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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
1graber2's avatar
1graber2
303 posts
 
I've always been interested in the MicroMega line, and many of their amps have been on sale the last year. 

A reputable audio shop in San Francisco has been showcasing Micromega the last few years. 

Glad the OP reached out to a new brand. Yamaha and the more commercial sellers make good products, but their are better products out there at that price point, eg. Micromega. 

@audiotroy  
thanks for all the info and suggestions, and Thank You for supporting the thread and giving suggestions to the OP. Wish they would have bought the Micromega from y'all so that the members could support the vendors, since the vendors support Agon.
happy listening everybody
usery OP
131 posts
 
Yamaha and the more commercial sellers make good products, but their [sic] are better products out there at that price point, eg. Micromega.

wrt 'that price point', the Yamaha A-S810 is a sub-$1K amp. If you're finding the Micromega M-100 on sale at even remotely close to that price, well, don't wait.
benb
34 posts
 
@usery - I'm jumping on the M100 bandwagon.  One minor aspect I'm having no luck with is - will the feet fit on a 15" deep shelf?  Simple question but very important for me to know :)  Thanks for any help.
benb
34 posts
 
Looking at the dimensions again, if the depth of the whole unit is about 14" I should be OK, but a corroboration would be nice.

djones51
4,947 posts
 
I just bought a micromega m100 with mars. I haven't set it up yet only did all the updates it seemed easier doing those in my office next to the computer. I needed something with room correction, my listening room is now my living room since moving to a patio home. Looks like it might a bit of a pain to hook everything up the overhang in the back is not user friendly using some sort of isopods or something to raise it as audiotroy suggested looks advisable.The depth including the overhang on mine is 13 3/4 inches. Not sure if that would matter on a 15 inch shelf. 
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