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
bassdude
498 posts
 
Yes - agree 100% - select the speakers first.

Otherwise - you stand a good chance of selecting the wrong amp.

For example - I got Harbeth 30.1’s and 40.2’s thinking they would sound great with my tube amps. They didn’t. Then found that Harbeth recommends only select SS amps to drive them to there full potential - and typically shows them with Hegel amps. Got the Hegel H590 integated - voila - it totally transformed the Harbeths to some of the best sound available. Would have sold them otherwise.

The Hegel H390 and H590 are outstanding with the right speakers (eg. Harbeths, etc.)

The McIntosh MA252 or MA352 hybrid amps also do well with Harbeths - superb actually.

The same is true with Maggies - only a great SS amp drives them to their full potential.

On the other hand Proacs love Line Magnetic tube amps! Also superb.

Very efficient speakers can mate well with tube amps.

So decide on your speakers first and then find the optimum electronics to drive them!!!
hshifi
572 posts
 
Hello,
I apologize. I thought you had the KEFs. If not that then I recommend your Silverline S15s. I know these speakers are really good. You will need some nice stands to get them at the right level. Here is a Silverline link:http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/revequip/silverline_sr15.htm
Next I would get a REL T9i sub= $1500. Later I would tell you to get two. I would tell you to get two now but your budget is needed on the int. amplifier.You can go with the Hegel 120 and buy two REL subs but you miss out on the better DAC and almost triple the power in the Hegel390 over the DAC/ amp in the Hegel120. Finally is the NAD M33. This is $5000 and would leave you a few bucks for stands. Just so you know BlueSound is a great streamer with the right DAC. The better the DAC the better it sounds. Hegel play down to 2 ohms. My local Hifi store sells the NAD and Hegel but not the Rel. Just so you know.. the difference between the older T9 and the T9i are which driver is active. The older ones fire down and the front is passive. The T9i is front firing and down driver is passive. Both are great but you will want to get two in the end. If you cannot find two matching older ones get one new one and add a second one later when the budget opens up. This setup will be for a long time. Maybe 20years. The DAC in the Hegel well outperforms the NAD M33 DAC. This is where I have been buying my gear for over 20 years. https://holmaudio.com/
vdotman's avatar
vdotman
147 posts
 
Simaudio
Musical Fidelity 
Luxman
Bel Canto E1X ($8500)
Hegel
cheche9's avatar
cheche9
45 posts
 
My LFD NCSE will better most integrates out there 
very simple design, no remote not even markings on face plate but if what you are looking for is a fast highly detailed musical sound don’t look any further!
axeis1
299 posts
 
I have a Mimas. It is fabulous. Just be prepared to wait. They’re all made in California by hand and honestly I think Aestheix is leaving money on the table, it really is that good. 
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