Amplification for Shahinian Obelisks?


Hello there!

I just had my newly-bought second-hand Obelisks overhauled at Shahinian, and now they are on my way to me.

At this stage I am thinking of amplification for them.

I listen mostly to acoustical musiс (Norah Jones, Madeleine Peyroux, and the like), jazz of all sorts, mostly modern ECM-style, also some older Blue Note, and pop music (a lot less). Almost no rock, although it is gaining on me (in the car, though).

I have had several Macs (integrteds and separates), loved their sound, but I want to move forward: Macs' sound is a bit too relaxed for me (although I don't like the sound to be overly crisp). The most important thing for me is musicality and space: I like to listen to music, not sounds.

I want as few boxes as possible, so I want a DAC with an amp in one box. It will be fed through coax or optical from an upgraded 24/96 Sonos.

The contestants at this stage are

1. Electrocompaniet ECI 6 DS
2. Hegel H300
3. Plinius Inspire 980
4. Devialet 120

I am currently leaning towards the Electrocompaniet or Hegel.
Would appreciate your comments on these. Or, maybe, I am missing something here, and there are more choices?

I dont have an opportunity to audition them in my home town, unfortunately, so it will be more or less a blind buy.

Comments from Shahinian owners are more than welcome.

Thanks a lot for your comments!
ja_zz
Dan Wright cut his teeth building mods for other manufacturer's products, but branched off to build his own in 2003. His products are stellar - musical and built like a tank. Here's a review of the integrated:

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/modwright-instruments-kwi-200-integrated-amplifier/
Mdemaio,
Appreciate it, but I can only work with brands that are well represented here.
I believe Shahinian recommends Plinius amps for their speakers, I think I read it on their website.
I did too, thanks. But the Plinius with the functionality I need - the Inspire 980 - is too low-powered for these Shahinians, IMO.