What Is Your Favorite Integrated Amp?
- Thread starter Retro Stereo
- Start date
Harman Kardon A402
Hi,
I bought this amp sometime in the 70's and though I have had to buy a succession of more powerful amps to drive upgraded speakers I still play this almost every day while working in the basement. Jazz especially, on this amp through stacked Heil Fortura 10/JBL 4401 speakers, is superb. Great separation and a very neutral sound. It's kind of rare when a low priced, mass produced item is as pleasing and as lasting.
Hi,
I bought this amp sometime in the 70's and though I have had to buy a succession of more powerful amps to drive upgraded speakers I still play this almost every day while working in the basement. Jazz especially, on this amp through stacked Heil Fortura 10/JBL 4401 speakers, is superb. Great separation and a very neutral sound. It's kind of rare when a low priced, mass produced item is as pleasing and as lasting.
Attachments
Thanks!
The Fisher 800c has been sold since that photo was taken. However, I'm currently doing a 3-way rotation between a Fisher 660-A, a Dynaco ST35 custom and a Millett DCPP, so tubes are (still) in the house. The L-100 is the preamp stage as well as the subwoofer amp while the tubes drive the Heresy IIs.
-D
RandyFloyd76
Well-Known Member
This 100 Watt Denon PMA-770 kinda flys under the radar and can be had for bargain prices.
MX117.MC7150
Listener
Am guessing you meant the McIntosh MA6850, as there was no MA6950. While a great integrated amp, not sure I would consider as new as 1994+ a vintage model.
If that new qualifies, I'll go for the terrific Sony TA-F808ES, as well. And Bryston R-60RP and Accuphase E-407. The Yamaha CA-2010 is great, but doesn't have a remote. Gotta have a remote.
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cornwallguy
Active Member
Harman Kardon A402 best 40w/ch offered at the time.. splittable pre-poweramps too
second favorite of the time? Kenwood KA-3500
not as flexible as the H/K ,but a nice design .
second favorite of the time? Kenwood KA-3500
not as flexible as the H/K ,but a nice design .
cornwallguy
Active Member
A 402. very nice unit.. something i believe that could have been good enough to wear a Citation designate.
SPEC2man
Are we there yet?
Modwright
The new Modwright KWI 200 ... Just heard it a few months back and I went back in for a demo last weekend. Echo Audio in Portland OR, is a great place to find Modwright equipment. Dan and Kurt (Echo's owner) are good friends, so the store always has lots of interesting gear. It was hooked to a brand new pair of B&W 802DII's, not the easiest speakers to drive. It had authority and detail but it had warmth to it. We tried it out on a set of Aerial model 7's as well and the new KEF LS50. I can’t quite afford it, but as integrated amplifiers go ... it topped my charts. It has an adapter slot in it for either a built in DAC or a phono stage. How can you go wrong? An honorable mention is the Mark Levinson No. 383 … seriously good sound.
The new Modwright KWI 200 ... Just heard it a few months back and I went back in for a demo last weekend. Echo Audio in Portland OR, is a great place to find Modwright equipment. Dan and Kurt (Echo's owner) are good friends, so the store always has lots of interesting gear. It was hooked to a brand new pair of B&W 802DII's, not the easiest speakers to drive. It had authority and detail but it had warmth to it. We tried it out on a set of Aerial model 7's as well and the new KEF LS50. I can’t quite afford it, but as integrated amplifiers go ... it topped my charts. It has an adapter slot in it for either a built in DAC or a phono stage. How can you go wrong? An honorable mention is the Mark Levinson No. 383 … seriously good sound.
MyHeresyIsMe
Well-Known Member
My favorite integrated amp has so much sentimental value to it that it became special, perhaps just because of its sentimental circumstances. It was the amp given me by a very close, long time friend of mine just before he died (40 years is a long time). I was in the store when he bought it, I heard him get cussed mad when it 'misbehaved,' and he longlingly passed it on to me when he knew his time was up. It was the Marantz 1180DC. What a heavy, DC coupled, extra powered amp --- I would say one of the best Marantz ever put out, excepting its tendency to unexpectedly crap out on one channel --- then, into the shop, repaired, back home, only to have it return to the shop a few months later. But when it was perfect, it was perfect. That's my favorite ---- for many reasons --- hooked up to a pair of 1980 Klipsch Heresys.
windchaser
Active Member
The Pathos will always be one of my all time favorites. Pure class "A" sweetness with the magic of tubes make for a very musical hybrid.....
MyHeresyIsMe
Well-Known Member
Sweet display of itself too, windchaser!
