A decent integrated amp under 2K ...


I'm looking for an INTEGRATED AMP. My speakers are Altec 620A (100 db efficiency) and my listening room is 14 x 21. I mainly listen to digital files from my DAC (Metrum) but sometimes I feel less lazy and put on a vinyl on my Garrard. I don't need a phono stage, I use the one from another integrated amplifier (Spendor D40). Here's my shortlist:

1) Belles Aria Integrated (slightly powerful for my needs)

2) Croft phono integrated (since I don't need a phono stage, I think it's a shame to burn tubes for nothing)

3) Rogue Sphinx V3 (too powerful for my needs)

FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS: I can live with tubes but only in the PREAMP section and I try to avoid Class A due to the heat. I'm open to Class D (proof: the Rogue) but the choice is limited and these devices come with a bunch of stuff I don't need. I rather spend my $ where it will make a difference.

regards

128x128alaindexe

With 100db speakers, you could go for a pretty low powered tube that wouldn't give off much heat. Are you concerned with too much heat in the room overall(not a worry) or someone touching it and burning themselves? Plenty of designs have cages that would prevent that. 

IMHO, if best overall SQ with those speakers is the priority, class A is the way to go. 

A couple to consider: Air Tight ATM1, Mastersound Compact 300 or Compact 845, many Shindo models

Cheers,

Spencer

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Take a look at the Wyred4Sound STI-v2. Class D. Volume, balance, and phase controls; nothing you don’t need. Originally $2500, now $1300. Way, way more power than you need (it’s certainly more than I need) but it sounds very good.

Good luck!
 

Jim