Search for an Integrated Amplifier

HiFiSoundGuy · « **Reply #220 on:** 24 Jan 2009, 09:06 pm »

LFD just came out with a all new Integrated amp....LFD ncse that is said to be the BEST Integrated amp AT ANY PRICE! http://www.generubinaudio.com/id18.html

denjo · « **Reply #221 on:** 25 Jan 2009, 02:43 am »

Yes, I heard about this new amplifier from the bench of Dr Richard Bews! If Sam Tellig says that the LFD Zero Mk III is the best integrated amplifier and the NCSE is supposed to be better, that it really ought to be an outstanding amplifier. Very interesting topology used - low fuzzy distortion (which gives the acronym LFD). I have heard the LFD MI100 (dual mono) which should be one step up from the LFD Zero (and perhaps even the NCSE). The MI100 was a very musical amplifier - spartan features (you won't find any remote control here) - and was in my shortlist. For those looking for a musically satisfying integrated without remote, you can't go wrong with the LFDs! It can be fitted with phono but not DAC.

Best Regards
Dennis

pardales · « **Reply #222 on:** 25 Jan 2009, 03:30 am »

The LFD sounds like quite an amp. Though this is not the first time such claims have been made, especially by Tellig.

denjo · « **Reply #223 on:** 26 Jan 2009, 04:50 pm »

This evening I listened to the Accuphase E-450 fed with my stock SB3 (digital out) and the Internet Radio (RadioIOJAZZ)(albeit only mp3) sounded superb! The quality I was hearing through the Accuphase built-in DAC was thoroughly enjoyable and musical. There were some tracks on Internet Radio that sounded just as good, if not better, than listening to a CD via my Quad 77 CDP! I attribute the quality of the Accuphase Integrated and DAC as a major factor for the musicality I was enjoying this evening! IMHO, even a stock SB3 (with a Paul Hynes' PSU) can sound as good as a decent standalone CDP, if an excellent DAC is used. Or maybe it was tonight's selection of jazz that made it so listenable and enjoyable!

I could hear every instrument distinctly, from the double bass to the hi-hat! Or perhaps my Accuphase has finally "broken-in"!

TONEPUB · « **Reply #224 on:** 26 Jan 2009, 06:33 pm »

Heard the LFD at CES with Harbeth Monitor 40.1's. Nice combination....

While I don't always agree with Sam T. (his assessment of the CJ Classic
this issue was way off the mark), the LFD is very musical.

I think for the money though, I'd buy a Sugden A21SE. Half the price and
just as yummy of a sound in my opinion. (and a remote)

For what the LFD costs, you could just about get the Luxman L-590A II,
which is my absolute favorite integrated, with great remote, awesome
headphone amp and a decent MM/MC phono stage built in.

And cool meters!

HiFiSoundGuy · « **Reply #225 on:** 26 Jan 2009, 10:55 pm »

Has anyone heard these two Integrated amps... Audiomat Opera Reference 20... http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/audiomat/opera.html or the Oracle Audio SI1000... http://www.dagogo.com/OracleSI1000.html

denjo · « **Reply #226 on:** 27 Jan 2009, 07:16 am »

Quote from: TONEPUB on 26 Jan 2009, 06:33 pm

For what the LFD costs, you could just about get the Luxman L-590A II,
which is my absolute favorite integrated, with great remote, awesome
headphone amp and a decent MM/MC phono stage built in.

And cool meters!

Hi Jeff

Interesting! The Luxman looks very much like the Accuphase, with the dual meters. Have you had a chance to compare the Luxman against the Accuphase E-530 or E-550, both class A integrateds?

Best Regards
Dennis

Audiomania · « **Reply #227 on:** 4 Feb 2009, 05:55 pm »

I have been busy spending a lot of time and enjoying MUSIC with my Accuphase E213

However one thing is a bit disturbing as I can't figure out why it is not possible to use banana speaker plugs.
The size of the hole at the end of the terminal is exactly right but it doesn't accept a plug as there is something in the way.

