Poll: Best Looking Stereo Integrated Amp

[mhardy6647]

Nice casework -- but --
Looks like its packed pretty tight(ly) inside.
... and...
Two big knobs to do everything looks like it may leave something to be desired in terms of ergonomics.

Just my opinions, of course -- no more & no less.

EDIT:

I also note, wryly, the use of that huge-mongous toroidal power transformer -- in the context of a recent thread here.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-linear-transformers-so-much-over-smps.10102/

 

[pseudoid]

https://www.stereophile.com/content/ta-pa3100-hv-integrated-amplifier

Don't ask me why but this is the third mention of T+A and I am now thinking that Schiit tried to outdo the competition.

 

[ahofer]

Don't ask me why but this is the third mention of T+A and I am now thinking that Schiit tried to outdo the competition.

“so that the phase effects of high-frequency rolloff do not change the harmonic structure of the audible frequencies. Rolloff in the very high overtones of musical information has phase effects, which can change the harmonic character of much, much lower fundamental frequencies within the audio band.”

Any evidence for that assertion from the maker of the $23,000 amplifier?

 

[TimF]

I refuse to believe that the best looking, whatever that means, is innately and naturally and fundamentally tied to cost/expensiveness. This is a wonderful example of conditioning, posturing (as in economic class), and symbolization of consumer goods. You mean to say there aren't drop-dead gorgeous and wondrous looking low priced, or lower priced products? And don't tell me these favored machines are lower priced products in relation to the hyper priced products. You can lead a horse to water but it won't touch it unless it is the high priced brand. Let us be more imaginative.

 

[watchnerd]

I refuse to believe that the best looking, whatever that means, is innately and naturally and fundamentally tied to cost/expensiveness. This is a wonderful example of conditioning, posturing (as in economic class), and symbolization of consumer goods. You mean to say there aren't drop-dead gorgeous and wondrous looking low priced, or lower priced products? And don't tell me these favored machines are lower priced products in relation to the hyper priced products. You can lead a horse to water but it won't touch it unless it is the high priced brand. Let us be more imaginative.

I don't think anyone, in this thread, asserted that best looking is tied to being expensive.

If they did, I must have missed it.

 

[Doodski]

I refuse to believe that the best looking, whatever that means, is innately and naturally and fundamentally tied to cost/expensiveness. This is a wonderful example of conditioning, posturing (as in economic class), and symbolization of consumer goods. You mean to say there aren't drop-dead gorgeous and wondrous looking low priced, or lower priced products? And don't tell me these favored machines are lower priced products in relation to the hyper priced products. You can lead a horse to water but it won't touch it unless it is the high priced brand. Let us be more imaginative.

Yamaha has offered in the past very nice simply stated attractive looking components in the "Titanium" series. It's a darker silver color like stainless steel but a little darker and more shiny. The stuff was available from about $500 for a receiver plus peripheral components where available too. One needed to find a store that offered the product. Many stores only offered the black finish.

 

[pseudoid]

If two other members give me the 'thumbs up'; we can probably split the cost in thirds and nominate this Dan D'Agostino as being below $10k limit.

The inner beauty is subpar compared to the frontal view.

 

[watchnerd]

If two other members give me the 'thumbs up'; we can probably split the cost in thirds and nominate this Dan D'Agostino as being below $10k limit.View attachment 156298
The inner beauty is subpar compared to the frontal view.

Isn't that a power amp, not an integrated?

 

[Plan9]

Wish this had been an integrated amp...looks like one..nice design regardless...

 

[TLEDDY]

Ok... For $3K USD:

Cambridge EVO 2021 includes Roon...

 

[watchnerd]

Ok... For $3K USD:

View attachment 156317
Cambridge EVO 2021 includes Roon...

I think I'm getting old.

I have an aversion to video displays on audio gear.

 

[TLEDDY]

I think I'm getting old.

I have an aversion to video displays on audio gear.

I agreed at first, but tried it out, liked it, bought it.

 

[TLEDDY]

I agreed at first, but tried it out, liked it, bought it.

“At the risk of suffering disdain herein:

Electronics - measurement, measurement and measurement; if measurement in the audible spectrum is poor...forgeddaboutit!

Transducers aka speakers - the most important link in the reproduction process! First, measurement - obvious design flaws manifested in Klippel analysis remove from consideration (even if removable by electronic manipulation; room issues excepted).

Finally, and this is always personal, does the reproduction of musical material that I like please me.

My most recent purchase was the Cambridge EVO and KEF R3s and a SVS Sub, initiated by reviews in ASR. Damn fine sound!”

 

[TLEDDY]

But why?

I don't see any purpose in having so many integrated amps; I have no desire to own a pawn shop.

Why!?!? Too many integrated are never enough!

(Wife approaches with 10” butcher knife!)

 

[TLEDDY]

I have very much enjoyed this thread!

Two of my most favorite contributors are here: Doodski and Blumlein 88! They make my days a bit more bright! Thanks!

 

[Sal1950]

I think I'm getting old.

I have an aversion to video displays on audio gear.

Agreed, We'll see how some look in 5-10 years

 

[watchnerd]

Agreed, We'll see how some look in 5-10 years

They look like clock radios.

 

[pseudoid]

I can't be the only one that would rather fully hide their A/V gear and all of the #$%^ visible cables associated with them.
Or maybe because my remaining AV hardware are just brown-bag fugly...

 

[MattHooper]

I can't be the only one that would rather fully hide their A/V gear and all of the #$%^ visible cables associated with them.View attachment 156397
Or maybe because my remaining AV hardware are just brown-bag fugly...

Nope, not the only one.

I seek as clean a look at possible in my listening room, so everything but my speakers is in a separate room down the hall. I even "bury" the speaker cables in the room's shag rug so it doesn't even look like the speakers have cables!

It's not that I don't want to see my gear at all. I like the look of much of my gear - my tube amps, my turntable etc. But for the listening room I want serenity and lack of distraction. Too many cables make me uncomfortable. (Possibly scarred due to having spent years knee deep in cabling, working on movie sets and in movie production rental places).

 

[watchnerd]

This caught my eye.

It's Roon Ready. It has VU-meters. It has a built-in-DAC, phono stage, wireless antennas:

PROGRESSION INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER | Dan Dagostino amplifiers

But I can't tell if it has sub-woofer out / pre-out.

A bit over budget at $18K, but, hey, megacorp's stock is at an all time high and it's not like I can blow money on a nice vacation these days....

What Hi Fi review:

Dan D’Agostino Progression Integrated might just be the ultimate amplifier

High-end audio doesn't come much more high end than this

www.whathifi.com