If you could, you would....

[Bob257]

If you were to spend $8500-$9500 on a new integrated amp from the following, which would you choose, and more importantly, WHY!!?? McIntosh 8900, Luxman 509ux, or Mark Levinson 5805. Something else? I love my speakers, Focal 1028be, turntable Rega P6 with Exact II MM cartridge, and my CD player Marantz 6006, and don't want to change them out. My current integrated is the Yamaha a-s801. Would one of the "better" amps give better sound? Looking forward to your answers.

 

[Verdinut]

More expensive amps could give better sound but it all depends. Take two good popular brand amplifiers and drive speakers with both, provided that they both have decent specs, are both a good match with the speakers, if both are driven within their limits, you shouldn't hear any difference. IMO, the Yamaha A-S801 has excellent specs and represents a sound investment. The company has a solid reputation for reliability of its products:

Yamaha A-S801 Integrated Amplifier Review

The Yamaha A-S801 is an honestly rated 100 watt/ch integrated amplifier with a built in high resolution USB-B DAC to power a serious dedicated two-channel or upscale PC system with pristine fidelity.

www.audioholics.com

It's no use spending enormous sums on amplifiers. Purchase decently priced amps and use the saved money to get improvement on another element of your system. You would always find an improvement with better speakers with which there would be a very appreciable difference. You already have good speakers. Keep your money for something else.

 

[Out-Of-Phase]

Hello Bob,

You have a very nice integrated amp already. You are good to go.

Save your money and enjoy the music.

 

[Pogre]

You are well covered for amplification. If you're really looking for an audible sonic upgrade it's gonna come from speakers. With the ones you have its gonna be tough to beat without shelling out some bucks, but I'd do that before I'd spend it on amplification without a 2nd thought. If I had your money I'd be looking at Salk, Revel, KEF, RBH... there are other makers of truly great speakers out there. Any one of those might have one you prefer over your Focals.

You really do already have a nice rig. You're well at the point of diminishing returns, especially with the electronics. Not a bad problem to have, lol.

 

[lovinthehd]

I'd consider separates over an integrated amp if you want to throw money at things....but that Yamaha is a good unit already.

 

[PENG]

I have the same speakers. I used my 4BSST with it for a few years but now just a pair of Marantz separates rated only 140 W. If you sit no further than 4M, even an AVR such as the 3600 will be fine. The S-801 is nice but is basically a stripped AVR. So if only to feel good, like HD said, may as well get a pair of separates. I would not use integrated for a serious stereo system, but that's a personal choice.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If you absolutely must have integrated amps, Yamaha is also coming out with the new integrated amps - AS3200 and AS2200.

A-S3200 Integrated Amplifier - Yamaha USA

In the pursuit of innovation and musicality, Yamaha presents its flagship integrated amplifier – the A-S3200, a new benchmark in high-fidelity audio.

usa.yamaha.com

A-S2200 Integrated Amplifier - Yamaha USA

Fit for the global stage, the Yamaha A-S2200 integrated amplifier delivers an elegant and emotional Hi-Fi sound. Absolute musicality from a luxuriously beautiful instrument.

usa.yamaha.com

But personally I would just get a flagship pre-pro and amp or flagship AVR.

 

[Gmoney]

You are well covered for amplification. If you're really looking for an audible sonic upgrade it's gonna come from speakers. With the ones you have its gonna be tough to beat without shelling out some bucks, but I'd do that before I'd spend it on amplification without a 2nd thought. If I had your money I'd be looking at Salk, Revel, KEF, RBH... there are other makers of truly great speakers out there. Any one of those might have one you prefer over your Focals.

You really do already have a nice rig. You're well at the point of diminishing returns, especially with the electronics. Not a bad problem to have, lol.

Winner winner chicken dinner Nuff said, Pogre’s drops mic walks off stage. @Porge, well stated bro Bravo!