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Integrated amp + DAC + room correction all-in-one for Nola Boxer 1 + REL R328 sub

Dear forum,

I’m looking to upgrade my integrated amp + external DAC source to an all-in-one integrated amp + DAC + room correction box. Budget to $2500, may stretch to $2800 if super-compelling.

I currently use a Creek 5350se integrated amp, with external DAC input from a Yamaha RX-V773 AVR (TI/Burr-Brown PCM1681 DAC chip on whatever circuit Yamaha cooked up).

Loudspeakers are Nola Boxer 1 on Dynaudio Stand 4, and REL R328 sub connected by Neutrix cable to main L/R binding posts on amp. Loongg runs of ProWire speaker and Neutrix cables through crawlspace to loudspeakers / sub.

Music = classical + opera, electronic, new & old rock, alternative, trap, house

Room is 18’ x 12’ x 13’h average ceiling height (2808 cu feet), hardwood floors, random furniture objects. Speakers 6’ apart, REL sub in corner to right of right speaker, listening position 8’ from center of speaker axis.

Requirements (but will flex if compelling):

  1. one box, no separates: amp + DAC and ideally + room correction
  2. ethernet-in on DAC circuit <= can be talked out of this if sensible alternatives
  3. ’classic’ & useful front-plate design <= no NuPrime IDA-16
  4. simple, solid, non-stupid remote <= again, no NuPrime. Rogue doesn’t get hi marks here either
  5. known affinity with Nola Boxer 1 a huge plus

Here are units I’m researching in DESC order of coveting-ness:

  • Hegel H190 <= yes $4K USD srp, will stretch to $2800 to buy used
  • Parasound HINT6 Halo <= ESS Sabre32 Reference ES9018K2M DAC, new product, no reviews/track-record. No ethernet-in either. Will stretch to $2800 for used ... and probly have to wait a long time for that.
  • Creek Evolution 100A <= no ethernet-in. Eventual poor reliability experience with my existing Creek 5350se, which used a lo-quality ALPS input switch, which is failing
  • Micromega M-100 <= will stretch to $2800 for used. No ethernet-in afaict.
  • Rogue Cronus Magnum II <= reviews suggest cheap-feeling remote. No ethernet-in.
  • Yamaha A-S801 <= ’budget’ solution at $900 USD, ESS Sabre ES9010K2M DAC circuit. Needs Yamaha wireless connector for ethernet-in. May not have room correction?

All helpful feedback appreciated including units I haven’t considered. Relatedly, I’m wondering how much I’d give up if I went the ’budget’ route (Yamaha A-S801).
usery
austinbob
235 posts
 
I i recently bought a Lyngdorf 3400 to replace a Mark Levinson amp and preamp and high end DAC. Couldn’t be happier. The Room Correction is awesome, plenty of power for PSB Imagine T3s. Pretty amazing product. 
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,807 posts
 
Portlandiego,

The Micromega is our favorite integrated amp for the price and this is among a staple of the Naim products, the Anthem STR, the NAD M32, and a few others. The Naim Nova is one step up but we are comparing a $4.5k integrated vs a $7,500.00 one as we only have the the entry level M100 on display.

The M 100 sounds lush in the midrange, and soundstages superbly, the amp is very involving, and the bass is deep and punchy.

The Micromega just sounds musical in a way that few integrated amplifiers for the price can do. The Class A/B amplifier is a marvel of compact design, the fans are compact industrial grade fans that are used for long duty cycles cooling computers,they are very quiet and quite effective at lowering the unit’s temparate, couple that with an aluminium chassis which acts as a giant heat sink this video shows you the brilliant packinag job that the Micromega engineers did to accomplish this form factor: https://youtu.be/rbYNri1Wetk

Here is a review of the bigger brother the M150 which you can see the reviewer adored ,the M150 adds 50 watts of juice a beefier power supply and includes the room correction kit.

https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/4d5cb2_37c04e0fc5f544c98a0b116e2681a664.pdf

I know some people here are loving the Lyndorf products, however, we are not so enamoured with Class D amplification, except for a few standouts, naimly the Nuprime gear, and I am sure the Lyngdorf sounds clean and effortless but does it offer the same musicality?

The Micromega offers one incredible feature set:

: 1: Native High resolution PCM up to 768k plus Quad Rate DSD
2: Analog inputs
3: Phono stage
4: Headphone playback
5: Class A/B amplifier
6: Slim form factor
7: Plenty of digital and analog inputs
8: Ethernet jack
9: Appple Airplay
10: Blue tooth
11: Room Correction
12: Software upgradable
13: Roon playback via airplay
14: Internet radio and control app,
15: Subwoofer output

When you add all of these factors the Micromega product is pretty unique.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Micromega dealers




usery OP
131 posts
 
Thanks to all who piped up with suggestions/guidance.  After more research, reflection and attachment I've pulled the trigger on a Micromega M-100 (w/o room correction - that was an additional ~$900 USD). 

If anyone's interested I'll report back once the M-100 is settled in and hummin' (figuratively).
soix
9,591 posts
 
I'm interested!  Congrats.  I'm sure it's gonna sound great. 

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,807 posts
 
Hey Usery,  Let us know how you like the M100,  use a set of Isoacoustic footers and a good power cord and you will be loving the sound it is so musical.

Wish you would have contacted us about the piece we are very knowelgable about the M100 as we were one of the first displaying dealers for the product.

Good luck and burn it in well.

You can use Roon to control it via the airplay tab on Roon.

If we are right please say so.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ
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