Recommendations for integrated w/balanced inputs?

Mark Johlke -- Fri, 10/08/2010 - 10:25

I'm looking to replace my Vincent MK-236 amp with one of similar quality but that offers balanced inputs (so to accomodate my Cambridge 840 CD player). I tried the matching Cambridge 840 integrated amp but since I strongly prefer tubes I found it to be very inferior to the Vincent. Who can suggest an amp in the 2-3K range that would fit the bill?

cmalak -- Fri, 10/08/2010 - 11:59

You can get a Pathos Logos integrated amp (new $5495 but in your budget used on Agon from time to time). It's a hybrid with tubes in the pre stage and MOSFET SS power output stage at 100wpc (similar design to your Vincent 236 integrated). It has two balanced inputs and 3 single-ended inputs. You can find a Logos come up on Agon occassionally in your price range. There is a new integrated amp from Pathos Acoustics that superceds the Logos. It is based on similar circuit design as the Logos and puts out 100wpc similarly but it also incorporates a 24/96 DAC. it is called the Ethos. I am assuming its price new is going to be in the $5-6K range but don't know for certain. The Pathos Logos is a very musical integrated. Good luck.

Robert Harley -- Fri, 10/08/2010 - 15:33

Keep in mind that not all "balanced" inputs are the same. Some products with XLR inputs immediately convert the signal to unbalanced with an active gain stage (a differential amplifier) and then amplify the unbalanced signal. There's no advantage to using balanced inputs on such a products, and indeed, there's the penalty of subjecting the signal to another active stage.

A truly balanced product keeps the signal balanced all the way through, and has four signal paths (left +, left -, right +, right -). These products can be identified by the number of elements in the volume control; two elements for an unblanced preamp and four elements for a balanced preamp.