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SS intgtd- Ayre; YBA; Sugden; Bel Canto; Accphse ?

New baby in house so tubes on main floor might be problematic- need simplicity for the television/'B' system- therefore thinking solid state integrated. Looking for a recommendation and/or comparison of SS integrated amps at ~ $2.5k max used.

Speakers are Coincident Victory, very revealing with tightly damped bass and a ribbon tweeter- large room. Looking for the most 'full-bodied' natural sound yet with excellent micro-dynamic detail retrieval as well. Wish list would include a remote plus one balanced input for a dac, plus very well-built power supply and well-executed yet simple circuit design. Here's a few options that spring to mind:

Ayre AX-7e
YBA Passion Integre
Bel Canto Evo2i Gen II
Sugden A21e
Blue Circle NSCS
Accuphase E-***??? (anyone heard the E-407?)

most interested in a comparison of the Ayre and YBA, as have heard great things about both.
sutts
sutts OP
700 posts
 
Hey Bombay! Yah-got in touch with your buddy about the SET40i- thanks. Have decided it's not going to be a contender- no cover for the amp, and new baby will be crawling soon... That EvoIIiGenII integrated sold pretty fast the other day @ Underwood Wally's price of $1,890- wonder how good that piece is??

Jeffjarvis- any idea if Sugden has dealers in North America? They used to have a distributor up here in Canada- Plurison I believe, out of Montreal, but I don't think they carry the line anymore...

Greenman- I do think Ayre product is excellent, but I like tubes somewhere in the chain- getting off track for a second, perhaps my modded SF Line 3 preamp might stay in the 'A' system and would match up nicely with a V5Xe? I assume that combo would be a notch above the Ayre integrated?

Ellery- re: Bryston, as much as I wanted to like it, I could not warm up to it- and that was the latest 14BSST, even with my tube preamp...
greenman
53 posts
 
I have heard the Ayre V5 and the Sonic Frontiers SL3 but not together. I think it has the makings of a great match, probably many steps above the AX7. I think very highly of both pieces
Have you called Bel Canto to ask about a cage for the SET40i? I'm fairly certain there was an optional cover. Whether they still have any in inventory may be another matter.
Without a direct A-B I'm guessing, but I think a Sugden A21 may lack resolution and bass drive relative to an AX7e or eVo2i II. The Sugden is, however, very smooth and musical.
bombaywalla's avatar
bombaywalla
1,958 posts
 
Sutts,
Cool!
I'd 2nd Greenman's reco & call up BelCanto to see if they can provide a cover/cage for the SET40i. I'm sure that it's possible to make for a reasonable amount.
The sound from the SET40i is totally kick-butt! If your speakers are upto the job, you won't regret the purchase.
FWIW. IMHO.
sutts OP
700 posts
 
thanks guys- great advice from everybody! **New info- I may be sticking with my modded SF Line 3 preamp in the main system, and if so, will need power amp only. There IS a local dealer of Ayre product, but he doesn't lend out- too bad...
eril
52 posts
 
Cairn 4810A.
100 watts - first 10 in Class A.
Much better than Bryston and Ayre to my ears.
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