Best integrated for my purposes - help me choose 1 of 3!


I did a bunch of research over the weekend and narrowed down choices.  My requirements:  2 channel amp that integrates well with my LS50 - ideally with HT Bypass.  The Ls50s are also part of my HT system.  I can use HT Bypass to send L/R to a 2 channel amp where all of my analog sources are pluged-in.    

1. Outlaw Audio 2160II  ($1k)
2. Parasound Hint6        ($3k)
3. Yamaha A-S1200 (or 2200) ($2-$3.5)

Ok, so right off the bat, the Outlaw will need a 2 amp / 1 speaker switcher - something from Niles maybe.  For $1k it's hard not to consider.  The Parasound is probably the most well recommended of all the choices - it's solid performer.  Yamaha - buy once / cry once.  I'd get years of use with the Yamaha even after the KEFs have been upgraded.

Cost is part of the consideration...  Does the Parasound sound 3x better, not sure, but probably not.  Yamaha 2x better?  Maybe, I've never read a bad review.  Steve Gutenberg suggests that the Outlaw is *very* good bang for buck!  

Thoughts?  
128x128martinman
Interesting views on the Yamaha vs Parasound. The Yamaha is a stellar choice but as someone mentioned the transformer change in this model year... I know from the amp building that this is a major foundational aspect of the design. Not sure any of the reviews floating around are valid anymore. This will introduce change for sure.  

The parasound ticks all the boxes and I just recently talked with Mr. Weinhardt :). We'll see!  
 
When I owned the original Hint it had quite loud transformer hum that also made its way into the speaker outputs. That was before I discovered some DC offset on my mains. Unless they’ve changed something about the power supply I’d be weary, maybe send an inquiry to Mr. Schram before making the purchase.

In the short time since Yamaha switched to toroids in the new X200 series, I’ve encountered a few owners complaining of hum. The remedy was an AVA Humdinger. The outgoing X100 series didn’t have this problem. If I were in your boat, I’d search for a new-old-stock 2100. They’ve been closing them out for prices closer to original MSRP of the 1100. I highly doubt the new ones sound any better by real-world metrics and the EI transformer is an advantage IMO.

@helomech Parasound HINT Halo-Integrated thus the Hint6 is in the Halo line.

I understand that, but they don’t use the same quality of parts throughout the entire Halo line. As you go higher up WITHIN the Halo line, the parts quality improves. The JC2 preamp for example, has much higher quality parts than the preamp section of the Hint.
Of the three the parasound would be the best but for straight i would go with a true vintage top notch integrated and you will get better sound and for less than three thousand dollars.
For $3250 you could get a Sugden A21se pure class A integrated...way better than any of those listed.