Integrated Amplifier, Pre/Power or Receiver - POLL

[vinny]

i have 1 onkyo m504 to each of my paradigm studio 100v5's.

[f1eng]

I have two possibilities in my main room, neither completely fit the poll!
The first is a preamp and 2 mono power amps (Goldmund Mimesis 20 with two Mimesis 29.4s)
The second is a pair of DeVialet D-Premier amps configured as mono blocks but containing their own ADC/DAC.
My second system doesn't really fit the poll either since I am using my Resolution Audio Cantata as the source and preamp into a pair of Nuforce 9 ref amps.
FWIW

[SteveM]

Simaudio I-5 integrated (the 1st generation model)

I'll give you my amp...

...when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!

[maspadaro]

No monster receivers from the 70's in pride of place then

Regards,
JaS

LOL no there are, pioneer Sa8500II with pioneer 9500EQ and Klipsch k4 speakers.

[resu]

I have an active system consisting of Erno Borbely 1198/116 Preamp (built from a kit), Accuphase A30 (30W in Class A for Midrange/Treble parts of the speakers), Musical Fidelity A3.2cr (for Bass parts) and Gradient Revolution Active Speakers with Gradient Electronic X-over.

Gradient is a Finnish company and for Midrange/Treble each Revolution Active has a cardiod Seas 176mm fibreglass midrange with coaxial 25mm aluminium dome treble. For each Bass part they have two 300mm long throw Woofers working in dipole configuration. So essentially its towers with cardiod Mid/Treble combined with dipole Bass.
The bass goes down to 20Hz, active x-over assisted. Crossover point is fixed at 110Hz. Bass level can be adjusted +/- 10dB. There's a 3-position switch for the Filter Q: level to 20Hz/-3dB, 20Hz/-6dB and 20Hz/-10dB. Also a Mono switch for the stereo bass units, just in case.
Triangular shape of the speaker enclosures let you position the bass parts either firing straight ahead or sideways. You turn of course upper Mid/Treble units facing ahead and turn their signal cable accordingly so that the phase keeps normal.
This way these speakers can be used also in smaller rooms or in peculiar shaped rooms.

If I wanted more bass I could add two more bass parts, and maybe a more powerful bass amp.

I'm very happy with this set. It's kinda combination of a pro studio monitors and an very good ordinary hi-fi speakers. Very balanced and open sound, analytical but not too clinical. I've worked so much in recording radio and tv studios that I think I knew what I wanted.
For a while I planned to buy a pair of 8" Genelecs (also Finnish made) but they are totally different animals, maybe too controlled.

[Binkman]

Realistic STA-2300 #310-3010

Well it's iffy on the integrated because I can use the main in pre out connectors.. just put it as integrated for poll sakes.

If you come a across one snap it up!! or the earlier 2100D with the analog meters. They go real fast. These amps are way under rated where listing will use the canned 20hz-20khz where in fact its 15-25khz Power: closer to 125 watts per channel. THD at 70 watts RMS per channel: 0.03%
Frequency Response at 10 watts: 15 Hz to 25 kHz
IM Distortion at 3 dB below full output: 0.05%

The huge Elna caps on the output amp. provides a really clean signal.
The receiver is pretty sweet. too with 3 gangs and auto lock. (I know not top line but pretty decent.)

[Alec124c41]

I had a RS 2100. I think it had a linear volume control. It was scary powerful! 100 watts output at 12 o'clock. Would not play really quietly, even with the 10 db filter.
I still have a Yamaha CR-1020 and CR-2020, a Sansui 9090,d a Technics 5570, and a Marantz 2275. The 1020 and the 2275 aren't monsters, being under 100 watts/side, but that's no problem.

Cheers,
Alec

[Binkman]

forgive us.. off the poll...

Yeah the 2100 (120w per channel) was a bit meaner for the loud crowd but basically identical. the 2300 was the led version of the analog meters and some adjustments to the guts. I rarely pop mine open takes about 10 watts just to get the led's to blink on the low power setting but for quiet listening below that it's still very responsive. I built my own speakers after some Ar 2s and I think that has a lot to do with it, too, as I like it near flat.

[JollyJeweller]

For the last 20 years I've been searching for Audio Nirvana, changed my pre/power/phono stage countless times, literally , and spent/lost so much money on upgrades , I could single handedly save Greece with it.
Last month I thought , f**k it, time to simplify my kit.
Sold the pre , power and phono, and bought a nice little valve integrated amp with a built in phono stage, and I'm loving it.
Less is more.

[Binkman]

You wouldn't be related to Jolly's Jeweler's in Raleigh NC?

LOL buy out Greece!
Your speakers are probably best matched to that amp. I can just imagine all the swaps and upgrades. There's a lot of guys out there with a side winder mono amp. driving a pair of full range drivers in home built custom cabs.

[JollyJeweller]

No amigo, I am A Jolly Jeweller as opposed to Jolly's Jewellers
I was worried the 25W valve amp wouldn't drive the speakers, they are a 6 way full range, but the Lux has big current and every thing is singing nicely!
Valves give a different sound to solid state....took a bit of getting used to!

[youngdand]

I am using this little thing: Yarland FV34c III

its little and on 12watts but it makes very sweet music even though its only running a cheap set of sovteks. I have had a quad 33 and 303 sitting in the floor next to it for nearly six months that has never been plugged in as this one sounds so good.

[petroulop]

LUXMAN L 590AII Integrated with internal phono.

[jrobby]

Exposure XV integrated. Bought it in 1993 and haven't looked back.
Also use in other systems: HH Scott 299a int. Marantz 2216B rec.
and a NAD 7020E receiver.