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Beginner audiophile pre-amp/receiver recommendations

Hello all trying to piece together a system that will cover dedicated listening as well as a 2nd zone for in ceiling during parties. 

I'm looking for something to replace my AV receiver with a stereo receiver that will do the following, I'd like to keep things in as few components as possible to not upset the W.A.F..
2 Zone output (xlr)
Phono stage
DAC (for an eventual Bluesound node to replace the chromecast)
FM tuner

Would like to be under 1500.  I'm not opposed to a pre-owned unit. can be an integrated as long as I can also drive the external amp w/XLR:

Currently have:
Krell KAV 2500 power amp
Anthem AVM 20
Chromecast HIFI
Thorens TD120
Hales Concept 2 loudspeakers
Inceliing speakers (4)
escoffee
lukaszwk
63 posts
 
Definitely try to stay away from any receivers, everything about them is a compromise, sq being the first thing. As far as decent integrated amp, I really think you can’t get better than Schiit RAGNAROK, it has everything that you listed, a good dac, phono stage, multiple outputs - balanced and single ended even a headphone amp and most importantly it will sound good. It’s a little over your budget at 1800 but I don’t think you can get better for the price and features. I own a few Schiit pieces and they are excellent. If a tuner is important, you can always add one later for not a lot of money but you really don’t want it inside your amp
escoffee OP
4 posts
 
Jolida Fusion looks very interesting,  if I went that route, how could you control the "zone" i dont see that it has an a/b a+b control.

Appreciate all the feedback, narrowing down is not easy
lukaszwk
63 posts
 
I also have the jolida fusion, it’s a preamp only. There’s no a/b switching, only source select. You can't control two amps separately with it
rocray's avatar
rocray
1,448 posts
 
In my opinion,I would scrap an fm tuner. With a Bluesound Node,you can get all the internet radio stations you would ever want. 
big_greg
6,674 posts
 
What kind of cartridge do you have?  If it's a LOMC that might limit your choices. 

I'd forget about getting something with an FM tuner in it, you can stream FM stations.  If you really care about FM, get a separate tuner. 

The Peachtree Nova 300 is a nice piece and you should be able to find one used around your budget.  It has a very good DAC and includes a phono stage, but I believe it's limited to MM cartridges.  It does not have any balanced connections.
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