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Move From AVR to Integrated?

I know this topic gets thrown around a lot, but I recently bought a pair of Ascend Acoustic Sierra 1s I love and a Hsu VTF2 MK5 subwoofer. Right now, I'm using a Denon AVR-X2600H to power them. 

I hear a lot of chatter that I'm not getting the most out of my speakers using the AVR. The drawback is my room is not treated, and I like having the bass management. 

It seems difficult to find an integrated with 100wpc+, ability to stream things like Tidal, that also has ability to at least EQ the low bass, and have the ability to connect to digital sources like a PS4/5. I do like the idea of a better built power source, and I will never go past 2.1 or 2.2. Most of what I do is music and TV. 

Any suggestions? Ideally I'd like to stay under 1200. 
coolhandduke
bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,597 posts
 
There are always ‘holes’, that’s why we keep buying stuff 😁

But, believe me, as I’ve been where you are now, your biggest hole is trying to get good 2 channel music from an AVR. Get that out of the chain, and your other holes won’t seem so large.

Believe me, as I didn’t want to believe that my AVR couldn’t be an acceptable 2 channel preamp either, surrounded by all my other upgrades....separate amp, separate phono stage, separate DAC, etc. Then  kicked myself for not getting the AVR out of the music chain sooner after I hooked up the little Parasound pre. Oh well, at least I had bought all those other goodies along the journey, some replaced, and still others to be replaced....including the Zpre eventually  :-)
coolhandduke OP
46 posts
 
@bkeske Haha.  That's certainly true. And yeah, I'm certainly leaning towards changing up to a more audio oriented setup. The advice I'm getting here is helping a lot so that I'm making a worthwhile investment. 
coolhandduke OP
46 posts
 
Here are the 2 options I'm seeing right now based on 2 different approaches: 

  1. Outlaw Audio 2160 (999) with something like Dayton streamer (maybe 60ish). Upsides are components are designed to work together and offer bass management. Downside is needing to replace entire unit to upgrade. 
  2. Separates - something like Topping E30 DAC (130), Dayton streamer, preamp (maybe buy used on this/something around 300-400), power amp (dual mono from Outlaw 700). Downside is no bass management. Benefit is ability to upgrade individual components
So that's where I'm at for the moment. 
bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,597 posts
 
Audio Advisor has the Parasound NewClassic 200 integrated for $899 right now. 
Although the Outlaw looks interesting, I would trust overall sound quality to Parasound. But that’s just me. The NewClassic would basically do everything the Outlaw does without WiFi. But, if you get that inexpensive Dayton streamer, that would take care of that.

I assume you will hook up your TV via optical?
coolhandduke OP
46 posts
 
@bkeske Looks like the 899 is for the pre one not the integrated unless I'm not finding it. I do not know enough about amplifier class, but Outlaw is AB and Parasound is D. I'm sure it's a whole other discussion about the pros and cons of each. Yes, either optical or coaxial. Since I only use my PS4 right now, I can feed optical directly into DAC or preamp. 
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