Post by Owen Y on Jun 25, 2018 19:48:39 GMT 12
In recent years, there's been a slew of 'super integrated' amps introduced - amps that offer amplification + DAC on-board + line inputs + wireless input + streaming services support. ie. Simply add loudspeakers or headphones. (And music source of course.) ie. Pretty much all-in-one music players. Some incorporate a phono stage. (And/or a CD player/ripper + HDD on board.) eg.... Electrocompaniet ECI6 series  Sim Audio Moon ACE  Lyngdorf TSAI-3400 (with room-correction software)  Naim Uniti  Musical Fidelity M6 Encore series  Others?
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Post by michaelw on Jun 27, 2018 14:50:14 GMT 12
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Post by michaelw on Jun 27, 2018 14:55:26 GMT 12
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Post by cartridgeguyonline on Jun 27, 2018 16:53:56 GMT 12
Oh, I thought they meant by super integrated amplifiers, they were talking about integrateds that could foot it with pre power setups ? The Krell KAV300i being one of the first of those iirc (rated class A in Stereophile). I'm not sure what I would call the items you have listed. Music systems, CD receivers ?
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Post by michaelw on Jun 27, 2018 18:37:06 GMT 12
definition updated for the 21st century  agree on the little krell, an early one with the original kav rocket logo is the pick of the bunch. it wasn't alone though, around the same time all the major us high end manufacturers had a super integrated in their line ups, eg. jeff rowland concentra, conrad johnson ca200, arc ca50. the europeans had the lavardin it, jadis et al 
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Pundit
Post by garym on Jun 28, 2018 11:03:42 GMT 12
A perspective on these... The added technology, particularly the DACs are from an area of technology that is rapidly evolving. This will render these products out of date very quickly. Better to buy those bits separately so they can be upgraded as funds and technology dictates.
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Post by michaelw on Jun 28, 2018 11:44:41 GMT 12
agree 110% in my case a really good integrated  + affordable universal disc player to handle digital playback. but even that route is closing down. oppo has gone. cambridge audio's latest universal disc player is transport only. the arcam udp411 is the only other current universal i know of with analogue output.
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Pundit
Post by SL1210 on Jun 28, 2018 12:10:39 GMT 12
A perspective on these... The added technology, particularly the DACs are from an area of technology that is rapidly evolving. This will render these products out of date very quickly. Better to buy those bits separately so they can be upgraded as funds and technology dictates. That is exactly my perspective. However I can see that for others the all-in-one approach has its conveniences. Also price. I understand that one of the most expensive parts in a component is the chassis - so Dac, Pre and Power in one box has a lot going for it.
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Post by Owen Y on Jun 28, 2018 12:16:22 GMT 12
Many punters these days are attracted to a one-box solution with wireless connection & the latest 'super integrateds' incorporate wireless or wired input, with wifi receiver & associated apps onboard. ie. For streamed music, supporting Tidal, Spotify, Roon, Airplay, etc - eg. from smartphones. (In addition to wired devices - NAS stored music, etc or traditional TT/CDPs etc.)
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Post by cartridgeguyonline on Jun 28, 2018 16:43:09 GMT 12
Geez thats the same argument that went against receivers and all in one systems originally wasn't it ? What goes around etc
With the reputation for long term unrepairability of disc drives i'd be mighty wary of selecting one with a disc drive in it ?
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Post by Owen Y on Jun 29, 2018 13:42:25 GMT 12
A way to (attempt to) avoid obsolescence is to use plug-in modules, eg. as in this Goldnote IS-1000 'super integrated' amp.....  
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Post by michaelw on Jun 29, 2018 14:53:29 GMT 12
or computer style architecture with a basic mainframe and plug in boards.
not so common in two channel but regularly seen in home theatre, eg, nad, rotel.
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Post by Owen Y on Jul 5, 2018 11:59:56 GMT 12
Darko Audio reviews the Gold Note IS-1000: darko.audio/2018/07/the-music-centre-re-invented-gold-notes-is-1000/" Super-integrated; an all-in-one – amplifier / DAC / streamer / phono stage in one box. " Interesting it even has selectable High/Low Damping Factor - which changes the sound & tonality. " Out of the window goes the hifi rack, a mess of wires and the clutter (to leave only the speaker cable in-between). A streamlined hifi solution for modern homes. "  
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Member
Post by luckiestmanalive on Jul 13, 2018 20:58:07 GMT 12
Haven't NAD and Creek also been doing the module-based integrated?
