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Integrated Amp Choices

From numerous visits to audio stores in the BIG city 2 hours south of my place, and after listening to a couple of dozen speakers (up to $18,000) both passive and active. Our simple ears have narrowed it down to these 2 speakers (so far):
KEF R11s - https://us.kef.com/r11.html and Triangle AustraleEZs - https://www.trianglehifi.com/en/produit/hifi-floor-standing-speaker-ez-australe/ These 2 sound the best to both my wife, offer good value and both very close to each other in price.

Here are a few integrated amps (in around the $5K range) that I am considering and I was hoping the community can give their votes to which would compliment the speakers of choice (so far) the best?

https://simaudio.com/en/product/340i-x-integrated-amplifier/

https://www.anthemav.com/products-current/model=str-integrated-amplifier/page=overview

http://www.luxman.com/product/detail.php?id=2

https://www.sugdenaudio.com/anv-50-integrated-amplifier

https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/integrated-amplifiers/MA5300

On Sale Occasionally:

https://bryston.com/amplifiers/b1353/

https://www.marklevinson.com/products/integrated-amplifiers/MARK+LEVINSON+NO+5802.html?dwvar_MARK%20LEVINSON%20NO%205802_color=Black%20%2F%20Silver-US-Current&cgid=integrated-amplifiers

Onboard DAC is a big consideration too, so hoping for your further comments on DAC sections as well.

Prefer new or demo over used.

Thanks,
High-amp





high-amp
high-amp OP
508 posts
 
anotherbob - boy, another great suggestion!
Boy, they are really starting to pile up! 
ja_kub_sz's avatar
ja_kub_sz
273 posts
 
I'm super impressed with that Anthem STR after reading about it.

So the KEF's sounded that good (not surprised).

A close second  would be the 5300 as I always have a soft spot for McIntosh amps.

Post picture once you get everything!
high-amp OP
508 posts
 
ja_kub_sz - I am honored, your first post, welcome!
I will definitely check out the Anthem (if I can find one around here?)
Years ago, I had a McIntosh MA6600, it was good, but not as musical as my Coda CSIB, but if looks could kill...
And, yes of course, pictures will go up for sure, maybe be a while though. Still awaiting permits for my remodel and with Covid, everything County related is going at a snail's pace.
anotherbob's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
anotherbob
344 posts
 
I forgot to mention, I have the NAD M33 and it’s been flawless in streaming Qobuz and the sound is just right through my Monitor Audio Gold 100 speakers in my small bedroom setup.  No doubt with 200 watts @ 8 ohms it will fill a good size room, too.
high-amp OP
508 posts
 
anotherbob - that M33 has got some pretty rave reviews, but I'm not sure if I am completely ready for a all-in-one box solution. It was even tough for me to go to an integrated amp (ex CSiB). That's why I am quizzing everybody's use of the onboard DACs that come with some of these amps. Maybe if they are upgradeable, that's OK. 
My last music server was just a simple Roon Nucleus, hooked up via USB to my DAC and that's it. I could stream Tidal, search Roon for any music I so desired and could store my ripped CD's on an internal hard drive, al for $1,300. Worked flawlessly, but yes, it didn't have that slick display of the M33.
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