+1 on the Rogue Audio Sphinx - 1 or 2 . Version 1 is obviously less costly and the phono was not nearly as quiet as the 2 . I have had and enjoyed both . Still have the 2 . You don't need the phono but maybe you will like the Rogue better and will sell the Schitt. If not then don't use it. Used it fits your budget and power needs. Runs cool and is as simplistic a line level gets.
Basic integrated amp for $700-$900
I’m thinking of selling my tube integrated amp to downsize my system to a more convenient form and function.
I’ll keep my Schiit Audio phono and DAC, so I’m looking for a basic line level 80-100 watt integrated amp with a Silver faceplate.
The Musical Fidelity M2si has my attention and is on sale. Is it any good, or should I look elsewhere?
The Vincent Audio SV 500 tube/SS is also on sale and has my attention too but is only 50 watts, but still may be doable.
What other recommendations do you have?
I’ll keep my Schiit Audio phono and DAC, so I’m looking for a basic line level 80-100 watt integrated amp with a Silver faceplate.
The Musical Fidelity M2si has my attention and is on sale. Is it any good, or should I look elsewhere?
The Vincent Audio SV 500 tube/SS is also on sale and has my attention too but is only 50 watts, but still may be doable.
What other recommendations do you have?
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- 32 posts total
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F173780100200 It's a little above your budget, however this amp smokes the Sphinx V2, and many others in the $1K category. It's not even close. I owned both for a fair amount of time. You have to step up to $2500 integrateds like the Parsound Halo to match the sound quality of these Sonys. These 39lb. beasts are built like tanks - even the bottom plate is thicker than that of some $5K integrateds, and I'd swear the binding posts rotate on ball bearings - the best binding posts I've used by far. The noise floor of these units (like many Japanese brands) is incredibly low, thanks to the floating ground design. You won't find that low a noise floor in 90% of other offerings (I went through an integrated swapping phase for almost 2 years). It meets all your criteria: silver face plate, no unecessary frills, no DAC or phono stage. Also allows for power-on via remote control - a feature you don't realize you want/need until you no longer have it. The same goes for remote volume control, any integrated that doesn't have that might as well be a paperweight IMO. The only real downside is they run quite warm so they need plenty of venting space. |
Is it a disadvantage if you get any integrated with an on board dac and phono stage? Like, would you take a much lower quality silver face plate integrated for the same $ as a higher quality, better sounding integrated with an on board dac and black faceplate. Are you aware that you don’t have to use the on board dac if you don’t want to? |
- 32 posts total