I really like integrated amps

[Rob Babcock]

Are there any fans of integrated amps here? I must admit to a sneaking regard for them. No, I wouldn't want to build my main system around one, but I like them just the same.

Probably my admiration for them dates back to the 80's. As a kid I lusted after a Carver 1.0t amp and C-1 preamp, or even a C-4000 if my ship really came in. I never did manage to get one, but in the late 80's I did score a Carver CM-1090, brand new. It was a pretty beefy sounding 100 wpc integrated amp with Sonic Holography and a remote. Although it was no 1.0t, it drove my Infinity SM 150+'s to near-concert levels.

Fast forward to 2005. In my main rig, I have virtually no use for 2CH at all. So that doesn't leave much room for the good ol' integrated. Oh, sure- there's one or two MC int's on the market, but they're rare. Still, for my 2nd system and integrated is tough to beat. I love the simplicity and elegance of them- everything I really need and nothing I don't. It's spare, almost spartan, but has a sorta Feng Shui or something.

Anyone else care to sing the praises of the humble integrated amp?

 

[furrycute]

I really fail to see the reason why manufacturers have to separe the preamp from the amp. For phono stages, the preamp does serve to amplify the weak signal. But for CD/DVD, the output signal from the source is already strong enough to go directly to an amp.

Maybe the amp manufacturers figured that it is better to charge us 2x (the preamp and amp) instead of 1x (the integrated amp).

 

[Rip Van Woofer]

Silly man. Don't you realize that an integrated amp means one less reason to buy overpriced voodoo interconnects?

 

[Resident Loser]

Way back when...

Are there any fans of integrated amps here?...Anyone else care to sing the praises of the humble integrated amp?

...'74, I think...I purchased my first "real" stereo...part of which was a Pioneer SA-9100 integrated amp...It was, and still is one of the "sexiest" looking pieces of gear out there...60Wpc, tape switching up the wazoo, four-band tone controls...all the bell's and whistles...inputs for two TTs(one with switchable impedance levels), Pre-out/pwr-in jacks, source and output level adjustment pots, all packed in a metal cabinet with a brushed aluminum(?) faceplate and walnut side panels...to me, it is the epitome of design and function...needless to say the performance was flawless IMHO...

I still have it and the matching TX-9100 tuner, unfortunately, both are currently awaiting some troubleshooting(when I get the chance) of some intermittent troubles...

Now that I have gushed profusely, I simply think integrateds(with the required connectivity options) are the best way to start out in this hobby. If you don't listen to the radio, a receiver(or tuner) is not required...if you decide to upgrade your power with an outboard amp(or amps) you already have a pre- to work with, which is what I did.

Using the 9100 as a pre- I wired it to my HK Citation 19 through a Sound Concepts DS-550 ambience recovery unit and fed the rears through the power amp in the integrated...simple, no muss-no fuss, no extra gear taking up valuable rack real estate...

It's sad that HT has fairly well killed the reasonably priced 2-ch market and when someone like Marantz comes up with their promising PM-7200 integrated they don't include pre-out/pwr in jacks in favor of a "processor loop". As I said to their rep, for most of us, that's a bummer.

jimHJJ(...and(while fiscally I can) I can't afford the Denon...)

 

[miklorsmith]

Me Too!

Integrated amps are cool. They're smaller, more portable, make great music, and cost less. I've got an integrated Audio Zone gainclone amp in my second system that is really great. Not a ton of power, but then I'm not a power guy. It would be nice to be able to separate the parts to swap into the main system, but the separates are twice the price. So, back to how great they are. . .

 

[j_garcia]

My integrated really isn't much smaller than my receiver. I definitely wouldn't call it portable. In my little 2ch setup, I run no video, and don't need (or want) any processing, so an integrated was the perfect choice.

...PM-7200 integrated they don't include pre-out/pwr in jacks in favor of a "processor loop"

Explain? The 7200 can disconnect the amp from the pre section and be used as a pre or an amp.

 

[Resident Loser]

I tried to get...

Explain? The 7200 can disconnect the amp from the pre section and be used as a pre or an amp.

...some info re: the 7200...can't download any PDFs from any Marantz site, so I called csr. support and put the question to them re: processor loop...the guy couldn't find the info but transferred me to someone's voicemail...I left a message and a few days later received a callback and was informed it is only a processor loop(for EQs or other similar gear)...the circuit break occurs after the inputs but before the volume and tone controls(they have no effect on it's output) so it's not a traditional(and more usable IMO) pre/pwr configuration...it strikes me as a bummer and dumb to boot and told him so...apparently their marketing is of a different POV...

jimHJJ(...otherwise methinks it's a neat unit and I'd probably buy one...)

 

[cornelius]

I grew up listening to my dad's Fisher tube integrated, so my interest started from the very beginning. After some nice Britingrateds along the way, I now have a McIntosh, which sounds just as good as many seperates.

My next stop will be a Manley Stingray. EveAnna was getting me kind of psyched for some seperates, but I'm always sticking with an integrated.

 

[Vancouver]

I like the idea of the value they offer, but do you all belive the sound is equal to or better then seperates?

