I was considering going for a pre-power Musical Fidelity setup, but the M6si is basically that but in one box. So I’m happy enough with that. 220w is plenty power for my Triangles.
Well if ever you find yourself planning to pass through or near the Kendal area, give me a buzz. I’m there for a few days to a week most months and the FLS10 is driving my Posselt Albatrosses.Interesting Flash thanks. Must admit I’ve been looking at that amp. About 20 years ago I dem’d the DCS Debussy. I thought it was good but a bit bright. The dealer stuck on an Audia Flight CD player, which was in a different league. One of my top 3 stand out demo’s ever. I didn’t buy as I didn’t need a CD player….regretted ever since…
Ah, MOSFETs I believe. That’s an impressive amp/DAC right there. HiFi Corner appear to have an ex-demo one available… would love to hear this.We downsized from a KONDO Overture, which is a truly spectacular amplifier, to a norma IPA 70B. Although almost a tenth of the price, The norma is also a spectacular amplifier. We haven’t looked back!
I can only wonder how the FLS10 sounds... Even the entry level FL three S I got sounds really good. Rich yet detailed sound.I have the Audia Flight FLS10. A 36kg Class A beast with excellent optional DAC board fitted, fantastic connectivity (I also have the additional 2xRCA board) and a cracking headphone amp.
Check out Elite and Audio Emotion (quite a price discrepancy unless I'm misreading).
Absolutely stonking amp. I believe Mike @yoda900 still has my first one, sold under employment gap duress... and replaced as soon as my next gig came along.
http://www.audia.it/products/fls-8/integrated_amplifiers-11/f_l_s_10-19.html
"Library" pics as they say:
I'm seriously considering these Hegels too, though I'm not going from multiple boxes to an integrated, but from an all-in-one to a 2-box solution. The Mark Levinson 5802 / 5805 is also on my short-list as are a couple of AVMs.Try a Hegel H390 or H590 very good amps and have a great inbuilt DAC I can't rate these highly enough.
How are you enjoying the 866? I remember reading this review https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/boulder-866-integrated and thinking it was pretty much the ‘perfect’ amplifier!I haven’t “downsized”, but consolidated. Had Boulder 865 integrated and Hegel HD30 DAC.
Replaced both with Boulder 866 Integrated with optional DAC.
I’m interested in how the Linn Akurate fell short. I’m looking at alternatives in the future as Linn no longer make the Akurate. Recently tried a Chord Dac into a Quad pre but it lacked the open sound and the mid range was also lacking compared to the Linn. I presume that a very high quality pre is the answer?I recently did this, going from a source-power amp direct setup, to a high end integrated, and so far I'm over the moon.
Originally I had a Mark Levinson 390S CD into a 334 power amp and loved it for 20 years, but moving towards streaming I swapped the CD player for a Linn Akurate DSM3 which was poor by comparison, and didn't last more than 18 months with me.
I decided a proper pre was the way, so got a 5206 and sound-wise it's superb especially at lower volume where the Linn really fell apart. Unfortunately I had display faults and made me keep looking for alternatives. With some man maths applied and counsel from a fellow WAMMER, I decided to up the game to the 585.5 integrated, though the Gryphon Diablo 300 was also in the mix.
The ML integrated includes their better DAC and volume control, but my worry was that it wouldn't have the performance of the power amp. Suffice to say there was no need to worry (probably where 20 years of evolution come in).
I'm sure the new separate alternatives would be even better, especially for power isolation etc, but would be 3 times the price so that's a non starter. This feels like a slice of that tier for less outlay. It's stunning. Plus I need 1 less power cable and will be selling my interconnect soon which will help take the wallet sting out.
Having one remote and not having to walk over to turn the power amp on is an overlooked benefit as you near 50! The only obvious downside is that it's a bit wasteful with one source.
That's a long answer to a short question, but I've been vacillating over this for a long time as purchases of this level will likely be with you for many years they need to be thought through. That's my excuse anyway
I’m interested in how the Linn Akurate fell short. I’m looking at alternatives in the future as Linn no longer make the Akurate. Recently tried a Chord Dac into a Quad pre but it lacked the open sound and the mid range was also lacking compared to the Linn. I presume that a very high quality pre is the answer?
Really love it. Can’t quite imagine how much money I’d need to spend to upgrade it in a way that the sound would be better across the board.How are you enjoying the 866? I remember reading this review https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/boulder-866-integrated and thinking it was pretty much the ‘perfect’ amplifier!
Thanks! I saw Boulder there yesterday and that’s what intrigued me. Amazing designs just to look at.Really love it. Can’t quite imagine how much money I’d need to spend to upgrade it in a way that the sound would be better across the board.
Listened to 11xx series pre/power at UK HiFi Show Live and yes, it was better but at what cost. Also was happy to learn that the character of what I heard there and what 866 produces is similar - just more of everything in pre/power combo.
There was also 866 connected to, I believe, smallest YB speakers on offer - not ideal conditions but sounded still great considering the size of the speakers.Thanks! I saw Boulder there yesterday and that’s what intrigued me. Amazing designs just to look at.