Good integrated to be building block
default -- Tue, 08/11/2009 - 18:58
Need to identify a good integrated amp that can deliver high current and about 100 wrms at 4 ohms and serve as a building block for a new system...first upgrade in 20+ years. Will run Ohm Walsh 1000s3 speakers in 14 * 14 room. Looking at $2k max new price. Want something that I can later use as a preamp as I start to upgrade. Long term lust is for Mcintosh. 50 years old and listen to all kinds of music but lots of acoustic jazz, female vocals, acoustic guitar, piano both classical and jazz, 70s singer songwriters and rock, blues and jazz guitar. Replacing old Mcintosh MA 5100 integrated. Open to hybrid and SS, maybe tubes. Live in Hawaii so cant really hear much of anything and few high end shops so durability is key. Have read about Portal Panache, various Music Fidelity, Cambridge audio all would be bought off internet. Using CA 740C cd player and works well.
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New to audio. Into the music first and foremost but love real sound of music...play guitar and other instruments so I can hear when things are accurate. Prefer warmer sound to excess detail.
There's an ARC integrated that seems as it would fit you bill perfectly. I think it's 60W, but I wouldn't get hung up on the power rating. It should have no problems driving most speakers.
That ARC integrated is the VSi55 and it retails for about $4,500, so it is far out of your range sadly. I would strongly recommend a Vincent integrated with the tubes in the front end and solid state on the output at 150 WPC for around $2,000 or so. I think the model is the SV-236 Mark II. Try getting it from www.audioadvisor.com possibly as they are great to deal with. The mark II is the critical part of it though. One of the Cambridge integrateds may be a good match too.
Hope this helps,
Tom
you can get McIntosh MA-6600 integrated amp. or other models of Mcintosh almost in mint condition on Audiogon web site at almost half price. I think no harm in buying one which is in almost new condition. Mac 275 is also very good tube amp.
SKR
another option. If your Mcintosh MA 5100 integrated has a pre-amp out and no issues with the audio connections in, and the pre-amp portion works well then a dedicated 2-channel amp is another option. I am using the new model NAD C275BEE to drive my front end. My surround amp front mains are pre-amped to the NAD. This let's me use the surround when I want plus get high quality 2-channel when I want.
I have the CA 840C in my system and it mates very well with the NAD. The sound is very musical.
There are lots of other 2-channel amps out there of course that would work well. CA has a good integrated in your price range. However, if the Mcintosh MA 5100 has a good pre-amp stage then a 2 channel amp for $2,000 should theoretically give you better sound than a $2,000 integrated. You would also have to spring for a good quality RCA cable to connect the Mcintosh to the amp, so factor that into the cost as well.
Paul