Could you describe a little more detailed what you did to get it possible with your Accuphase ?

I am starting to evaluate the possibility of replacing the original speaker terminals with some serious WBT terminals if it's not possible tio use banana plugs with the standard terminals.

denjo · « **Reply #228 on:** 5 Feb 2009, 05:56 am »

Hi Audiomania

I am glad you are enjoying your Accuphase E-213! As with any Accuphase amplifier, it is built to last and to provide superb musical enjoyment. As for the speaker binding posts, I think you should drop Kelly Kawakami-san an email first to ask if the speaker binding post can accept banana connectors as well. As far as I konw, only the more recent Accuphase integrateds (yours could well be on this list) could accept spades and bananas. This move was in response to feedback from customers and reviewers (shows you how close much attention is given to feedback in their zeal to improve).

If Kelly-san confirms that yours is in the list, then it is a very simple, straightforward procedure. here is what I said in my earlier post:

"The newer Accuphase amplifiers (E-450 for example) have huge binding post that accept large spades as well as bananas. However, for audiophiles who wish to use bananas only, here is an important tip! You will find that the binding post has a covering which encloses the hole for bananas. You will need to use a thin wire, bent slightly at the end (like a fishing hook) to insert into tiny holes to dig out the enclosures! The manual does not mention this but if in doubt please, please consult your Accuphase dealer to remove the enclosure coverings for you! I contacted Accuphase Japan (Kelly San) and with the help of the Accuphase dealer in Singapore (Jason, many thanks!), the coverings were removed without diffulty. I kept the little coverings (8 in all) in a small plastic back in case I wanted to revert back to spades! I must say the Accuphase is mindful of even such minute details. I then connected my Auditorium 23s via banana connectors and all is well!"

Like you, I did not feel comfortable locking the bananas using the spade grips!

Please let me know how Kelyy-san's response!

Best Regards
Dennis

Ps, Accuphase website is www.accuphase.com

Audiomania · « **Reply #229 on:** 6 Feb 2009, 12:52 pm »

Hi Dennis
Btw. my son is Dennis

Thanks for the tip I will drop Kelly san a line right now.
I'll let you know what his reply is.

BR
Peter

denjo · « **Reply #230 on:** 6 Feb 2009, 05:08 pm »

Hi Audiomania

Same namesake as me? You have got good taste with names and amplifiers!

Look forward to hearing news from you sometime soon.

Best Regards
Dennis

denjo · « **Reply #231 on:** 7 Feb 2009, 06:37 pm »

I took out my trusty old Cary 300SEI from the store room this evening and decided to hook it up to my Harbeth SHL5, not expecting very much from 15 watts, and even less with my Paradisea. I have been "spoilt" with the Accuphase-Harbeth combo. My Cary 300SEI has been collecting dust for many years now, so I thought a little clean up would do it much good. Boy, this little SET is about as heavy as my mighty Accuphase.

SB3 ---> digital out (using Karl of Empirical Design's 118 cable) ---> stock Paradisea (WE 365 tube) ---> Cary 300SEI. Powered her up. The blue LED lights up, tubes slowly light up! From cold, the music sounded sterile. I left the combo playing while I did some work on the computer in the next room. After about an hour, I return to the sweet spot and was amazed what 15 class A watts from a 300B SET was capable of pumping out from my Harbeth SHL5! A quick visit to Cary Audio's website shows that they have been very busy lately with a new offing called the Xcite integrated amplifier and DAC. The new Xcite looks very much like the 300SEI with its classic styling and was designed to take advantage of computer audio (USB/RCA/BNC/Toslink) with the added bonus of a high quality headphone facility, much like what I used my 300SEI for. (For those looking for a tube integrated for use in the office or the bedroom or even the lounge, are strongly advised to check this gorgeous integrated). Here is the url of the Xcite from Cary Audio's website:

www.caryaudio.com/graphics/news/CES09/xciteramp_title.jpg/

Anyhow, I was pleasantly surprised how musical the Cary-Paradisea-Harbeth trio sounded! There is no denying that tubes certainly enhance the "I am there!" feeling much better than its solid state counterpart, and tamed whatever trace of digital glare there was from SB3's internet radio, making it very much more listenable and making me forget that I was actually listening to mp3 sound! How could so few watts sound so powerful?

