sfcfran56 posts08-10-2018 7:11pmI am not a big integrated amp guy. It is my observation that the best audio comes from separate pre-amp and amp combo. In that, you will need to budget for interconnects as well. Not Monster Cable...please don't. … and...don't buy a single dang thing that is coming from China on ebay,,,especially periferals such as cables. Fraud everywhere.
The thing is, integrated amps can be awesome. You can't make a blanket statement about them. They are the less expensive way to go in many situations. He does have a lower budget, so a top integrated is his best option. This is why I shared the Belles Aria integrated amp.
I've heard most of the contenders in most price ranges and the Belles hits higher above it's price range of 1800 than any of the other's I"ve heard. If you audition it vs the Parasound line you may agree. I chose the Belles each time over the Parasound when doing a blind test. Again, that's my palette, but Parasound makes a good product also.
It's also implementation. I proudly own an Ayre AX5/20 integrated amp. The pre on this amp is similar to the pre amp in their reference KXR pre amp. That pre is as good as any pre I've ever heard and again, I've heard many many reference pre's. Teh other thing when going with a nice integrated amp is that you don't need another hook up. Any hook up will lower the sound quality. Again, implementation is most important and then it comes down to the interconnect you use. Hopefully it's a balanced one as that's a better connection than a single ended connection as long as the balanced is a true dual differential balanced connection.
As for Rotel, you like anything else, you need to listen to their top integrated amp. It really offers a lot for the money, but it's still not as good as a Belles Aria.
All of it depends on what speakers he's using too. Synergy is most important. That hasn't even been discussed has it? I may have missed it.
The thing is, integrated amps can be awesome. You can't make a blanket statement about them. They are the less expensive way to go in many situations. He does have a lower budget, so a top integrated is his best option. This is why I shared the Belles Aria integrated amp.
I've heard most of the contenders in most price ranges and the Belles hits higher above it's price range of 1800 than any of the other's I"ve heard. If you audition it vs the Parasound line you may agree. I chose the Belles each time over the Parasound when doing a blind test. Again, that's my palette, but Parasound makes a good product also.
It's also implementation. I proudly own an Ayre AX5/20 integrated amp. The pre on this amp is similar to the pre amp in their reference KXR pre amp. That pre is as good as any pre I've ever heard and again, I've heard many many reference pre's. Teh other thing when going with a nice integrated amp is that you don't need another hook up. Any hook up will lower the sound quality. Again, implementation is most important and then it comes down to the interconnect you use. Hopefully it's a balanced one as that's a better connection than a single ended connection as long as the balanced is a true dual differential balanced connection.
As for Rotel, you like anything else, you need to listen to their top integrated amp. It really offers a lot for the money, but it's still not as good as a Belles Aria.
All of it depends on what speakers he's using too. Synergy is most important. That hasn't even been discussed has it? I may have missed it.