2. amps-preamps
  3. 164061-3105

Looking for a ‘’No braine’r Integrated amplifier under 7500 or so

hello all!

I’m looking for ideas on a ‘slam dunk’ flexible high value solidly performing INTEGRATED amp for an office system, but one that for a while can be my ‘go to’ or primary unit and is a bit above entry level.

preference is to buy new, but preowned in the right scenario works for me as well.

Pesently I’m starting all over in amassing gear and felt to initiate the project by wading into the water slowly.

I have on hannd remnants of my former   efforts in a then very good line stage preamp and DAC, though the DA age is showing and well behind current popular trends  and support for new formats.

also on hand are some ‘so so’ amps, and several pairs of speakers and I just added a Blue Sound Noede 2I.

ultimately I see nearly everything being replaced but felt starting with a very nice Integrated seems as good a starting point as any.

topology is as such, not too too imoportant. decent power however is key as speakers being paired here are as yet unknown. likelyhood here is a pair of monitors and a sub.

the music playback will likely be streaming from providers and NAS files.

Aesthewtix Mimas has peaked my interest currently. and having owned bAT their INT is interesting too. apart from these two I’m wide open to suggestions on current one box amp solutions..

glass or sand power here makes little difference apart from thereafter mating speakers to the INT power constraints..

your thoughts, and expieriences here are vastly appreciated. THX
blindjim
joey54
434 posts
 
As others have said you really need to pick out the speakers before you choose an amplifier. I am a big fan of the Aesthetix Mimas with the internal DAC card. I have used the Mimas with a pair of Harbeth SHL5+ and my current speakers, Vandersteen Treo CT's. It has been the best amplifier I have used for sheer musical enjoyment. The musicality of this amp keeps me up late many nights. It's impossible to concentrate on anything else while the music is playing.

You have gotten some really good recommendations on this thread and I urge you to listen to as many of these amps as you can. Only you will know which one is right for you as we all hear things differently and have different listening priorities. Good Luck!
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,464 posts
 
I also do like the Linear Tube Audio integrated amps on the tube side but your speaker choices will be more limited there.

Personally, I am a speakers first kind of guy whenever possible. Get the speakers that will serve you well in your room. Consider dispersion patterns among other common factors used in picking speakers.

Though starting with a quality amp that offers good value and can drive anything is also a valid way to go. I don’t necessarily want to have to change my amp everytime I change speakers.

A lot has to do with expectations.....what sounds good to you. Do you like only one flavor of sound best or many? Or not even sure? Its a very personal thing.

Regardless, modern high quality integrated amps take away a lot of the guesswork because everything is integrated for you to deliver a particular flavor of sound well. Lot’s of recent technical innovations that make integrateds a more attractive choice now than ever before.

Myself, I find many flavors I like very much each with +s and -s so that heavily influences how I think about these things. There is no "ultimate sound" that fits the bill for all.
wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
1,085 posts
 
I like tubes, Here’s something beautiful to look at and has a lifetime warranty. As ebay takes around 13% you have headroom to negotiate (as in call them).

As you will be using monitors and a sub why not KISS. Toss out (sell) all the other stuff.

Get something like a PS Audio Stellar Strata or a Naim all in one


dinov's avatar
dinov
846 posts
 
McIntosh 
hshifi
572 posts
 
Hello,
I know you have several speakers. You need to pick one or two and give the models. I know you have the KEF LS50 Meta. Great speakers. I would pick those. Plus KEF has the new matching sub KC62 for $1500.  With this speaker the lateral and horizontal movement won’t matter due to its design. The new sub is small but supposedly goes to 11hz. We will see. I say the Hegel 390 for $6000. The sub and the amp are $7500 together. The DAC inside the Hegel is awesome. I talked before about keeping our local shops alive. My local Hifi store in the Chicagoland area is 
https://holmaudio.com/  
They have several brands that were talked about above. Later get some good stands with isolation feet to take this system to the next level. 
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