[WEEZ]

It would be useful to know the sensitivity of the Usher speakers and the size of your listening room- as well as the volume levels desired.

The Plinius integrated amplifiers are fine pieces- but if you're buying new, you could go with separates from alternate sources with equally good (or better) results.

If you can live with less power, the classic Bryston B60 will please you for a long time. And if you decide later that you need more power- you can always use it as a pre-amp with a higher powered amp.

What kind of music do you listen to? Do you use multiple sources? Do you like the sound of tube amps? Too many unknowns to make a suggestion at this point. What are you using now? Why don't you like it?

Tell us more....

WEEZ

[JLM]

Other candidates:

Unison Unico (straight or modded) 80 wpc hybrid, $1600 - 2300, widely acclaimed.

AMP-1 (chip amp) 40 wpc, $1900, minimalist.

Arcam DIVA A75 Plus, 60 wpc or DIVA A85, 85 wpc, $1500 with more features.

Bryston B-60 60, wpc, $1800, a classic.

Musical Fidelity A3.2, 115 wpc, $1500.

Vasant K GA120S, 50 wpc, $1200, purist.

[doug s.]

i would also consider something like the pathos classic one, 2nd edition.  it's an integrated w/a toob pre & s/s amp.  so, ya can get tube warmth, but still have s/s power, if ya feel yer speakers need it.  

another reason i want an s/s integrated to have preamp outs/main ins besides bi-amping/subwoofing flexibility, is so i can insert a tube buffer stage in the loop!     i am presently using an integrated in a second system, w/my z-man tube buffer stage between amp & pre, & it's just what it needs.  

so, if yure not interested in an integrated w/the pre-out/main-in feature, imo you should also consider a hybrid tube-s/s integrated.

doug s.

[Hantra]

The ONLY reason I changed from my Plinius integrated is because I wanted to try a passive preamp with my front-end.  I missed it almost every day until I got my 102.

[michael w]

I second what Hantra said.

The Plinius integrateds are great by any standard.

To comprehensively better their performance requires much more money.

IME similar priced separates don't even come close.

With the Plinius integrateds equipped with processor loops could you not run your passive into the processor loop ?

[Ears]

Jeez, I guess my  Sim i-5 has gone out of flavor....good thing I had it modified to keep up whith or surpass the competition

[ABEX]

I am considering using either a Plinius 8200P or a Sim W-3 and adding an FT Audio Controller.

I most likely will go with the Plinius,but I like the build quality of the W-3 also. Have time to decide ,I am in no rush.

[doug s.]

I second what Hantra said.

The Plinius integrateds are great by any standard.

To comprehensively better their performance requires much more money.

IME similar priced separates don't even come close.

With the Plinius integrateds equipped with processor loops could you not run your passive into the processor loop ?

if the plinius' have processor loops, then yes, you could insert a tube buffer stage there.  but, if the output of the processor is line-level, & not controlled by the wolume pot, then you could not insert an active x-over for subwoofing...

doug s.

[acfan]

Korsun V8i uses Super Class-A circuitry, very un-natual and fatigue sound. If you want Chinese deals, I would recommend ShengYa's integrated or separate, very solid products.

[ken]

check out the link below, the reviewer gave this a great write up.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_11_1/cayin-265ai-integrated-amplifier-3-2004.htmlhttp://