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Post by Owen Y on Jul 19, 2018 21:29:16 GMT 12
Darko Audio - 15 ‘must-hear’ super-integrated amplifiers: darko.audio/2018/07/15-must-hear-super-integrated-amplifiers/Ranging from US$399 - NAD D 3020 v2- Class D, 40wpc - DAC: 24bit/96kHz - Streamer: aptX Bluetooth - MM Phono stage - Headphone output  To US$23,000 - Bel Canto Black ACI 600- Class D hybrid 300wpc into 8 Ohms / 600wpc into 4 Ohms - DAC: 24bit/192kHz - Streamer: Roon Ready, UPnP and Tidal - Phono stage MM/MC - Headphone amplifier - MQA support - EQ, bass management system for external subwoofers - USB port for storage devices - firmware upgradable 
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Post by michaelw on Jul 19, 2018 22:27:23 GMT 12
i reviewed the ancestors of two of the amps in that list.
the moon i3.3 which was modular and equipped with phono, dac and balanced output boards.
it was a very enjoyable piece of canada.
likewise the rotel ra-1570.
excellent performance with phono and dac, at a reasonable price.
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Post by Owen Y on Jul 24, 2018 10:26:55 GMT 12
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Post by michaelw on Jul 24, 2018 10:37:01 GMT 12
^ taking the fight to bose
alas, the pictures made it appear you could change the colour scheme of the unit at the push of a button but that only changes the display colour, the end pieces must be physically swapped out.
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Dec 1, 2018 13:26:11 GMT 12
Since moving to Oz I needed a cheap, simple solution until I got settled.
Ended up with a PS Audio Sprout. Does most things, however, I really just wanted the integrated amp and DAC for streaming Tidal.
Paid $725 AU and it’s a stonking bargain IME. If I wanted to utilise the phono stage would be even more so.
I wasn’t expecting it to sound as good as it does.
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Post by Owen Y on Dec 1, 2018 16:48:45 GMT 12
We had some discussion here about the Sprout. (We trust that you haven't suffered from recent downpour storms in Sydney, Gryffles?)
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Dec 1, 2018 23:02:36 GMT 12
We had some discussion here about the Sprout. (We trust that you haven't suffered from recent downpour storms in Sydney, Gryffles?) So we did, must’ve missed that thread The downpours weren’t so bad thanks Owen. No damage done.
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Post by Owen Y on Feb 26, 2019 18:44:03 GMT 12
Pro-Ject MaiA S2 super-integrated amplifier announced - only Euro 499 / £435 ( DARKO Audio). See also Pro-Ject website. - 9 source devices can be connected simultaneously
- High-quality phono MM + high output MC preamp
- 3 analogue line level inputs (2x RCA, 1x 3,5mm jack)
- XMOS asynchronous USB 24bit/192kHz input for computer audio
- Digital coax input (up to 24bit/192kHz)
- 2 Toslink inputs (up to 24bit/96kHz)
- Wireless Bluetooth streaming (aptX capable) input with dedicated antenna
- 25wpc into 8 Ohms; 38wpc into 4 Ohms
- Headphone output
- Subwoofer output
- Dimensions only 206W x 38H x 165D mm
 (Pictured on top of matching Pro-Ject CD Box S2.)
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Post by andrewp on Mar 2, 2019 7:12:11 GMT 12
Pretty sure my Absolare Signature intergrated will see off any challengers to its right to be considered worthy of its place as a super intergrated. Drives the TAD R1's with ease and delicacy.
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Post by cooksferry on Mar 2, 2019 7:34:20 GMT 12
How to the current Perreaux I series stack up in this company?
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Post by Owen Y on Mar 2, 2019 9:44:13 GMT 12
These days, a "Super Integrated" amp is referring to an amp that offers not only amplification, but has a DAC on-board, line inputs plus wireless input & streaming services support. ie. Simply add loudspeakers or headphones. (And music source.) Some also incorporate a phono stage. ie. Pretty much all-in-one music players.
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Post by michaelw on Mar 2, 2019 10:24:40 GMT 12
How to the current Perreaux I series stack up in this company?
same as plinius ?
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Post by cooksferry on Mar 3, 2019 14:59:45 GMT 12
How to the current Perreaux I series stack up in this company?
same as plinius ?
Sorry you've lost me Michael. Never mind, was watching a Perreaux 80I in our local HN. 40th anniversary edition marked down to $1695. Been like that for some time while I procrastinated, went back today and gone for around $1000. Could well have been less, sales man couldn't remember exact price.
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Post by michaelw on Mar 3, 2019 16:08:17 GMT 12
both companies appear to be lost in the wilderness when it comes to sound quality.
plinius moreso.
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Post by andrewp on Mar 4, 2019 16:44:00 GMT 12
I do think that the integrated amps of today are a vastly different beast from 10yrs back. Ok in audio terms thats a life time but man o man have things changed. The amount of outputs any amp has to have these days has increased massively. No longer cd,phono,aux in/out etc.
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Post by michaelw on Jul 1, 2019 23:47:04 GMT 12
from 35min... CH Precision I1 would be an ultimate super integrated ? just look at the size of the power transformer !
1000VA
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