2. amps-preamps
  3. 164061-3105

Looking for a ‘’No braine’r Integrated amplifier under 7500 or so

hello all!

I’m looking for ideas on a ‘slam dunk’ flexible high value solidly performing INTEGRATED amp for an office system, but one that for a while can be my ‘go to’ or primary unit and is a bit above entry level.

preference is to buy new, but preowned in the right scenario works for me as well.

Pesently I’m starting all over in amassing gear and felt to initiate the project by wading into the water slowly.

I have on hannd remnants of my former   efforts in a then very good line stage preamp and DAC, though the DA age is showing and well behind current popular trends  and support for new formats.

also on hand are some ‘so so’ amps, and several pairs of speakers and I just added a Blue Sound Noede 2I.

ultimately I see nearly everything being replaced but felt starting with a very nice Integrated seems as good a starting point as any.

topology is as such, not too too imoportant. decent power however is key as speakers being paired here are as yet unknown. likelyhood here is a pair of monitors and a sub.

the music playback will likely be streaming from providers and NAS files.

Aesthewtix Mimas has peaked my interest currently. and having owned bAT their INT is interesting too. apart from these two I’m wide open to suggestions on current one box amp solutions..

glass or sand power here makes little difference apart from thereafter mating speakers to the INT power constraints..

your thoughts, and expieriences here are vastly appreciated. THX
blindjim
erik_squires
16,901 posts
 
In the "never have a doubt it will sound really good" category I'd put Luxman or Ayre.

My listening experience with Mc and Pass leads me to believe speaker matching is more important.
crouse99
44 posts
 
Man, so many choices at that price point or less. I would recommend you start by deciding what features you want or need such as on board Dac, on board phono, balance control, remote, etc.  From there you will still have a lot of options. I have a McIntosh MA7900 that suits my needs to a tee. Some aren’t fans of the sound of McIntosh amps but I am. Good luck!
djones51
4,947 posts
 
NAD M33 is worth a look. Depends how large an office but active speakers save some room. 
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,981 posts
 
Would add that many options for $7500. How much it actually costs will mostly depend on features and power requirements. If no brainer means going as loud and clear as you want with any speaker, for me that means 200w/ch or more. If you can live with spls that are not damaging to the ears (under 90db) then good sound with most any speaker can be had for much less.

Of course with high end audio, the sky is the limit in regards to how much it can cost but at some point you are paying mainly for build quality and/or aesthetics and the sonic benefits become more marginal and debatable as well unless you have heard the product before and had a chance to compare to others.

Then there are good quality high power tube amps which tend to be very expensive and lots of tubes to deal with and maintain .... Also inefficient and produce lots of heat.



soix
10,373 posts
 
I honestly can’t conceive of spending that much on an amp without knowing what speakers I’m going to use.  Maybe I’m just built different.  Best of luck. 
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