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Help with picking new integrated for under 3k

Hi all, I'm seeking advice in purchasing a new integrated amplifier. Max budget is 3K. Slowly upgrading as I get more into the hobby.

Current set up is as follows:
Preamp  - Cambridge CXA 60 running as pre
Amp - Rotel RB 990BX
Phono Stage - Musical Surroundings Phonomena ii+
Speakers - Anthony Gallo Reference 3.1 
Turntable - VPI Aries Scout
Cartridge - Ortofon 2m Bronze
Interconnects - Audioquest Diamondback
Streamer - appleTV

80% of my critical listening is on the turntable but when I'm reading, have company over, and/or just hanging and don't want to get off the couch out I'll stream over my appleTV.

Presently strongly considering Parasound Halo Hint 6 and Musical Fidelity M6si. There's also a local listing for a Mcintosh MA6500 and a Hegel H3600 that I could probably get for around my budget, although the Hegel would be a bit of a stretch. So any thoughts on those two amps as well would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance. 
128x128sammyshaps
soix
9,456 posts
 
@sammyshaps -- great description of what you're looking for.  Given that, I think you'll be very pleased with the Hegel.  It will certainly tame the highs a bit while adding more heft and meat on the bones in the mids and bass.  I think you'll also find the soundstage will expand in all directions and elements within the soundstage will more solidly and believably occupy their own space within the stage. 

The M6si might work too, but I'd be less confident recommending it over the Hegel.  Read some reviews and see which one more reflects what you're looking for if you haven't already.  I think the MA6500 will roll off the highs to much given what you're used to, but I could be wrong.  Again, best of luck. 
sammyshaps's avatar
sammyshaps OP
43 posts
 
@kairosman the Kinki EX M1+ looks very interesting it had not been on my radar. Thumbing through some reviews it seems to be described, sonically, similar to many of the reviews I've read of the Hegel H3600, but perhaps with a bit more fanfare.

Out of plain curiosity has anyone here listened to both the Kinki EX-M1 and the Hegel H3600? I know the Hegel has a built in DAC and the Kinki-EX-M1 doesn't, but the difference in price could make up for that. Would be interested to hear if anyone has listened to both and could report.

@gratefuleric I had actually looked at the Peachtree Nova and have heard earlier iterations (iNova). There's a dealer close to me that stocks Peachtree so I might have to check out the newer offerings. I will offer that aesthetically the Peachtree design has never really been my cup of tea, but at the end of the day sound wins, beauty is only skin deep ;-) 
glupson
7,842 posts
 
sammyshaps,
"...the Peachtree design has never really been my cup of tea, but at the end of the day sound wins, beauty is only skin deep ;-)"
Do not forget, you will have to see it every day. Just because she is smart, it does not mean she has to be bad looking. Those things are not mutually exclusive.
caphill
674 posts
 
@sammyshaps 

Musical Fidelity M6si ($3k new), Rotel RA-1592 ($2500 new), Parasound Halo Integrated (HINT) at $2500 new are all awesome and have decent DACs too. 
Or the Rega Elicit-R analog integrated ($3k new) no DAC though but Rega makes a standalone DAC and I believe it retails for around $1200ish If I'm not mistaken. 

For used integrateds the Hegel that you mentioned is quite spectacular or some lower end McIntosh integrateds. Most recent Hegel & McIntosh integrateds usually have DACs. 
stalbrecht
6 posts
 
I have a Vincent SV236mk2 and love it.  I have been trying my hand at a bit of tube rolling in the preamp stage and the telefunkens sounds pretty damn nice so far.  It’s a very well made integrated for the money
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