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Considering Moving to an Integrated, Opinions Appreciated

Hi All,

I have converted a spare bedroom to an office/listening room. It is only 12x12. Like most here I have swapped gear in and out for years. I really enjoy the sound of my current system, but space is at a premium and I am considering moving to an integrated from separates.  I have stacks of gear around and am more inclined to get something I can set and forget and maybe even sell a bunch of this crap :)  This is my current system:

LTA microZOTL pre
McIntosh MC2505 amp
MHDT Labs Orchid DAC
PS Audio GCPH Phono Stage
Marantz TT15 Turntable
B&W Nautilus 805 Speakers

The system sounds very nice.  I am not opposed to keeping the DAC and/or phono stage, but it would be nice to have everything in the integrated if possible.  I was looking in the $2500-$3000 range. I might be able to extend my budget some if I can move some of my current gear.  I am not opposed to used.  I have been looking at things like the Lyngdorf 2710, Musical Fidelity M6si, Classe 2200i, Naim, etc. I did read the Lyngdorf vs Anthem thread, which was helpful.

The Lyngdorf seems like it ticks most of the boxes, but I am a little concerned about the amp stage.  Multiple people have described it as "dry" and my preference leans more towards warm.  I am aware that it is class D.  I am not opposed to that, I ran a Peachtree Nova 220SE for about a year and liked it.  However, I recently did some A/B testing with my current setup and the current one is the clear winner.  I also bought an Emerald Physics 100.2se based on rave reviews and I thought it would be a great much with my pre, but it really did not sound good at all.  Maybe it just didn't match well with the pre or speakers.

Most of my listening is digital.  My TT is actually not hooked up at the moment because I don't have room on my current shelf and I am missing it. 

Advice is appreciated, thanks!
 
why0why
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,525 posts
 
The Lyngdorf 2170 is simply fantastic and should be paired with cabling that is natural in tone and full bodied sounding by nature. I love the unit and over time learned how to get the very most out of it. It is in an entirely different league than the various Peachtree units. I have owned both and the 2170 is miles ahead. The only combo of separates that like better in my home, and I have tried many, is the Clayton Audio S40 Class A amp combined with The Truth preamp and MHDT Orchid dac. I modified and upgraded each of these units to get them to the place that they have now replaced the 2170. The 2170 is that good!

Find one used and broken in already.  Keep it fully on as it sounds it’s best after being on for at least 12 hours.  This is very important.  It only pulls some 20 watts and stays cool so no worries. The room correction employed is state of the art and really helps your system sound its best in your room. The volume control is fantastic and neutral sounding.  The overall sound of the unit is slightly tipped to the warm side, but is really very close to neutral.  I like mid bass weight and body and find the unit really benefits from wire voiced with fully fleshed out mids and great mid bass weight.  I like the Duelund stranded copper wire in black cotton with this unit.   The combo just works .   Like all things audio it takes some time and effort to get the most of our your system. 

Feel free to contact me with any other 2170 questions. 
why0why OP
70 posts
 
@grannyring I think your past posts about the Lyngdorf are what got me interested in the first place.

There are so many great options in this price range.  I have made a spreadsheet with options to try to narrow it down some.  It is tough, especially considering that my listening options are limited.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,525 posts
 
Many great choices indeed.  Modwright is another good choice for sure.  Electrocompaniet makes very nice gear that has wonderful tone and body.  Some of the best SS gear around.  They also make nice integrated amps. 
yyzsantabarbara
4,941 posts
 
Darko loves Hegel. So do I.

https://darko.audio/2019/10/a-short-film-about-the-hegel-h390-kef-reference-1/

https://darko.audio/2018/10/letters-to-the-editor-hegels-soundengine-explained/

https://darko.audio/2018/10/a-short-film-about-the-hegel-h590/   

The new 390 and 590 have a improved DAC over the older models. Hegel themselves state it is the best DAC they have, even better than the standalone DAC. Not sure about the older models but the new 390 and 590 will be ROON READY. You would stream via Ethernet using the Hegels so also consider an EtherREGEN switch to reduce Ethernet noise ($640).

rbstehno
1,478 posts
 
The dacs in the Hegels are pretty decent but not close to their standalone dacs or other quality dacs. I had the Hegel 100 then upgraded to the H300, never used its dac. (I have a new Mcintosh C47 preamp with a very good dac and I don't use that either, I have the PS Audio DS sr dac that blows all of the Hegel days away and its Roon ready which the Hegel's are not and might not be). Then I auditioned the H360 at RMAF years ago in the Hegel room and I compared their standalone dac to the H360, big difference. If you don't have a dac or its not a top quality dac, then you probably will like the Hegel H360 on up. I was thinking of buying the smaller H190 for its features for a living room setup. The H300/360/390 would be better suited for a dedicated audio room

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