Poll: Best Looking Stereo Integrated Amp

[watchnerd]

Oops, sorry, messed up the formatting there a bit. Obviously, the bit startin with “I agree“ is mine.
Actually the link at the top of that post is to a Belles Aria, picture of which I was also trying to post.

This?

Look at that teeensy weensy little volume knob.....

It would barely qualify as a selector switch on a Japanese integrated.

 

[watchnerd]

It wouldn't be ASR without some Harman.

So here it is, the Mark Levinson 5805.

Mark Levinson is really the Lexus of audio electronics, isn't?

Well engineered, well made, performs well at its assigned tasks, tastefully luxurious without being gauche, but ultimately a bit bland and unexciting.

A good choice for people who want to spend a chunk of money but also play it safe.

 

[watchnerd]

WTF?

Is this a Primare or a TiVo?

 

[watchnerd]

Another clock radio, this time with LED.

 

[Doodski]

Another clock radio, this time with LED.

The wood looks like mactak glue on plastic woodgrain.

 

[watchnerd]

Stereophile says it's an integrated amp, but looking at it, I don't believe them.

Nobody will believe you paid $15,000 for it.

DQ'ed.

 

[watchnerd]

I don't know how I missed this one.

Launched in Sep. 2020, the Technics SU-R1000, their 'Reference Class' integrated amp.

$9500 for this, ready to whoop ass on the Yamaha.

Includes a bunch of fancy DSP features, including a DSP phono stage with "Response Optimiser".

 

[Doodski]

I don't know how I missed this one.

Launched in Sep. 2020, the Technics SU-R1000, their 'Reference Class' integrated amp.

$9500 for this, ready to whoop ass on the Yamaha.

Includes a bunch of fancy DSP features, including a DSP phono stage with "Response Optimiser".

Technics SU-R1000 Integrated Amplifier develops two times 150 watts on speaker systems with an impedance of 8 ohms, it is a proud 300 watts per channel when the speakers have an impedance of only 4 ohms. Digital amplifier, 4-PWM power supplies and MC phono. I searched for a manual but there is no listing of the SU-R1000 at the Technics USA website; but there is a press release blurb. It looks like it has all the latest technology and has linear output. Nice!
https://www.technics.com/us/about/press/releases/20200901-su-r1000/index.html

 

[Frank Dernie]

Way over your budget but possible to get used. Retail is at 25k. Looks, circuitry and performance, Ypsilon Phaethon. View attachment 98137View attachment 98138View attachment 98139View attachment 98140

About as boring to look at as it gets, and worse, it uses buttons for volume adjustment.
Shoot the designer.

 

[Frank Dernie]

WTF?

Is this a Primare or a TiVo?

Pretty normal Primare styling for quite a few years.
It is a CD player.

 

[Frank Dernie]

Stereophile says it's an integrated amp, but looking at it, I don't believe them.

Nobody will believe you paid $15,000 for it.

DQ'ed.

A friend has one, it is even uglier in the "flesh".

 

[Kuppenbender]

About as boring to look at as it gets, and worse, it uses buttons for volume adjustment.
Shoot the designer.

Agreed.

Maybe we need a new, lower league ‘Best Looking Stereo Integrated Amplifier with Buttons for Volume Adjustment’ thread - but with a snappier title.

 

[Frank Dernie]

I don't know how I missed this one.

Launched in Sep. 2020, the Technics SU-R1000, their 'Reference Class' integrated amp.

$9500 for this, ready to whoop ass on the Yamaha.

Includes a bunch of fancy DSP features, including a DSP phono stage with "Response Optimiser".

I looked at the specs on this when it came out (I like the styling too) but it has no more functionality than the Devialet and a lot less power so meh.

 

[Doodski]

So @watchnerd what do you think of the Devialet all in one integrated amps? I am auto routed to the Canadian site so not sure what's going to happen with this link.
https://www.devialet.com/en-ca/amplifiers/expert-pro/

 

[dougi]

Errr...why can't you get it in Australia?

Who knows. Only the turntables and Ottava. In the old days, yes. Regret selling my 1210s now of course. My ears don't! (from DJ work)

 

[tvrgeek]

The OP mentions that he only needs decent sound but wants an attractive unit. So people here post pictures of $8500 amps.

A comment on tiny switches. That is a complaint I have about my OPPO player. Tiny little flush buttons you could not find in a dim room. You know, a dim room you may be watching a movie in! I see they never fixed it, but alas, they are gone. Not surprised, as they went from excellent and expensive, to trying to be better for prices no one could afford, so I imagine they priced themselves out of the market.

As I wanted my system to be basically out of sight, I went separates again, so all that is visible is my little Asgard. Amp is hidden in the cabinet, along with the sub amp ,crossovers, power sequencer and basic mess of cables.

 

[mhardy6647]

What is this?

The big knob reminds me of the first integrated amp I owned, in college, a Denon something.

Luxman L-80V
https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/luxman/l-80v.shtml

edit: oops I only saw after I posted this that @Doodski had already answered this.

 

[watchnerd]

So @watchnerd what do you think of the Devialet all in one integrated amps? I am auto routed to the Canadian site so not sure what's going to happen with this link.
https://www.devialet.com/en-ca/amplifiers/expert-pro/

I already own a Devialet Expert 400. I have my niggles, but it's great, for the most part.

 

[watchnerd]

I looked at the specs on this when it came out (I like the styling too) but it has no more functionality than the Devialet and a lot less power so meh.

Technics' ADCT speaker distortion cancelling features sounds in some ways like Devialet SAM.

 

[Frank Dernie]

Technics' ADCT speaker distortion cancelling features sounds in some ways like Devialet SAM.

Have Technics measured loads of speakers and made correction files available? Too lazy to look, but if not it can't really be like SAM.