2. amps-preamps
  3. 158861-142585

2020 quest for stereo amp with DAC for about 1000 USD

Hello all, I am looking for a new amp for my home office...which due to covid I am in 10 hours a day.  I want to keep the price around 1000 USD.  I am driving a old pair of B&W 601s (may upgrade those later).  I need it to have at least 2 DIG inputs (CD player and HD tuner).
Soooooo... I have found the following: product, price and short pros n cons.  I would love to hear your comments on these or alternatives.
Marantz pm7000n, Alexa voice control, Heos, bluetooth, other streaming, long reliable reputation
Vincent Audio SV500, Tube pre+SS amp+DA built in, interesting idea, German Design/China made reliability??
Cambridge CXA61, super popular for value, bluetooth
Audiolab 6000a, outstanding specs, bluetooth (reminds me of NAD specs before they went Damp)
Rotel a12/a14, good specs, usb for ipod, bluetooth, why not as many loving reviews?
...
Anyways... each has a different approach... but I will say... I loved my old NAD, the Denon2112 i have now is ok but I miss the dynamic warm.

fortiz1970
d2girls's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
d2girls
1,029 posts
 
this is the easy answer to your question that you might not enjoy hearing.

you get what you pay for.
jetter
2,971 posts
 
On the other hand, you could find a used Nuforce STA200 amp which Audio Advisor just seems to have discontinued selling (for $499 new) and use the rest to buy a nice Schitt, or other DAC of your choice.  Both units combined take up about as much real estate as a single Amp.


atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,637 posts
 
If it were me I'd get a separate DAC- perhaps the Topping E30 which is quite musical outside of its price range ($130.00 with shipping; I've heard it take down DACs costing $4000.00 so this is for real) and just get a decent amp. The E-30 has remote volume and recognizes most codecies, usb, toslink and SPDIF inputs. Its the size of a paperback book. 
northman
236 posts
 
Since you loved your old NAD, maybe the C368? My son has one and it seems solid and well thought-out. I haven't looked at the NAD stuff in a while but I just got rid of an old receiver that finally kicked the bucket ... bought in 1985.
fortiz1970 OP
4 posts
 
Northman  thanks... I did think of the NAD...but the C368 has gotten some bad mixed reviews since they went to D amps.  I have seen some mixed reviews.  Now complete story... I had NAD c740 receiver... it only had analog inputs, sounded very good... but after 10 years the IR on the unit died so the remote no longer worked. So.. mixed reviews of the new Damps...plus failure after 10 years has shyed me away from NAD.  
...
YES I know... some people say "10 years is pretty good" but believe it or not... I have had amps that were 15+ years old and were still near the same.   Except my decware tube amp... but that was a tube. 
More to discover