 

[j_garcia]

...some info re: the 7200...can't download any PDFs from any Marantz site, so I called csr. support and put the question to them re: processor loop...the guy couldn't find the info but transferred me to someone's voicemail...I left a message and a few days later received a callback and was informed it is only a processor loop(for EQs or other similar gear)...the circuit break occurs after the inputs but before the volume and tone controls(they have no effect on it's output) so it's not a traditional(and more usable IMO) pre/pwr configuration...it strikes me as a bummer and dumb to boot and told him so...apparently their marketing is of a different POV...

jimHJJ(...otherwise methinks it's a neat unit and I'd probably buy one...)

Interesting, and I can see why they wouldn't want people to know that. I only use it for my CDP though, so in that regard, it keeps me quite happy.

 

[Resident Loser]

And in your app...

I only use it for my CDP though, so in that regard, it keeps me quite happy.

...I would guess it's perfect...

The only owners manual I could download was at the Marantz Germany site...und mien Deutsch ist ferchschtinken und kaput...luckily the pictographs tell alles...

I think there used to be a guy from M-S who posted here...I really wish he'd get back to the Marantz folks concerning the error of their ways...

jimHJJ(...I know at least two folks who'd buy one in a snap...)

P.S. It would also be nice if they offered the modded "KI"(Ken Ishiwata) version AND the Champagne finish that they have in the European version of the unit...BUT NO...most of us occidentals have to be stuck with the "HT black-and-boring" stuff...Friggin' marketing!!!

 

[Sleestack]

I like using integrated amps on my secondary systems. For under $1K I highly recommend the Denon PMAIVR2000. Great integrated amp. I also use an Onix SP3. Right now I'm looking into the new offerings from DK.

 

[cornelius]

I heard the DK/Von Schweikert VR4 jr combo. I liked the DK - definetely can take on some seperates.

 

[anamorphic96]

I started with receivers but once I heard my first NAD integrated I was hooked. I never listen to the radio.

But if I did I would just pick up a tuner at a pawn shop for 40 bucks. It's scary what you can find at pawn shops sometimes.

 

[nm2285]

My system is centered around my NAD C370. I love that machine! I'm a big fan of the fact that whenever I decide to upgrade to surround sound (no plan in the near future), I can use it as a separate amp and I'll have a very beefy power supply to use on my main channels. Love that thing!

Oh yeah...tuners are so cheap used its not even funny. I bought an adcom preamp off ebay for $75 and that took care of my phono pre and my tuner.

 

[Rob Babcock]

I like using integrated amps on my secondary systems. For under $1K I highly recommend the Denon PMAIVR2000. Great integrated amp. I also use an Onix SP3. Right now I'm looking into the new offerings from DK.

Holy cow! Sleestack and I use the same integrated- I have the Onix, too. I feel rich!

Just flippin' you some friendly crap, Slee.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Are there any fans of integrated amps here? I must admit to a sneaking regard for them. No, I wouldn't want to build my main system around one, but I like them just the same.

Probably my admiration for them dates back to the 80's. As a kid I lusted after a Carver 1.0t amp and C-1 preamp, or even a C-4000 if my ship really came in. I never did manage to get one, but in the late 80's I did score a Carver CM-1090, brand new. It was a pretty beefy sounding 100 wpc integrated amp with Sonic Holography and a remote. Although it was no 1.0t, it drove my Infinity SM 150+'s to near-concert levels.

Fast forward to 2005. In my main rig, I have virtually no use for 2CH at all. So that doesn't leave much room for the good ol' integrated. Oh, sure- there's one or two MC int's on the market, but they're rare. Still, for my 2nd system and integrated is tough to beat. I love the simplicity and elegance of them- everything I really need and nothing I don't. It's spare, almost spartan, but has a sorta Feng Shui or something.

Anyone else care to sing the praises of the humble integrated amp?

Nothing wrong with them at all if one will meet your audio needs and can do without a tuner. Or, if you want a great FM tuner, that may be the way to go as tuners in receivers are not very good

 

[Geno]

Integrated Amps

I, too bought my first "serious" audio components in 1976. Got a Sansui AU-9500 with the matching TU-9500 tuner. God, what a beast... still have them in the bedroom, still work great after disassembling and cleaning the volume control and a couple of the switches. These beauties still look great. Even though I've moved on to multichannel stuff, I'd never part with the Sansuis...probably since no one would give me what I'd consider their worth.

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

Before I blew it up, I had a Pioneer 110 watt integrated amp back in the late 70s. Nice hefty piece of gear.

Are there any 5.1 home theater integrated amps? I don't see them talked about or advertised much. Nor have I looked into it. It seems receivers dominate the market.

And wouldn't they be cheaper since they have one less component inside (the tuner)?

 

[Rob Babcock]

I think that Theta makes a 5.1 ch integrated, as does Thule. I'm not sure if there's much of any budget type unit out there, though. To me, a tuner is almost irrelevant as there's only one good station that I listen to. I get Minnesota Public Radio, a fantastic all-classical station. But since I always have it on in my car I usually don't listen to it at home.