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Opinions on these budget integrateds?

Searching to replace a NAD C352 with a new/used integrated that will provide a meaningful sonic upgrade.  Looking at options around $2,000 or below, and I don't want it to be a sideways move.

I'm keeping my old Allison One speakers, at least for now, as they work very well with my particular room conditions. 

Would love to get opinions on the options below.  I'm looking for ease and musicality, but the ability to articulate dense music is also important. No internal DAC required.

-Belles Aria - very intrigued

-Quicksilver Integrated - have never had tubes before but am open to them

-Primaluna Prologue or Dialogue - might be over my budget

-Audio Note OTO SE - one day!  but probably cannot power the Allisons

-Sugden a21 SE

-Yamaha A-S2100 

-Parasound Halo

-Unison Research Unico Integrated

-Exposure 2010 S2

-Primare i22

Any thoughts at all are welcome, and I haven't heard ANY of these!  Thanks in advance. 


sforrey
sforrey OP
22 posts
 
Thanks again all.

Rethinking this a bit and am eliminating full tube integrateds as an option, at least with this setup and these speakers. 

Shortlist now is new Belles Aria, or used or refurb Yamaha A-S2100.  

Having a decent headphone out is appealing, and both of these get good marks.  

The 6moons review of the Yamaha is hugely intriguing... might have to pull the trigger on this one!
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
stereo52,227 posts09-25-2018 1:26amParasound Halo Integrated.  160wpc, 45 amps of current.
+1 for this, and when you get a new pair of speakers, even if they are very hard to drive this will do the job better that any of the others, and you get a bonus dac in it as well.

Cheers George
justvintagestuff
104 posts
 
...sorry to see you've left out the rig I have and luv: a JOB INT. AMP

BUY DIRECT BRAND NEW for about $1700 and if you've got extra $$$ , buy the SWEETCORD POWER CORD for it.

Break it in for 300 hours continuous, and be amazed as the sound matures. Plenty of power, options to go with interconnects or flip a switch and use an optical cord to access the DAC in the INT.

Great value in a well-designed product.

Good Luck in your search...
justvintagestuff
104 posts
 
... Another option, which I have in my 2nd system with JBL L25 PRIMA speakers, is a MONOPRICE INTERGRATED AMP for about $150 or so (go with the 50 watt unit), use a good power cord ( I'm using a PS AUDIO SC STATEMENT) and use the $$$ for more music...
mdiaz
62 posts
 
I had a PrimaLuna for a while and it is a fantstic piece of equipment. Great performance at a reasonable price.
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