Pairing with speakers

We listened to the Integro using different speakers. The Audio Physic Spark speakers have a nominal impedance of 4 ohms, and the Integro audibly has some trouble driving these. The soundstage sits between the speakers and the depth of the stereo image is limited. The sound balance is good and not sharp in highs and mids. The bass is somewhat swimming underneath the sound.

In Haarlem, the Integro is connected to the Sonus Faber Lumina speakers with Driade Flow 405 cable. Here the Integro sounds fresh and agile in mids and highs. It does get a bit sharp in the highs with the Lumina at some points. The Integro projects the soundstage outside the speakers, it certainly does not “stick” to the speaker, but again the soundstage sits mostly between the speakers. The bass does not reach very deep. There is a long reverb in diminishing piano notes, as in “Three Good Things” by Mammal Hands.
The playback has a friendly character; the Integro is certainly not harsh on the tracks.

We have the impression that the Integro also struggles a bit with the Luminas, so we connect the amp to the TAD Evolution 2 speakers. This is a price ratio between amplifier and speakers that is absolutely ludicrous, but the impedance behaviors of the TADs is friendlier than that of Sonus Faber Lumina speakers, and we hear it immediately.

Finding a pair of matching speakers with the Integro is not difficult, but you have to be careful with speakers that are not very constant in their impedance curve. Ask at a dealer for speakers that are friendly to drive. We recommend looking for speakers that are not too sharp in the highs, because it will be emphasised. A “bump” in the highs, like the Sonus Faber speakers have, is not a good match. It further pays to use decent speaker cable; the Integro clearly shows differences in cables.