Poll: Best Looking Stereo Integrated Amp

[watchnerd]

To me it looks with its tilted front and weird asymmetric side ribs like it just crumpled at an NCAP crash test.

It's like sad accordion.

 

[PierreV]

It's like sad accordion.

The ultimate amp for Piazzolla fans.

 

[Deleted member 65]

 

[Alexanderc]

Here it is:
1. Audio Research Vsi75
2. Aesthetix Mimas
3. Line Magnetic 845ia
4. Pure Audio The One (acquired taste)
5. SPEC RSA-M99View attachment 97549
View attachment 97545View attachment 97546View attachment 97547View attachment 97548

The pure audio one looks like ET. Acquired taste indeed!

 

[Alexanderc]

I believe my choice would be the Anthem. I'm pretty sure that large front display is configurable to show 2 large VU meters and other displays. It includes the ARC room correction software that's capable of DRC on at least 2 and maybe 4 subwoofers? I listened to one tuning and driving the TOTL Paradigm towers at the 2018 Tampa audio show and gave it my "Best Of Show". Designed, engineered, and Crafted in Canada! Available in black or white.
https://www.anthemav.com/products-c.../model=str-integrated-amplifier/page=overview

The STR power amp can show VU meters, but I don’t think the integrated has that capability. The separates look fantastic too and just meet the OP’s budget at $10k.

 

[Ilkless]

View attachment 97798

I would typically warn anyone considering a Burmester only to get one only if they can either tolerate fingerprints (mirror finish everywhere) or put on white gloves every time they need to touch it, then I realised @watchnerd owns Devialet, so he already has much experience in this regard

 

[Deleted member 65]

I would typically warn anyone considering a Burmester only to get one only if they can either tolerate fingerprints (mirror finish everywhere) or put on white gloves every time they need to touch it, then I realised @watchnerd owns Devialet, so he already has much experience in this regard

For 18K€ in Sweden I expect white gloves to be supplied ...

 

[Frank Dernie]

I bought one of these because I liked the looks. Inexpensive from China, pretty nice build quality.
I had a mate who is a specialist in valve amps to check it out for safety and sort the power supply since it is 220 volts and here it is usually more than 240 volts.
I do more looking at it than listening but it works well and I still love the looks.

Edit, looks like nla

 

[Chrispy]

Fascinating thread. Have no use for an integrated amp myself, but interesting on the range of aesthetic (which I find of little meaning in my gear, I just use them, don't fondly gaze at them or caress them, save that for my bikes .

 

[MattHooper]

View attachment 97798

Yeeeeuuuuuck!

I loathe gear with tons of hot-sink flanges sticking out. So unsightly, un-ergonomic, and unpleasant to interact with (e.g. pick up/place anywhere).
Operating the above to me has all the appeal of trying to carefully pet a porcupine.

 

[Wes]

Accuphase

Yamaha can have 2nd place, but lacks the warm rose gold glow

 

[watchnerd]

View attachment 97798

Over budget, though.

That bad boy is $22k USD.

 

[TimF]

I had a NAD Silverline S300 and the outside was okay, nothing special. It was the inside that was special. The interior was beautiful if you are into that sort of thing.

 

[peanuts]

I bought one of these because I liked the looks. Inexpensive from China, pretty nice build quality.

cool. i also like some chinese tube amps like MingDa.

 

[Monte]

Post #23 GU50's?

 

[watchnerd]

I had a NAD Silverline S300 and the outside was okay, nothing special. It was the inside that was special. The interior was beautiful if you are into that sort of thing.

I don't typically have my gear sitting around with the lid off.

 

[watchnerd]

cool. i also like some chinese tube amps like MingDa.

Dang.

Thats a lot of bling.

Does it come with a gold necklace chain and a pinky ring?

 

[JBH129]

how about this?

 

[watchnerd]

how about this?

Those look to be monoblocks instead of an integrated amp.

 

[watchnerd]

Jeff Rowland Design Group, Continuum S2. Optional DAC, optional phono and optional headphone amp. Twin ultra-high efficiency power conversion modules yield 400 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms, doubling over 4 Ohms, and a peak current of 40 Amps.

Almost over budget....squeaks in at $9500 before adding the optional phono and DAC.

I can't tell where those extra modules would go, though...there aren't a bunch of empty slots like on an NAD.