For the rest of the evening, Dennis Had of Cary Audio's crusade of "power corrupts" kept reminding me that I was only listening to a 15-watt amplifier and not my 180-watt Accuphase!

It sounded so good that I "forgot" my initial mission, that is, to give the SET a good clean up!

Best Regards
Dennis

HiFiSoundGuy · « **Reply #232 on:** 9 Feb 2009, 06:26 am »

The Accuphase E-450 is a Damn GOOD Integrated amp...... http://www.dagogo.com/DIYHeartland/AccuphaseE-450.html

Audiomania · « **Reply #233 on:** 9 Feb 2009, 06:02 pm »

Just fort your information;

"The speaker terminals of the E-213 are not made to take banana plugs due to the European CE regulations. Sorry for the inconvenience."

that was really something I didn't expect

Anyway the bigger integrates accept bananas ??

denjo · « **Reply #234 on:** 10 Feb 2009, 02:36 am »

Audiomania

Really sorry to hear that the E-213 cannot accept banana connectors! Has the European CE Regulations changed since then? Guess if you really want banana connectors, you will need to retrofit the newer connectors to your E-213.

Best Regards
Dennis

HiFiSoundGuy · « **Reply #235 on:** 10 Feb 2009, 04:30 am »

I wonder how the Accuphase E-450 would compare to the Luxman l-550a s2 ? They say the l-550a s2 sounds almost as good as the l-590a s2 but has less power and cost $4500

Zero · « **Reply #236 on:** 10 Feb 2009, 05:14 am »

I'm test driving the McIntosh MA7000 at the moment. 250wpc of Mac love. I must say, the company really out-did themselves with this piece. Fantastic integrated.

The most impressive new piece is Vista Audio's revised i34 E34L based integrated. Holy smokes... ridiculous for the money. It's hanging right on in there with the Mac and isn't embarrassed to be play in the same gig with the mighty Karan.

denjo · « **Reply #237 on:** 10 Feb 2009, 04:11 pm »

Been real busy at work lately! But managed to squeeze some time to collect my B100-DA/P. Just to recap, the DAC had to be replaced because I swapped digital cables while the amplifier was "hot" (ON). Kudos to James of Bryston and Leonard (my local Bryston dealer), Bryston replaced the defective DAC with a brand new one at no extra cost to me!

I now have two integrateds to play with - the Accuphase E-450 and the Bryston B100. Both are fitted with built-in DAC and phono.

I have been listening to the Bryston for the last two evenings and am quite surprised with how good the Bryston sounds! It sounds *damn* good, so much so I simply left it playing for almost 6 hours at a stretch. The bass was powerful and authoritative, leaving no guesswork that its a Bryston that is playing. The midrange has sonority and the ring of bells and hi-hat was clean. There was superb timbre and tone. Decay and reverbs were outstanding. Conversation/diction was very easy to follow. I found myself actually following the lyrics to songs. For example, there was a Kenny Rogers song on radio ("Lucille"), a song I've heard countless times but I always thought the lyrics were "four hundred children ..."(wow, what a woman!) but through the Bryston it sounded, "four hungry children..."(now that sounds more realistic!).

I was hoping you won't ask - which sounds better, the Accuphase E-450 or the Bryston B100? Well, let me spend more time with both before I come to any conclusions.

Best Regards
Dennis

HiFiSoundGuy · « **Reply #238 on:** 10 Feb 2009, 11:14 pm »

The Accuphase E450 won best in class beating out the Luxman L550a s2 for first place in that price class.... http://www.visualgrandprix.com/vgp2008_summer/result/paudio-e.html

jhm731 · « **Reply #239 on:** 10 Feb 2009, 11:26 pm »

Check out:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=61267.0