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integrated or separates...on a $1200 price point?

I am running B&W 685s and a HSU sub in a 2.1 system, and I need to upgrade my 15 year old Yamaha receiver. I have been advised to purchase a high-end integrated rather than separates in my price range, which is around $1200 or so. So I am looking at: Creek 5350SE, Exposure 2010s, Parasound Halo A23/P3 (used), or used NAD gear (like the 2200 power amp). Looking for great sound reproduction across several genres, not all of which are easy to reproduce: rock, classical, some dense IDM, and other heavily layered music. I am wondering if the lower wattages of the integrateds leave enough head room to punch through the entire frequency spectrum.
realremo
srwooten's avatar
srwooten
694 posts
 
Adcom GFP 750 pre-amp and a Musical Fidelity A3cr dual mono amp. Both Stereophile class A at one time (I'm 90% sure). Used you should be able to come close to $1200.
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rotarius
431 posts
 
Consider Yamaha A-S1000 or a used A-S2000.  Really refined and with exceptional build quality.  I used to have a Musical Fidelity A3.5.  It was not bad sounding but the parts quality was mediocre at best.  Jamicon caps and such.
paraneer's avatar
paraneer
818 posts
 
As it's been almost 6 years since the OP asked for suggestions, I wonder if he is still looking?

samac's avatar
samac
499 posts
 
OP probably isn't looking any longer but others are. Anybody with B&W speakers looking for an integrated in the ~$1200 range should listen to the Arcam FMJ A19. Fabulous amp. I've enjoyed mine for the past couple of years. It drives my B&W 683 S2s with ease and sounds fantastic. Fifty watts of brawn and refinement!

Cheers,

Scott
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