I think to most people, something like a PassLab’s is the high end, and something to aspire to. Your class 1 stuff is just something fun to read about. It’s like a Lamborghini we know will never own one. How about a three part video series on amps that most people can afford 2-6 grand, like Bryston, Coda, McCormack, Odyssey, Van Alstine etc

Spent a Saturday afternoon, auditioning the Classe Delta Pre and Mono-blocks hooked up to a pair of KEF Blade speakers. I have my nits of course, but they were more with the short comings of the KEFs, the amps and pre were hard for me to find anything to fault. Overall, it was very pleasant afternoon.

You always knock Pass Labs for running hot I listen with my ears, not a thermometer 🌡️ Additionally, I live in a loft and positioned one of my AC Vents to be directed at my Pass Lab amps. This helps keep them cooler. Also, we agree with the level of customer service is second to none. I have purchased amps that failed under warranty and it was a nightmare getting one of the world's largest manufacturers to stand behind their product. So I will take a product that sounds fantastic with fantastic service that runs hotter than most

I totally agree on the reliability of Japanese Audio Equipment! I still have a hybrid integrated amplifier from Luxman LV105 circa Mid Eighties that got me through some rough times and it still functions admirably with only 2 changes of tubes since the original purchase date! I hope their new mono blocks will elevate them to a Higher Fidelity Level! Thanks Jay and Mike for the enlightenment!

Jay would you be able to put together a video of best amp at various price points, bottom to top? That being said, these videos are very valuable, thank you for doing this.

Just picked up a vintage? Classe CA-300 stereo amp locally. Would agree with it being on the warmer side but very nice sounding upgrade 👌.

Would love to see you do a tier list with speakers as well!

Great video again Jay! I think that Japanese brands like luxman accuphase they represent super good deal and reliable products at their price range, in Asia they are a lot cheaper and we hardly see overall SQ better than them at their price. But I think they do have some drawbacks in common, the speed, they somehow sound slower, or has longer response time to start a note.

Had McIntosh for 7-8 years, recently picked up a Luxman 590axII Class A intergraded, Wow, what a piece of gear for the money. Keeping this forever. 😎

Hey Jay I’ve been looking for a super integrated amp. So far I’ve listened to pass 250, gryphon 300, bolder866, solution 530 and audio net humboult. And to my ears the audio net is the best. Still gotta listen to vitus sia030 so I’ll keep you posted. So far I would put them in the order named. So just saying you need to spread your idea of “what’s best” a little more, as I think if that’s each product providers “best” of integrated then maybe spread your wings!

this is quite a hifi journey to me and nice to hear rave about the Japanese quality control for brands such as Luxman Accuphase Classe ,have you anything good to say about Denon as well

Thanks Jay - Next up, tubes please! Then preamps...then speakers...then digital!

How would you compare the Bryson SST 2 version and the new Classe Amps and Pre amps? I own the 4B sst 2 amp and the BP 20 Pre amp and am very happy.

Would love it if you'd cover the AHB2 if you can get hold of one. I think your experience and resultant judgement is very good Jay.

Hi Jay, can you discuss and elaborate on Hegel products? I'm keen to hear your opinions on this.

Great video Jay and Mike. I've have classe CP 800 pre amp with CA D200 Power amp with B&W 805d for years now. The classe I have was made in China not Canada. Never had any issues with it. They sound good! But recently I have been thinking of trying something different.

jay is there a video you you talk about the parasound jc1+?

The Classe delta seemed pretty good in my brief encounter.

You BOTH have outdone yourselves... I LOVE THIS SERIES 🙂👍...tied for the best audio related videos on KZfaq !

Jay, Any thoughts on AudioNet?

Glad to see Hegel made this list, albeit post production graphics. I just purchased the H390 with a pair of Vandersteen TreoCT's. I am not a techno-geek but what I love about this pairing is mid-level volume (which is pretty loud) and can still have a normal conversation. It has lush base, no glare and a nice definition of strings(especially acoustic). My Wife and I sat together on the couch last weekend for 5 hours re-discovering old favorites as never heard before (with zero fatigue). Looking forward to your next video.

I’m looking for an integrated (due to space and room size), and I want one that can have a dac, must have some class a, and be of a proportion that fits in a rack. I gotta a feeling that the vitus may be “the one for me” at that price level. You get “drip down” from better components (above the integrated chosen) at a reasonable price.

Bel Canto so excellent. New EX series is unreal. Japan. Integra. For a few years they ALL melted down.

I presumed you'd have squeezed Accuphase in there

Have you Tried the Boulder 866 yet? An integrated comparison (

Thank you for your videos, I have Dynaudio heritage specials - I have 3 options for Amps Pass lab int60 Luxman 590mk2 Luxman 509 Which would you choose 13x17 room Thanks - hope You answer

Glad to hear you mention Bel Canto, Jay. I've been using a Black Ex integrated for the past 3 years and it's easily the best component I've ever owned (also the most expensive, haha). At 15k, it's the entry level to the Black lineup, but immense bang for the buck. And you don't need a forklift to move it around. Big, heavy and "costs as much as a new car" does not mean better. Although gear like that is obviously fun to play with -- as you illustrate.

The intro is so loud compare to the discusion that my drivers almost went out of the boxes... Not audiophile at all thx for adrressing this problem and thx for the vid.

I wonder how this list would change with blind demos. Just saying, not judging.

Rowland, Coda, Chord, Levinson???

Best value for money pass 250 int.

So safe to say that brands like Mcintosh, Audio Research, Bryston, Hegel, Naim, all bottom tier then?

Audio Nightline ....!

$2.5ish SST-Son of Ampzilla built by W4S runs average 120 to 140 with magnepan 20.7s

It's so funny when someone who said number of times, "I am not tech guy" talks about tech stuff with confidence, like 4 times of capacitance will change bass grip.

ROTFLMAO! Calling Pass Labs a value brand is hilarious. There's a lot of bullshit going on here. I'll bet good money you put these two in a room blind-folded with different amps on the same speakers, they could not with any degree of accuracy or certainty tell you which brand of amp it is, even between only two or three. This is the kind of elitist nonsense you find in this industry that is just a turn off.