![]() And also against the Jinro ( the Copper version and dramatically less expensive version of the Ongaku featured in the video below. I will be comparing the Meishu Tonmesiter integrated to the M6 Preamp (which I own) with a P3 Silver Tonemsiter (which is the power amp version of the Meishu Tonmeister). Interestingly, the dealer prefers the basic version to the more expensive silver version because while the silver has more hi-fi strengths - air and separation - it loses some of the midrange magic (he has not tried the Silver Sig version). If you can live with less power the Meishu is the better value IMO I have never been a fan of the 300B until the Tonmeister as I found the 300B a little too soft and vague and somewhat ill-suited for rock (though far more power and drive than the likes of the Cary 300B). The Tonmeister is the newer version and uses the Ongaku Power supply design. The Meishu runs $10k-25k depending on version and is the number one selling Audio Note amplifier that was designed by Guy Adams of Voyd Turntables for Audio Note. Still, I enjoyed my audition on Monday with the 300B Meishu Tonmeister (~10k) basic model. Not the top of the line anymore - the Legend runs $850,000 or so. Still, the best-sounding integrated amplifier I have auditioned. You gotta love the cheap ass box it comes in. My session with the Audio Note Meishu Tonmeister Phono (300B Integrated). I agree with some of their points - no tube cage - power switch on the back - packaging that is enough "barely" - I'd probably add that their remote controls (when it is offered) are cheap plastic remotes from the bargain bin while other brands are using thick metal remotes that if it lands on your toe will put you in the hospital.Ī follow up - Audio Excellence has done an unboxing video of the $150,000 USD Ongaku and $50,000 version of the AN E speakers. I have seen a few and they have been pretty negative in the past - I was a bit surprised by their take on Audio Note because it's not like the stuff they sell. These reviewers/dealers have done a number of reviews over the years. I'd still have them but I moved from Canada to Hong Kong - I almost bought another pair of AN Js when I got here but decided to be "different" and bought the E and I also rebought a pair of AN K speakers. I always liked the AN J - I never fussed much over them - just play all day and enjoy - not nitpicking soundstage depth or trying to tweak things to get more of this or more of that because I just enjoyed the music. I have used the term forest for the trees myself over the years where I find certain systems pick apart recordings better, but then also render the experience a little fatiguing because you're paying too close attention to individual traits and you miss the big picture. These three reviewers/dealers covered the combination (warts and all). Of course, none of the above applies if you are into vinyl, tubes, and low-wattage SET amps.Normally I would keep this in the Audio Note thread but as I owned the AN J/Spe for 13 years and Audio Note OTO integrated for the last 19 years and have auditioned the new entry-level Cobra integrated/DAC, I enjoy it when new people "discover" something I have liked for decades. Or use active speakers, for no visible amplifier footprint at all. Separating the power amp then creates opportunities for mono-block or multi-channel configurations, along with the smaller footprint of a modern power amp like the Benchmark AHB2. If you're already marrying source selection and volume control to your streamer/DAC, it is redundant to integrate these functions with the power amp as well. turntable, CD player, or dedicated streamer).Īt some point (say, the next 5-10 years) the integrated amp as we know it may be going the way of the stereo receiver. ![]() You'll need to pair one of these with a good power amp, but the resulting total cost (and box-count) could wind up in about the same territory as you'd get with an integrated amp and source (e.g. Others include the NAD Masters M33, Matrix Audio Element series, iFi Pro iDSD, and Bryston BDA 3.14. The Cambridge Audio Edge NQ, for example. For about $5K or less, there are many good products that integrate streaming, D-A conversion, and pre-amp capabilities (volume control and source-switching). Therefore, it may make sense to focus the integration farther up the chain. However, in the world of digital streaming systems, the part that really matter to SQ and functionality isn't so much the power amp but the pre-amp, along with the DAC. The term "integrated" traditionally has been short for "integrated amplifier".
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