Impressions: $1k-$2k integrated amps

I have a Belles Soloist One that I bought used in 2014 for around $1800 I think....I use it still and it drives my ATC SCM40V2 with relative ease. I love this integrated and would recommend it highly to anyone. No phono stage, but a very well built, SS all analog unit. David Belles knows what he’s doing....my vote would be that or the Moon.....

Thanks @nealkot. That looks like a great piece!

have you heard any others?

Anyone have thoughts on the two Primare amps?

In the up to $2000.00 range,tube amps from Cayin,Yaqin or Jolida will outperform ANYTHING suggested in a Solid State amp!

@helomech can you compare your impressions of those 2 amps, their phono stages and their overall pros and cons?

Didn’t experience them in the same system which makes it difficult to say. I’d wager the Elex has the better PRaT and the Yamaha has better bass extension (I surmise based on the fact I’ve only experienced one other amp that rivals the Yamaha in bass extension, regardless of price). As for value, the Elex is certainly the better proposition at their retail prices. Though you can now find closeout A-S1100s for prices very near that of the Elex-R.

With the exception of its excellent bass extension, the Yamaha sounds more similar to a modern tube amp than it does a typical solid-state design. The vocals are a bit recessed in the mix, however -- think 6th row presentation as opposed to the 2nd-row presentation of most SS amps. The Elex-R probably has the flatter bandwidth and superior midbass dynamics, but hard to say for certain.
Can’t speak for the Rega’s phono stage but the Yamaha’s is comparable with $500 - $700 stand-alone units, the MM stage being more impressive than its MC stage.

I happen to own the 1100 and it has been very reliable for over 2 years now. It holds its own against the $6K combinations of separates I’ve compiled recently.