Reliable Used int. amp for $1200? Plinius? Classe?

It is a risk of going with a SS integrated when you are already used to the sound of Conrad Johnson amps. Bear in mind you may or may not get the same level of performance or enjoyment with another amp and your greatest fear might come true when the new amp proves to be a downgrade from your current C-J amps. If you find enjoyment in your current system I would advise sticking with it.

If you really want to simplify your system by getting an integrated and want to be sure it isn't inferior sounding to your C-J amps, the only way is to listen to it in your system and find out yourself. I have owned the Classe CAP 100 and Plinius SA-100Mk3 and both are nice sounding amps with a tube-like character and liquid midrange. With your Spendor S3/5, you are better off with a higher current amp due to the low sensitivity of the speakers. If you listen to music at moderate to fairly high volume levels I would avoid the Classe integrateds. The Plinius 8200 is more powerful and may be a more appropriate match to the Spendors. The Mac is at another level compared to Classe and Plinius IMO, and so is the price. There are many other candidates out there that you may or may not like since you are already loving your C-J amps.

Good luck.

Classe 151 fits your bill. Not to heavy and quite compact in size, quite powerful, reliable and def on the warm side.

Naim is an answer for you. A Naim 5i or used Naim XS would fill the bill nicely. You need to listen to Naim at a dealer first, s the sound will be different from the CJ equipment.

Jim

I neglected to take into account your weight preference, so the Denon would be out - it weighs in at 54lbs.

I have had a CLasse CAP 150 for 12 yeaars or so. In my main system for 10 years and now in my second system. Just a great amp. Quite frankly, the big expensive Classe monos that replaced it have been only a slight improvement.