2 channel Amp or Integrated Amp curiosity.

[ematthews]

So after all the amps and integrated amps I have been through, I would say that the Yamaha AS1100 has been the best sounding amp I’ve owned under 3000 grand. But a touch over that I’d give the edge to the Primaluna HP Integrated. That’s Apple and oranges however. My question. In your opinion and skimming through reviews. Is there anything out there that would knock these two out of first place under 5 grand? Category is for two channel
Audio only use. I have that damn bug and always thinking is there better??

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I don't think so. But it depends on the Amp-Camp you're in.

Some people might think a Yamaha AS3000-level and Luxman L-505uXII or L-507uXII will sound better.

 

[Out-Of-Phase]

My question. In your opinion and skimming through reviews. Is there anything out there that would knock these two out of first place under 5 grand? Category is for two channel
Audio only use. I have that damn bug and always thinking is there better??

Your thinking is audiophile. Fight the bug. You already arrived back when you owned that ATI power amp. Sit down, take a deep breath and just enjoy the music. And read my signature.

 

[ematthews]

I still have the ATI amp. It looks good sleeping on the lower rack.

 

[PENG]

As you stated, It is just someone's opinion. So you bound to get all kinds of answers from those who believe in every amp has its own sound signature that they can tell them apart, not sure what it would mean in real sense though. ADTG is right, it depends on which camp you are in, and in this only those firmly in one camp and have done comparison listening to many such amps can even attempt answer your question.

 

[ski2xblack]

I have that damn bug and always thinking is there better??

You already have some impeccable amps (ATI, Yamaha). The Primaluna has a lot of engineering just for the sake of ancient gain devices. It has higher distortion, both linear and nonlinear flavors, than your ATI or Yamaha amps, and less power as well. If you like that better, I doubt you will find another pp tube amp any better than that, just different. Maybe. (I have a hard time hearing a difference between a well sorted pp tube amp and conventional ss amps.)

Build yourself an Amp Camp Amp. You clearly need some single-ended pure class A in your quiver.

 

[Auditor55]

So after all the amps and integrated amps I have been through, I would say that the Yamaha AS1100 has been the best sounding amp I’ve owned under 3000 grand. But a touch over that I’d give the edge to the Primaluna HP Integrated. That’s Apple and oranges however. My question. In your opinion and skimming through reviews. Is there anything out there that would knock these two out of first place under 5 grand? Category is for two channel
Audio only use. I have that damn bug and always thinking is there better??

Don't waste money on extreme diminishing returns. If you have the bug and must spend why not donate to charity instead.

 

[lovinthehd]

Have you ever properly compared them head to head under controlled conditions or ? Just swapping amps informally is likely just going to let your imagination run loose a bit based on your expectations.

 

[Out-Of-Phase]

I still have the ATI amp. It looks good sleeping on the lower rack.

That's a nice amp.

 

[ematthews]

Just a note.. I am not buying another amp. I was just curious what's out there as to compare what I have. I don't have the Primaluna either. My main amp is the Yamaha. The ATI is here in case I ever get a preamp in the future, but doubt it. Just starting some conversation with fellow audio friends.

 

[Pogre]

Well what do you mean by "knock these two out of first place for under 5 grand"? More power? Better aesthetics? Get you more women? Weighs more? Ability to drive difficult loads? It depends.

 

[ematthews]

Well what do you mean by "knock these two out of first place for under 5 grand"? More power? Better aesthetics? Get you more women? Weighs more? Ability to drive difficult loads? It depends.

Well. If you go back to my original post, I am referring to sound. As in best. Subjective. I know this. That’s why I’m seeking feedback. I know what I like. I stated that the Yamaha and Primaluna sounded best to me. I was wondering if there was anything else that could top them. From peoples experience or opinion.

 

[Pogre]

Well. If you go back to my original post, I am referring to sound. As in best. Subjective. I know this. That’s why I’m seeking feedback. I know what I like. I stated that the Yamaha and Primaluna sounded best to me. I was wondering if there was anything else that could top them. From peoples experience or opinion.

Well... my opinion is that the differences you hear are most likely attributed to expectation bias and a li'l bit of placebo unless you did your comparisons under some sort of dbt, or at least remove any biases somehow. That's actually a huge pain to do right, but when it is done right folks who make those claims always fail to reliably tell a difference.

I think you'd be a great candidate for a dbt. Hell, I want to be in a dbt once! I really would! Surely, out of the bunch of us, a few of us could set something up. After things return to somewhat of a semblance of normal that is. I think I'd be up for it, as long as I wouldn't have to spend a fortune on air fare...

 

[lovinthehd]

Well. If you go back to my original post, I am referring to sound. As in best. Subjective. I know this. That’s why I’m seeking feedback. I know what I like. I stated that the Yamaha and Primaluna sounded best to me. I was wondering if there was anything else that could top them. From peoples experience or opinion.

Then again what sounds great to me may not mean anything to you. With amps I wouldn't bother spending any time trying a bunch of amps to achieve some vague goal like what sounded good to you in a certain place/time/mood....for example I never would even consider something silly like Primaluna.

 

[Pogre]

Wait, the Prima is a tube amp? Well all bets are off there. From what I understand tube amps aren't exactly accurate so I wouldn't want one. In that light I think any solid state amp would be my preference at any price over the Prima.

 

[ematthews]

Wait, the Prima is a tube amp? Well all bets are off there. From what I understand tube amps aren't exactly accurate so I wouldn't want one. In that light I think any solid state amp would be my preference at any price over the Prima.

Alright. I wasn’t looking for suggestions here guys. Just feedback on your opinions of personal use and from the reviews you read. Not a buying advice question. I’ve been beaten up a ton on this site before and over a long period of time. I have thick skin. Was just posting to get some conversation going on amps under 5 grand.

 

[lovinthehd]

Read subjective reviews about amps? Seriously?

 

[ryanosaur]

I'm still very much in the Agnostic camp when it comes to amps. I am cosidering doing the DIY Calss D build with Hypex NC400 or Purifi Amp modules.
A lot of room to explore... some pre-built consumer options include additional OP Amps, while another also includes an Input Buffer... So much of this is new to me.
But these Class D amps are supposed to be very clean in terms of distortion...



Why not check one of those out?

 

[KEW]

I think Benchmark makes a nice amp. It is probably what I would get if I had unlimited budget and no reason to be practical.

 

[lovinthehd]

I think Benchmark makes a nice amp. It is probably what I would get if I had unlimited budget and no reason to be practical.

Definitely tests really clean.