2. amps-preamps
  3. 131907-88446

Mid grade Integrated amp choices

Currently, I have a Rotel A12, which is decent, but I am ready to upgrade. My other equipment is a Bluesound Node 2, Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit turntable, and Sonus Faber Chameleon T speakers with Nordost cabling throughout. At first, I was going to upgrade speakers, but after home auditioning the Dynaudio Contour 20's and Focal 1008 Be's, I felt that my integrated was the weakest link currently. 

 So, I have been auditioning a few amps (several at home) for the last few weeks. So far, I have home auditioned:

NAD 388 (with the BluOS card) - Class D gives weight to bass, but otherwise, it's just okay
Simaudio Moon ACE - Nice, certainly better than the Rotel, very good warranty and build
Simaudio Moon 340i - Seemed too boomy with bass and a little brittle on the top end
Bryston b60r - Nice, really good sound. Great warranty
Plinius Hautonga - Blew me away. Yes, the 200 watts may have had a lot to do with it. But, the soundstage was huge and everything was so detailed.

I will be dealer auditioning this Friday:

Rega Elex -R
Rogue Sphinx
Naim 5si

Anyone have any experience with the Rega, Rogue or Naim against the Plinius? I don't know if I want to spend that much on an integrated right now and am hoping that one of the ones I am auditioning Friday will blow me away. Thoughts? Comments?

-Brian   
128x128bkmaxey
gdnrbob
4,447 posts
 
Do you need to buy new or is used an option?
I only ask because you can go further up the audio chain with your money by buying used.
B
nycjlee
286 posts
 
+1 gdnrbob.  If you are going to look at the Rogue, I would definitely recommend you also checkout the Cronus Magnam 2.  When I when to my dealer to audition the Sphinx, I ended up buying the Cronus.  I know it’s more money but well worth the upgrade.  The phono preamp section is pretty decent as well.  
bkmaxey's avatar
bkmaxey OP
37 posts
 
I could go used used, but I try thinking "new" in budgetary terms. Mostly for the warranty.
jl35
4,007 posts
 
Belles Soloist 1   
beernut's avatar
beernut
297 posts
 
Wow, I recently owned all three of that last grouping. They are all excellent with their own flavor. Sphinx was meaty and substantial sounding with the tubed pre amp . Naim sounded as lively as advertised but is minimal in the input dept. the Elex was outstanding in all respects plus a fine phono section. To me it edges out the rogue by a hair. However, I was duly impressed with the sound quality of all three. It is a matter of features at that point. BTW, I felt the Elex sounded better to me than the elicit, in my system anyway.
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