Opinion/Experience

[heiney9]

Anybody had any expeiences with the Acurus DIA-100 integrated? DIA stands for Direct Input Amplifier as the pre-amplifier is a completely passive stage. 100w into 8 ohms and 150 into 4 ohms.

Talked my bro into buying it to run his Lsi 7's on the computer rig. The Adcom GCA-510 which is the same kind of design (integrated w/ a passive line stage pre-amp section) but just not quite enough balls to run the Lsi's at higher volumes (50w into 8 ohms 80 watts into 4 ohms).

It was an impulse buy and from what I've read it's a nifty little integrated. Now I can get the GCA-510 from him and possibly his Lsi 7's as he bought some Lsi 9's a few hours ago also as an impulse buy.

Just looking for comments about this integrated or Acurus (Mondial) gear in general.

H9

[jon s]

How does your brother like the Acurus? I am in the process of buying a DIA-100 myself and am wondering how it sounds and whether it has enough power.

[heiney9]

Absolutely loves it. A very very nice unit for not a lot of $$$. That was my 2nd choice for my computer rig. I had a line on one about a year ago for $175 shipped which was an awesome deal.

The whole idea of a passive line stage pre section appeals to me. It's a fairly large unit. I ended up getting a rare Adcom integrated amp that also uses a passive line stage pre section.

You won't be disappointed

H9

[jon s]

Thanks... I am considering this amp as well as a Nakamichi PA-5 Stasis amp. I was given a PA-5 but I would need to buy a Nakamichi CA-5 preamp to run it (well, I would like to keep the components matched). i can get the DIA-100 $300 shipped to Hawaii ($175 + $125 shipping (it's tuff living in Hawaii)). i want to run it with the Polk RTA-12C which presents a difficult load because of its low impedance. My normal amps run out of current real quick driving this speaker compared to my Model 10s...

[heiney9]

Thanks... I am considering this amp as well as a Nakamichi PA-5 Stasis amp. I was given a PA-5 but I would need to buy a Nakamichi CA-5 preamp to run it (well, I would like to keep the components matched). i can get the DIA-100 $300 shipped to Hawaii ($175 + $125 shipping (it's tuff living in Hawaii)). i want to run it with the Polk RTA-12C which presents a difficult load because of its low impedance. My normal amps run out of current real quick driving this speaker compared to my Model 10s...

Actually you don't have to run it with a CA-5. I have a CA-5 (which is a killer pre) and I run it with my Adcom. If aesthetics are extremely important then I guess so.

The PA-5 is a very nice amp. It has very nice "tube like" highs and and a very liquid mid range, but it lacks a bit in the bottom end. It's powerful enough; it's just a bit soft in the lower regions for my taste. I encourage you to get a pre-amp and listen to the PA-5. If you watch CA-5's can be had fairly cheaply. There are a couple on audiogon right now but, IMO, they are a little overpriced.

I love my CA-5 and it's going to take a lot for me to replace it.

H9

[jon s]

looks like we have similar tastes...

[jon s]

okay, I bit the bullet and bought the DIA-100, shud be here in about two weeks. See what the amp can really do. Jeez, spent way too much money this summer, $300 on the SDA-1B, $450 on the Monitor 10 (including crossover upgrade and new RDO194s), $650 on the RTA-12Cs (crossover upgrade and new RDO194s again) and the Acurus DIA-100 for $300, I am also bidding on a NIB Nakamichi CA5 pre-amp to match the PA5 Stasis power amp and some other Polk drivers. Blowing about $2,000 this summer so far... ouch!!!