I agree the ARC i50 is a great integrated. On the solid state side, as a second amp I have Hegel H190 which is really good. The streaming capability to my ears sounds great. I mostly spin vinyl and cd's. But the little Hegel holds an emotional place in my listening.
Integrated Amps
I'm debating whether to upgrade my Marantz integrated with a better performing and higher powered integrated or simply add a separate amp and use the Marantz as a pre-amp. I've looked at stepping up to the Marantz model 30 or 40n, PS Audio Stellar Strata, Music Fidelity M5si/M6si. But then the Heaven 11 Billie caught my eye.
Has anyone had any experience with the Heaven 11 Billie integrated amp? It's a hybrid class D amp w/ a tubed pre-amp. The reviews I've watched seem to give the unit high marks for sound quality, presentation, sound stage, and because of the tubed pre-amp, an analog warmth to the otherwise "cold" sound of a class D amp.
https://heaven11audio.com/billie2-amp-features-specs/?v=7516fd43adaa
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- 72 posts total
@gano I actually agree with you on this. I stopped listening to his nonsense long ago! |
Good to know no one is disparaging the video editor of the Absolute Sound like they do with Andrew Robinson, whose video I grabbed in order to put in another perspective. Don't let that deter anyone interested in a highly performing integrated such as the Technics SU-G700M2. You can all now go back to the rock throwing. All the best, |
Lots of great advice everyone! I do appreciate it. I've been doing more research the last couple of days and taking closer looks at the NAD c399, MF MSi6, Hegel H95, PS Audio Stellar Mk2, Rogue Sphinx V3, and a few others. The speaker upgrade I'm currently leaning towards are the Monitor Audio silver 300 7Gs and then determine my integrated amp option. 100 wpc minimum with adequate digital inputs, with a headphone amp. A phono stage isn't a deal breaker but an HDMI for TV connection would be a plus. |
- 72 posts total