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Integrateds, which one??????????????

I am looking at several different integrateds and am getting a headache.  I would really like remote ,phono and headphone but can deal with the phono and headphone issue if need be.  The speakers for now are older Vandersteen 2Cs BUT I want to be able to work well with a range of speakers  I am not talking about power but tonal balance/sound  Not to far to the warm and not to far to the analytical / thin side.  Rock and blues are the primary music (so laid back is not good) and the cables are all Analysis Plus.  Using a Music Hall A 50..2 which is very impressive  Liked it better then the Yamaha AS 2000 I tried.  All  below are very close in price used. Thanks

Tube
Rogue Tempest Magnun
Rogue Cronus

Solid State
Anthem 225  Had one years ago and thought it was kind of dry but have different cable, gear now
Classe 151  Had a 150  It was OK 151 is supposed to be more neutral
Rotel RA 1570
Roksan Kandy K2
Bel Canto EVO 2 gen II  Had one for 4 years almost perfect but no soul.  Might be different with cables and such
Musical Fidelity A 300


128x128geph0007
geph0007's avatar
geph0007 OP
184 posts
 
Not going to be adding things to the Vandersteens   The Hegel is out of the question.  I laid out what i can spend   How come nobody is excited about the Rogue Tempest magnum?  60 w/ch??  I have had tube hybrids but never a full tube deal  Worried it could be too dark but tempting just to find out.
  The Anthem integrated one was pretty good.  The Rogue  Sphnix was very good but in the end sounded like what it was  A tube preamp  hiding a class D amp.
rackon
301 posts
 
Rega Brio or Marantz PM8004-8005. The Rogue could be quite fun. Not a fan of the Anthem or Rotel.
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
(((Not going to be adding things to the Vandersteens)))

 Hey not doing a High Pass / 2W at used prices starting at 499 and up is your call and yes with Rotel / High passed w 2WQ combination will smoke alone just any affordable Tube amp .
 Imagine later with a 2W and a tube amp you could have the best of both worlds
I can promise you that the guys who heard Rotel,
 never heard them Hi Passed /2WQ with a pair of Steen 2s
 But hey if you want to stay pat and major on the minors its your call.
 Best JohnnyR 
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Not enough question marks!!
carmenc
293 posts
 
Please listen to John.  He has your best interest at hand!  I've not listened to him in the past....and it has cost me dearly.  Now, I've Vandersteen and Belles and am a believer.  Already trying to figure out how I'm going to move up the Vandy line ,or as he mentioned, add a 2wq to my 1Ci.  Best......

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