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Integrated amp + DAC + room correction all-in-one for Nola Boxer 1 + REL R328 sub

Dear forum,

I’m looking to upgrade my integrated amp + external DAC source to an all-in-one integrated amp + DAC + room correction box. Budget to $2500, may stretch to $2800 if super-compelling.

I currently use a Creek 5350se integrated amp, with external DAC input from a Yamaha RX-V773 AVR (TI/Burr-Brown PCM1681 DAC chip on whatever circuit Yamaha cooked up).

Loudspeakers are Nola Boxer 1 on Dynaudio Stand 4, and REL R328 sub connected by Neutrix cable to main L/R binding posts on amp. Loongg runs of ProWire speaker and Neutrix cables through crawlspace to loudspeakers / sub.

Music = classical + opera, electronic, new & old rock, alternative, trap, house

Room is 18’ x 12’ x 13’h average ceiling height (2808 cu feet), hardwood floors, random furniture objects. Speakers 6’ apart, REL sub in corner to right of right speaker, listening position 8’ from center of speaker axis.

Requirements (but will flex if compelling):

  1. one box, no separates: amp + DAC and ideally + room correction
  2. ethernet-in on DAC circuit <= can be talked out of this if sensible alternatives
  3. ’classic’ & useful front-plate design <= no NuPrime IDA-16
  4. simple, solid, non-stupid remote <= again, no NuPrime. Rogue doesn’t get hi marks here either
  5. known affinity with Nola Boxer 1 a huge plus

Here are units I’m researching in DESC order of coveting-ness:

  • Hegel H190 <= yes $4K USD srp, will stretch to $2800 to buy used
  • Parasound HINT6 Halo <= ESS Sabre32 Reference ES9018K2M DAC, new product, no reviews/track-record. No ethernet-in either. Will stretch to $2800 for used ... and probly have to wait a long time for that.
  • Creek Evolution 100A <= no ethernet-in. Eventual poor reliability experience with my existing Creek 5350se, which used a lo-quality ALPS input switch, which is failing
  • Micromega M-100 <= will stretch to $2800 for used. No ethernet-in afaict.
  • Rogue Cronus Magnum II <= reviews suggest cheap-feeling remote. No ethernet-in.
  • Yamaha A-S801 <= ’budget’ solution at $900 USD, ESS Sabre ES9010K2M DAC circuit. Needs Yamaha wireless connector for ethernet-in. May not have room correction?

All helpful feedback appreciated including units I haven’t considered. Relatedly, I’m wondering how much I’d give up if I went the ’budget’ route (Yamaha A-S801).
usery
usery OP
131 posts
 
I use a Bluesound Vault2 ethernet-in then spdif out to 2170

Thanks uberwaltz for the alternative. For .flac files on NAS I use ethernet-in on Yamaha RX-V773 AVR then out to Creek amp over Audioquest Sydney RCA cables. T/I Burr-Brown PCM1681 DAC circuit in the AVR ... not the most discerning but it does the job.

I’m seeing the 2170 is 170w into 4 ohms - presumably 85w into 8 ohms? Wondering how that will drive Nola Boxer 1’s - I’ve seen comments suggesting Boxer 1’s do best with a bit more horsepower. Though they seem to do just fine with my Creek 5350se at 90w into 8 ohms ... 2170 would probly be fine too.

Micromega is amazing sounding...Has everything you want
Thank you audiotroy for the patient recommending of the Micromega - the M100 is on my short list. I do wonder about long-term performance, reliability and company staying-power. Have seen nothing suggesting any shortfalls, I just don’t see much intel or track-record out on the interwebz.

edit: on closer look, I am concerned about the weird rear case design - that overhang looks like a real obstruction for easy access to one’s connections to the amp.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
OP
I too was initially concerned on what I termed low power rating of the 2170, after all I was moving from a BAT VK-600SE which was 300w x2 at 8 ohm!
I need not have worried at all although the only speakers I have driven have all been fairly benign loads, electrostatics maybe a little more challenging.
95db room level volume is VERY easily achieved...lol
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,807 posts
 

Micromega seems pretty stable these days. The overhang really is no big deal

The M100 or M150 just got a rave review


kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
Dave, what's you take on the Micromega MyDAC?

[OP: Sorry for a quick tangent.]
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@usery

I'd like to get this phase of my audiophile OCD over with in one shot, and not mosh about it any further in this lifetime.

Thanks for your direct response. Since you would like to be one-and-done, my advice is to save up for the right-for-you and 'long lasting' solution. 

Given your current budget, you will be leaving too much off the table (my opinion). 

My target for what you are trying to accomplish, would be 3X your budget (given the current offerings). Further, since a LAN input is a requirement...the upside of waiting is (in the future) more options to choose from.

If you need to make a decision now (at or just above your budget) I'd forego Room Correction and Ethernet In for an integrated with DAC option/module.

All the best with your search and choices. 
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