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Mid grade Integrated amp choices

Currently, I have a Rotel A12, which is decent, but I am ready to upgrade. My other equipment is a Bluesound Node 2, Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit turntable, and Sonus Faber Chameleon T speakers with Nordost cabling throughout. At first, I was going to upgrade speakers, but after home auditioning the Dynaudio Contour 20's and Focal 1008 Be's, I felt that my integrated was the weakest link currently. 

 So, I have been auditioning a few amps (several at home) for the last few weeks. So far, I have home auditioned:

NAD 388 (with the BluOS card) - Class D gives weight to bass, but otherwise, it's just okay
Simaudio Moon ACE - Nice, certainly better than the Rotel, very good warranty and build
Simaudio Moon 340i - Seemed too boomy with bass and a little brittle on the top end
Bryston b60r - Nice, really good sound. Great warranty
Plinius Hautonga - Blew me away. Yes, the 200 watts may have had a lot to do with it. But, the soundstage was huge and everything was so detailed.

I will be dealer auditioning this Friday:

Rega Elex -R
Rogue Sphinx
Naim 5si

Anyone have any experience with the Rega, Rogue or Naim against the Plinius? I don't know if I want to spend that much on an integrated right now and am hoping that one of the ones I am auditioning Friday will blow me away. Thoughts? Comments?

-Brian   
128x128bkmaxey
264win
51 posts
 
I would also look at the Marantz PM-11s3. Mine has been nothing short of amazing since I’ve first listened to it! I pushes, no bullies my set of 4 ohm speakers with authority yet musicality I am still impressed with every time I listen to music!
It has unfortunately jumped in price since the PM-10 was introduced but can still be found under your $3500 price point if patient.
I haven’t owned any of the other Integrates listed here but I have demo’d the PM-11s3 against the Hagel H200, the Devialet 200, the NAD Master Series M2 and the Marantz outclassed them all to me, some by a long shot.
I would love to hear one of the top Yamaha Integrated and Accuphase Integrateds.... The best of the Japanese made ones including the Marantz PM-11s3 have such a sweet warm sound yet are so fast and clean! One never gets tired of their sound no matter how long the listening session  
ryder
1,689 posts
 
I’ve owned an older Plinius Class A power amp and it’s very nice indeed. Great sound and excellent build quality (like a tank) but I had to let it go as the amp did not match my loudspeakers at that time.

The Naim Nait XS may sound nice but I don’t think it’s the equivalent of the Plinius Hautonga in both price and performance. It might be worthwhile to audition the Naim Supernait 2 as this one is more comparable to the Hautonga with a more powerful and dynamic presentation. Other options include Exposure 3010S2-D and Densen B150. Ultimately the choice will be dependent your listening taste apart from the speakers that will be used with the amp.
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chumsusi
26 posts
 
@andr3wd
If you want to get the Yaqin or the Jolida, I would suggest the Line Magnetic 216ia.
roseofsa's avatar
roseofsa
51 posts
 
I've been in this hobby for 30 years. I've had 5 amps during that time. The Cronus has given me more bang for the buck than any other component
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lak
4,623 posts
 
@bkmaxey

I saw this add this morning and thought of this post.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-silver-mint-condition-2017-10-15-amplifiers
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