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Newb - Ideas For Quality vs Quantity For 2 Ch Amp/Pre or Integrated (and speakers)

I'm getting out of HT and going 2 channel.  I have always just purchased my electronics and speakers for bang-for-buck at local shops.  2 channel is very new to me, and auditioning at local shops is not providing a lot of variety or options.

After selling my current setup, it's put me in a good financial position for new gear <$15k.

I'd like to put my money towards quality sound vs quantity - I don't need more than 100w, my ears have had enough at 55 yo.  My room is 15 x 20.  Only source is streaming.  I play music all day (class A tubes out?)

I really like physical appearance of gear, and have ruled (at this time) simple face plates.  Mc, Luxman, Yamaha, Accuphase are all beautiful faces, but can't audition them all.

Any suggestions of amps/pre's and integrated with speakers I can consider...I'm overwhelmed because this 2 ch is all new to me.
bgm1911
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,645 posts
 
Asking a one note Samba to play something else?

Good one.
raysmtb1's avatar
raysmtb1
809 posts
 
I’ve had great luck buying used mcintosh on Audiogon and usaudio. Check out my system page. The stuff sounds great, built like tank and holds its value with the best of them
geof3
1,129 posts
 
Try not to completely rule out “simple face plates”. Hegel for example are excellent integrateds, with minimalist, modern looks. Parasound is another good example with the Hint 6 integrated, or a separates system. Very affordable and capable. Pass Labs used is a nice start too. You can put together a nice, but “used” Audio Research separates system together if you choose wisely and even get a good hybrid tube pre/SS amp for good starter $$. Speakers are another discussion entirely. You will get a different “opinion” from every answer. You’ll need to see what you have available to audition. A recommendation from here can be good, but still a crap shoot as a speaker that sounds amazing in one room/setup, might not in another. Then there are cables... and everything else. Just realize you are embarking on a journey, and unless you get REALLY lucky, you will most likely be seeking out just the right everything for awhile.
skypunk's avatar
skypunk
499 posts
 
Check out Hybrid gear like Vincent or Pathos Acoustics.

I have a Pathos Classic One MKIII and it is a wonderful hybrid and will drive anything speaker wise. 
soix
10,364 posts
 
There are too many options out there to make a meaningful recommendation.  If you could describe what type of sound and sound characteristics are most important to you it’ll help greatly to narrow down recommendations more toward what you’re actually looking for. 
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