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Critic's Corner Discuss a review. Provide constructive feedback. Talk to the industry. |
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Critic's Corner Discuss a review. Provide constructive feedback. Talk to the industry. |
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In Reply to: Stereophile class “A†integrated’s - are they held up to the same standard? posted by Mike in NJ on January 6, 2010 at 08:27:17:
Mike in NJ,
Regarding your question: Are Stereophile “A”-rated integrated amplifiers of the same quality as “A” separate components, “Frank I” seems to have actually answered the question. The most sensible way is to only compare and rank components with their own kind. After all, comparing a surround sound processor to a tuner to an audio rack, to a speaker to a power conditioner, to a CD player to a headphone amplifier- you get the idea- is discussing the quality of solutions to completely different functions.
So, the top tier of that piece of gear reviewed in that category get an "A" and so on. One can see this critical categorization working by noting that as new products arise and there are further reviews the list is revised- most often an “A” thing gets to be a “B”, but any revision does not affect the rating of other categories- e.g. if a stunningly perfect preamplifier pops up, it doesn't make some DAC move to class "B".
Of course, I can see where there are some useful comparisons- and a well-organised Battle of the Separates vs. Integrated would be extremely useful, especially as there does seem to be a new trend for integrated. This would be a valid comparison as all the included components are functioning as amplifiers.
Integrated Amplifiers:: As strongly as I think of preamplifiers as the "soul" of an audio system- I'm definitely overly "preamp-centric"- but in my view integrateds are the wave of the future. The thing is, it's possible to get very refined sounds from solid state- for me the Audio Research 100.2 was ground-breaking- the first solid state power amplifer that could pry me away from tubes and the ARC 2 X 6H30 line stages like the LS26 are uncomfortably good for traditionalists like myself who has over 100 NOS 6DJ8 family tubes waiting to go to work.
Aside: Among the first audio components I remember was the Scott 299 tube integrated my father built as a kit when I was 7. [That System: Garrard Type-A turntable, Roberts 990 R2R, Sherwood tube tuner, University Speakers (sim. AR-3's)]. Fond memories of that integrated as it was this system where I fist heard Rubenstien play Chopin, Gould play Bach, Segovia play Villa-Lobos, and Callas sing Puccini.
I don’t know the economics of construction, but it would seem likely that the big savings between preamps and separares would be in having one chassis, one faceplate/controls, and perhaps there are economies in power supplies. Others have mentioned the savings of fuss and expense of the preamp > power amp interconnects and this has to be true. In my previous office system Audio Research LS3 > D130 (1996) the interconnects in 2005 (Audioquest King Cobra) retailed for almost 1/2 the price of the used LS3 ($500).
Actually, though I’ve never heard them, by reputation those cute little Jolida hybrids seem like a very good pattern to follow: some carefully considered tubes in the front and well designed solid state making the power- a tube preamp and solid state power amp in one convenient chassis. How about a 100W remote control, 2 X 12AX7, five input 1501 for $725- and which doesn’t take a lot of space:
http://www.newtube.com/content/jd1501rc-jolida-100-watt-hybrid-amp
And this tube/solid state configuration seems to be well on it's way. While the Jolida has been doing this for awhile- 5 years?- 7?- Audio Research last year began with their hybrid power amplifier, the HD220. With 2- 6H30's and 2- 6922's. It's 220W for $9,000, so not cheap, but a REF 210 with 210W lists for nearly $20,000. And, think of the retubing savings: a 220W tube amp would run 16- 6550's plus other small tubes that could cost $1,200 to fully retube at ARC every 3-4 years. In only 28 years, the solid state output makes the amplifier comparatively free !
Product concept for ARC: Saw off the front of an "LS19" (with some trickle-down REF5 technology for good measure) and weld it to an "HD180" - $5,000. Or, go retro and add an "HD140" behind an SP3 with the tone controls removed,...
Hey man, let’s all do some stuff and get seriously integrated ,..
Cheers,
Bambi B
[Bam-plification at home> ARC: SP8, SP10, LS3, D115, D130, McIntosh: MX110, MC240, Marantz: 2235, 2275, Fisher 800, Dynaco PAS3, ST70, EICO HF-12, Peavey VMP-2 (mic pre)]
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Follow Ups
- It seems each category of gear has a separate standard / reference - Bambi B 01/13/1000:44:15 01/13/10 (0)
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