[TheChairGuy]

The best?  Hard to know or remember.

But, those that invariably stand out are fully dual mono....right back to individual transformers.

In a fairly new home for us and I want to keep my audio clutter to a minimum, so my tube mono amps are packed away still...but I'm getting entirely adequate hi-fi from a Pioneer Elite A9 fully dual mono receiver today.  I think it was $600.

Now, its not being asked to push a hard load for speakers, the room is only about 15 x 18' - but it sounds extraordinary.  It's a rare 2 channel only receiver with no digital inputs or out, a 'direct path' switch, display off function for best sound.  Radio, remote and a surprisingly clean MM phonostage complete its tidy function list.

[werd]

The Burmester 082, DarTZeel CTH-8550 and the Luxman 590.

Those would be my favorites.

Simaudio i-7 and 700i right up there.

The simaudio 600i is grand. But I would probably go with the Pathos logos for under 10k. I would like to hear the Luxman 590.

[revrob]

I just pick up a Jungson DA-300IA which is the class a/b of their class A amp, JA99D. It is a beast at almost 70 pounds. It is a very good integrated, 300 watts a channel and it has a firm grip on my Salk HT3s that I didn't believe a integrated could do well. I may post a review later as I have only had it for a few days.

[OzarkTom]

I have hed the Stello  AI700 here for a couple of months now. All I can say.....

[rodge827]

I have hed the Stello  AI700 here for a couple of months now. All I can say.....

Ok Tom, now I'm confused 

What gives...Two best of on the same thread? 

Is it a budget thing or is one better sounding than the other?   

[Rocket_Ronny]

Jadis Orchestra is wonderful.

Rocket_Ronny

[rooze]

CJ CA200

[underdawg]

I feel bad I have b=never had a audiophile integraded as of yet. I was lucky to always have seperate amps and preamps. I did see a nice odyssey integrated for sale in the forum . hmmm is it worth it to go intergrated from seperates , I dont know cause I have not tried, but it sure would be nice to go that route if possible.

[Freo-1]

Pass Labs INT-150.  Incredible performance, quietest, blackest background I've ever experienced. 

[OzarkTom]

Ok Tom, now I'm confused 

What gives...Two best of on the same thread? 

Is it a budget thing or is one better sounding than the other?   

One is $6500 and 500WPC, the other is 32WPC and costs $500. For the power hungry speakers, the Stello sounds great. I can live with either one depending on the speakers.

[rpf]

VAC Phi Integrated. So musical and accurate. Also $$$ unfortunately.

[K Shep]

Ayre Acoustics AX5

Mark

+1, listened to the Ax-5 powering Vivid speakers recently, outstanding sound!

priced at around $10k

[rodge827]

One is $6500 and 500WPC, the other is 32WPC and costs $500. For the power hungry speakers, the Stello sounds great. I can live with either one depending on the speakers.

Makes sense to me.   

I thought you may have found a new gem, for over all use, in the digital realm. 

[Afterimage]

Burmester 082.  It is expensive, but I had to have it.   The Modwright KWI 200 is the best I have heard for a decent price.  The modded Unison Unico SE's are very good as well. 

[jhm731]

Leben CS 600

[kenreau]

DarTZeel CTH-8550.  Close To Heaven.

Kenreau

[carusoracer]

Leben CS 600

I luv the Avatar

[LadyDog]

Not sure there is such a thing, but the Karan integrate would be towards the top of what I have heard.

[OzarkTom]

Has anyone here have heard the 15watt Bakoon?

[Gopher]

REDGUM RGi120 and RGi120 ENR are the beat solid state integrated amplifiers I've heard to date.  My Melody AN211 is the best tube integrated I have experienced, but I wouldn't be surprised if the AN845 is better.

Integrated amps are a great option!