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Retirement integrated amp for a “fiscal conservative”…..Part 1: I have a plan

Again, I want to thank the many many members who provided their thoughts and insights to my original post on this subject!!  The problem is (and its a good problem) you all provided a LOT of advice and recommendations; many diverse, some corroborating, and some conflicting options.  I did a lot of reading on several of the integrateds y’all suggested and PM’d a few of you to better understand your thoughts.  There are a lot of really smart people who support this Agon forum!!  I have a lot more knowledge now, thank you  

Which leads to the Plan:

1. Before spending up to $8,000 (my not yet wife approved budget) I need to confirm I can actually hear the sound qualities I’m missing in my current system.  Having a 68 year old hearing system with tinnitus, this is a real question for me.

2. I’ve booked a room at the Schaumburg Hyatt for the upcoming AXPONA; a 9hr drive from Huntsville AL. 

3. I’ve never attended an audio show, but its been on my bucket list for the past 5 years, so I’ll kill 2 birds with one stone (roadtrip)!

4. I realize that audio shows aren't the optimum listening environment, but if I can hear the sound qualities I’m missing there at the show; then game on identifying an integrated amp that will bring me closer in my system which will be Part 2 of the Plan 😀

5. I’ll start Part 2 there at the show listening to as many systems with integrateds in my price range (I’m fine with buying used and will factor that in to which amps I listen to).  Yes, the associated equipment in the chain and the environment will be different than mine, but it will be a great place to start!!

And that’s part of the fun of this hobby/obsession (at least for me); planning and starting the next journey!

ezstreams
ezstreams OP
70 posts
 

@mdalton thanks for the Atelier 13 Nashville hifi shop suggestion. I see the have an Audio Hungary Qualiton X200 on sale for $4,390, well within my price range. Anyone have any experience with AH amps?

@audphile1 thanks for the heads up on the PL INT250 listing.  I’m going to listen before I buy even if its with other equipment in different environments to at least get a sense (pun intended) of 1. My hearing capabilities and 2. As you, @kennyc, @daniel25 and others have said; try to distill what I hear from those experiences down to 1 or 2 amps to try out in my system at home  

@jsalerno277 I plan to keep my phono stage and DAC/streamer so I’m hunting for a traditional integrated amp.

@curiousjim I have the 83.6 dB sensitive non-graphene Joseph Audio Perspective speakers.  I mainly listen to jazz trios and quartets, but my music tastes and listening cover most genres except symphonic or large orchestra/bands which can overwhelm my speakers.

 

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,638 posts
 

“I have the 83.6 dB sensitive non-graphene Joseph Audio Perspective speakers”@ezstreams

JA Perspective’s loves watts. Almost every demo I’ve attended at audio shows (last 7 years), his speakers were paired with Jeff Rowland’s amps or Integrated. And they sound phenomenal together. There is a Jeff Rowland Continuum S2 Integrated on sale here and it’s within your budget. If you call Jeff Joseph, he would very likely recommend Continuum S2 as well.

boostedis
107 posts
 

If an Integrated is your goal then regardless of what you end up with, a Hegel should be at the top of your list to audition. In your price range, no one is doing Integrates better especially if your desire is for a one-box solution. 

ghdprentice
7,609 posts
 

@daniel25 

That is probably the most efficient path! 

mdalton's avatar
mdalton
528 posts
 

no experience of AH myself, but several dealers I find credible are big fans.  Also, Lavorgna (Twittering Machines) review of X200 in 2022 was quite positive.

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