It's Over...I'm selling my audio gear

My thought process for selling my gear and going with an integrated amplifier

[louissilvani]

I totally agree
It’s a hard expensive lesson to learn
But it’s been an adventure
I personally don’t regret it

[liteo]

As a kid, I grew up listening to music played on high-end audio equipment such as McIntosh, Audio Research, Nakamichi, Linn Sondek... my father was & still is an audiophile. I'm now a recording engineer specialising in classical music. The gear I own is a modestly-priced set-up of a cd player, an intergrated amplifier & a pair of speakers which I use to monitor the recordings I work on.

[frederickrodger]

I purchased an Accuphase E-480 last year and I cannot say enough positive things about it. It is not Class A but it has surpassed my expectations by a large margin. I have it driving a pair of Harbeth 7-xd speakers.

[markdoherty]

I use the Audiolab 8000a integrated amp which is great but a few years ago I added x2 Audiolab 8200p power amps thus using it as a pre-amp. Happy with the result!👍🏼

[davidread]

I went Integrated with a McIntosh MA6900 in 2006 and still listen to it, daily. I also have a vintage Luxman L309 in the bedroom that I simply love. This unit was produced in 1975 and still sounds gorgeous driving ADS 710s of the same approximate age. Dive in with reckless abandon, you won't regret it.

[amarketing]

I just went to monoblocks with separate preamp, phono stage and DAC from an integrated. I would not go back. I don’t feel any integrated amp can give you the same performance as using high quality separates.

[earlismarks]

Good luck with the search for minimal nirvana...for sure it's out there. 👍😃

[Unpreeeedictable]

There’s a lot to be said for simplicity. If you want an integrated amp with a built-in phono pre, I suggest making your decision based on the quality of the phono pre. Probably means Luxman.

[goaski]

Think about this - I was going to go the upgrade route and money wise actually wound up going the oppisite way. After auditioning the Buchardt Audio A500 because of a review by Darko, I sold everything off and bought these. No nothing except for the speakers on stands and a 5x4 streaming hub with remote. Superb sound.

[jaismohamad]

When my technics complete set was stolen, I totally stopped listening to hi fi.
When I retired I bought a Chinese made hybrid amp and a pair of wharfedales.
It is just great. The amp is cheap but it makes the wharfedales sing!
Software is through the internet. So one amp and a good set of speakers keep me satisfied.

[brish]

I did the same thing.
Replaced emotiva monoblocs and preamp with a Audiolab 6000A
Running Zu Omens with it and I’m very happy

[philipaparker]

Went with an integrated amp. Chose the Cambridge Audio CX81 and a pair of Totem Sky Towers and couldn't be happier. The CX81 lets me stream, has a built-in DAC, great Phono pre-amp (have the Alva TT from Cambridge). But have to say most everything is available over iTunes. So my record collection is being negleted. For me, this is pure listening enjoyment. Good luck finding your next integrated amp.

[wolfmanzz]

I’ve been minimalist since 1981! Sherwood receiver, TT, speakers, tape deck. But I also switch to my SAE Two A14 integrated amp with MM/MC phono, Tape 1+2, parametric tone controls. Designed by SAE, built by Luxman.

[cameronkrause]

2 years ago I bought the Denon pma1600ne. I have not regretted it, It has plenty of power 70 into 8 and 140 into 4. The built in DAC is fantastic. moving magnet and moving coil capable and even the headphone output is good. I am glad that I did not spend more because I think I bought the best bang for buck integrated there is, and it sounds fantastic

[mr.b]

I'm with you on this brother. I'm in my mid 60's and for many years had various stereo equipment racks with separates, equalizers, you name it. I got hooked on this when I was stationed in japan in the early 80's.. It seemed like every few months something bigger and better would come out. A year or so ago I looked at my system and it hit me. This crap is ugly! It sounds good but heats up the room among other things. I sold all that stuff and now I just have an Outlaw Audio RR 2160MkII receiver, Cambridge Audio Azure 851N, Rotel C11Tribute CD player, and Emotiva Airmotive T2+ speakers. All components are silver and It all sits horizontally on a a decent looking shelf/stand. No turntable, I got rid of that too and all those records. I use the Azure 851 to play FLAC files from an external USB SSD. The speakers aren't the nicest looking but they sound great. Sometimes, less is more. By the way, I am a jazz guitarist and listen mostly to jazz, so clarity and detail is very important to me.

[strannostrannovasrr]

Accuphase or Luxman make both very decent integrated amps.

[KenM]

I went from a pre-amp & power amp setup to a Luxman class A-B integrated amp. Zero regrets! I might like to upgrade to their class A, but right now it's not possible for me.

[johnbritton]

the grass is always greener.. Ive been back and forward a few times, but I came to the conclusion I was just trying to justify to myself buying new toys.

[bricedoan]

I use a Gryphon Diablo 300 integrated to drive my Thiel CS 3.7s with Cardas cabling, great combo.

[itsik_]

Luxman is a great choice! I went through the exact process and ended up with a Luxman L-507uXII. You can consider one of their lower wattage tube amps such as the LX-380
given your Zu's