2. amps-preamps
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Can't decide on Integrated Amp - Please Help

Hi, really trying to find the best deal I can on a used integrated amp. My current set up is

Monitor Audio RX6 speakers
Oppo 105

Looking for a strong integrated that if I wish to upgrade my speakers will easily handle the change.

Looking at spending no more than $3,000 for a used example and would love some help. I stream most of my music through the Oppo instead of CD's and listen to a lot of Pink Floyd, Dave Matthews, Sting etc

Few choices i have outlined and really hard to be able to audition anything and would like it to match the speakers and Oppo well

Rega Elicit - R
Krell S550i
Hegel 200 or 300 if can afford (is the DAC much better than the 105)
Stello ai500
Saw a PLINIUS HAUTONGA Intergrated A but don't know too much about company.
Modwright 200

My room is around 15 x 15 with wood floors

Thanks in advance for help
simonmorty
joe_appierto
81 posts
 


Another possibility would be the conrad-johnson CA200. I own one so therefore I'm prejudiced but it did replace some more costly separates (also conrad-johnson) and I've been very pleased. There are a few available now on Audiogon within your budget. I'm not familiar with your speakers but I do have an Oppo 105D which I use almost exclusively with either external hard drives or solid state drives. so that's a common point of reference. I find the CA200 to be an excellent match with the rest of my system and it has simplified my life.

Just a thought.
hgeifman
2,128 posts
 
Another suggestion is the Ayre AX-7e Integrated amplifier. The amp sounds best when run in balanced mode. You can run balanced interconnects into your Oppo 105. See:

http://www.ayre.com/ax7e.htm

You might consider a pre-owned unit to keep the price down. I am using the Ayre AX-7e in my 2 channel home theater system and it is an outstanding amplifier.
drarmi
29 posts
 
I have both the H200 and H300 and have listened to both of them extensively. IMO, I don't think one neccesarily sounds better than the other but I do think they sound different. To me, and others, the 200 sounds warmer and a bit more subtle than the 300 which has a more forward, detailed sound. So I think it is a matter of taste. System is a MAC mini, Berkeley DAC 2, and Magico Mini II's Both of them drive the Mini II's quite well (can be challenging speakers to drive). My first experience with Hegel. Very impressed with their products. I have no experience with the others you mentioned.
larrystain
6 posts
 
Have you considered Pathos from Italy? It is both good sounding and stunning looking.
soix
9,388 posts
 
Some very good suggestions above, but recommendations would be much more targeted and meaningful if you told us what aspects of sound reproduction are most important to you and/or what you would like to improve upon.
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