2. amps-preamps
  3. 138116-117076

Best used integrated for under $5000

All
I am in the process of building a new dedicated stereo system and looking for both speakers and an integrated. For speakers as of right now I am leannng towards either used Rockport Atria (if I can find one) or Focal Sopra 2 (if no Atria comes around in 6 months). 

I am am moving to NY in 6 weeks and therefore don’t really know what the room dimensions will be. 

Sound I like :

1. A tad bit warm while still having a lot of punch (nothing muddled about it)
2. Vocals (Diana Krall, John Mayer etc) have a level of cleanliness to it
3. Guitar (Gipsy kings, Jesse cook) sound airy without being lean
4. It may be related to my first point above; forgiving of average source (eg high quality Spotify streaming, which isn’t that high quality after all )

Most of my source will be Tidal and strong preference for integrated amps with a built in DAC. Even better if the unit has a streamer as well. Otherwise I am planning to use Google chrome cast (is that a bad idea). 

As of right now my list has Hegel h360, Lyngdorf and Moonaudio 340i. 

I am planning to buy used. That means new prices probably could be as high as $10000. 

It would be great to get some recommendations. 
marrduk24
caphill
678 posts
 
As far as integrated amp check out Devialet. You can get their lower end models for at least $10k and up. They have built-in streamer & DAC.
But the Hegel 360 is phenomenal as well. I would highly consider that.

For speakers if you want a tad warm sounding I will look into Harbeth, Sonus Faber, Wharfedale, some Vienna Acoustics models.
mechans
3,048 posts
 
Warmth is in the ear of the beholder.  The Hegel while having superb resolution is not an ice cold amp.  I found the Hegel I have listened to to lean to the warmer side but not by much.
marrduk24 OP
36 posts
 
Thank you everyone. It’s never going to be an 100% agreement on what people recommend. But seems like I was going in the right direction with Hegel.

Hegel 360 is likely to be $3000-$3500 range for used vs $7000-$7500. I am pretty sure I don’t want to spend $7000 on Pass, mostly because I don’t think I have a nuanced enough hearing (vs a very nuanced pallete 😀). But may try that anyway.
gakman
53 posts
 
About one year ago I bought a Moon 600i, and I have Focal L&R Utopia Be loudspeakers. I have not heard the Sopras so don't know how they would compare, but the 600i with my Focals had (what I consider) a rather warm sound.
I spent most of the past year fine tuning the system for my taste. Things I did include plugging the speaker ports, speaker and I/C  cable changes, swapping different power cables around, Furutech GTX-D (R) outlets and most recently a SR Blue fuse for the 600i.
I am very happy with the sound of my system now and although the 600i doesn't have any digital capabilities, if you can live without that I think you could find it in your price range and worth consideration.
Gary
akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,335 posts
 
REGA OSIRIS ....highly recommended
better still....try a dealer audition and be prepared to be wowed  



http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/rega-isis-cd-player-osiris-integrated-amplifier-tas-213/

http://audiofi.net/2012/08/rega-osiris-punching-heavy/

http://www.audiopasion.com/fotos-genius/asw-genius-210-2/

More to discover