2. amps-preamps
  3. 132348-1433

No frills balanced ss integrated amp?

Interested in what the membership recommends for a great sounding solid state integrated amp strictly for two channel audio.  Something that excels at the basics.  Parasound Halo seems well-regarded but the "no frills" modifier is included to try and avoid exactly such "all in one designs"; i.e., DON'T want something with DAC, phono pre, subwoofer control, tone controls, multi-channel output etc., etc..  Budget in the $2500-$3000 range.  Have a Hegel H200 now.  Don't ask why I'm thinking about another.  Not sure I can explain.  New preferred but would definitely consider used (esp., if still in production).  Thanks for the input.  
128x128ghosthouse
gdhal's avatar
gdhal
1,641 posts
 
Frills or not, I think in that price category you should *consider* a (new) Musical Fidelity M6si. It excels at the basics, despite having a phono input and USB DAC.
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jond's avatar
jond
5,807 posts
 
Perhaps an LFD integrated? They are very well regarded and seem as no frills as can be and a number of units on here in your price range. Never hear them myself but I am generally a fan of British integrateds.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,843 posts
 
How about the Marantz PM14S1? I have the older, PM15S2b and don't plan on parting with it for the foreseeable future.
Yamaha also makes a great competitor (I've read) with their A-S100 series as well. 

All the best,
Nonoise
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse OP
4,307 posts
 
Thanks to all for the quick replies. Responding individually below though probably won’t continue to do so going forward.

@gdhal
I appreciate your mention of the M6si despite the phono pre and DAC. Why I’m shopping "no frills" is I hate paying for something I don’t need. For the same price and assuming similar profit margins, prefer my $ going into something more "focused". Regardless, I’ll see what I can learn about that M6. Thanks again.

@inna
I saw your Redgum note. It’s deleted now. Know the brand but nothing about their products. I’m happy to look at their range even if they aren’t an exact match to what I’m thinking right now. Different vs step-change better can still be fun and newly revealing when listening to a given piece of music.

@jond
Thanks for the LFD nomination, Jon. Came across the brand when I was looking to see if anyone had posted this question before. Don’t know ’em at all. Will investigate. Love window shopping.

@nonoise
Always had a "soft spot" for Marantz though I never owned any of their gear! Appreciate your input.


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