gift or something and just wanted quick cash. We will see. Incredibly lucky if this pans out as it had just been listed. I wasn't going to buy it thinking it is way too good to be true, but since I seem to be protected I figured it worth the gamble. Guess we will see. I will let you guys know what happens. I was prepared to pay full price for one so this seems like quite a coincidence! Funny...if a friend asked me what I thought I would have told him to run away from it. Even got it black, which is what I was going to order.

 

Seems you need to buy the new Marantz SA-10 CD/SACD player gets excellent review in Hi-Fi News & RR with 89% rating.

 

I have a Cronus Magnum on my main system and a NAD 320BEE that is generally lying around as a spare. As it would have it, the Cronus cooked a channel and I had to send it back to Rogue. So I hooked the NAD up to my main system. After a couple of months, the Cronus was fixed and returned (no, it didn't take them that long to fix it, it took a while for me to get off my duff and ship the thing). The NAD impressed me in that I spent $200 on the little thing and it sounded very good. Then I hooked the Cronus back up. Yeah, there really is no comparison between the two. Don't get me wrong, the NAD is a fine piece of equipment, but it really doesn't touch the Rogue.

 

At the previous exchange rate before the Brexit, they were even more expensive ...

 

In my experience amps do sound different. For many years I ran Hafler SE-240 with a vintage CJ Motif pre. I bought a pair of Focal 948 and continued to use that amplification. These speakers are efficient (97Db) and are not power hungry at modest levels. The Hafler developed an issue (started to physically vibrate). I swapped in a spare Sumo Polaris I had (in pristine condition). A clear and hands down decrease in sound quality. Shopped around and bought a Bryston 4Bsst squared. Had the Hafler repaired and swapped between then. Once again there was a difference judged by everyone here to be an improvement with the Bryston. The last change was to replace the CJ with a previously owned Bryston BP-25 pre. Once again unanimous impressions that Bryston plus Bryston sounded best. My point is that without considering one better than the other as that is opinion; differences were heard between electronics in the various configurations. My wife, friends and some relatives all reported hearing differences in the reproduced music. "Hearing or not hearing" can be a function of a number of dependents besides the effect existing or not existing.

 

Believe me if I could afford it I would buy one. On my income the SA-8005 is the best I can do.

 

SA-8005-sweet item. Will you hear a big difference with the SA-10? Depends on your room and everything else in your system. For the 5k difference in retail new speakers might well yield a bigger upgrade? Depends on what you have now. In any case the 8005 is a capable item.

 

Just curious-why do you think the Elicit-R is a VERY poor value for money?

 

The current currency exchange rate plays in our favor actually. The Rega importer hasn't had to raise prices mainly due to UKs Brexit. The Elex-R was supposed to have an $1800 US retail.

 

I have heard a fair number of arguments that all amps sound alike. Perhaps for all amps that belong in a specific price range. When I replaced the NAD 218 THX by the Conrad Johnson MF2500A, the differences were not trivial - the bass was much tighter, the low level resolution was way better, the string instruments were much more alive and the vocals sparkled - I have primarily listened only to classical music over the past two decades ...

 

I am somewhat curious about the Rega amps. My experience with the Rega Planet 2000 CDP has been great and I got it for a great price from an audio installer out in CA. I am sure I can get a great price from him again ...