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
BLACK ICE AUDIO - Integrated amplifier F22 with EL34's Check with WALLY @ UNDERWOOD HI-FI . You should be able to negotiate a deal for around $1500.00 shipped and delivered. This is one of Jim Fozgate's new creations. Reports are pretty much spectacular. It is capable of upgrading to 6550'S, KT88's, KT120's and even KT150's. Can produce as much refined power as you'll need. Check out the BLACK ICE AUDIO website for more info. |
If you could somehow forego your integrated requirement, you could get an absolutely fantastic system with Schiit Vidar (2x100W) + Schiit Freya S + Schiit Modius/Bifrost for almost exactly $2k. This is also future proof so that in the future, if you decide to change to less efficient and bigger speakers, you could add another Vidar and use them in bridged mode to get 2 x 400Watts, for only an extra $700.
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@bob540 : I believe the Audiolab wouldn't be an improvement on my actual amp which is a Sugden A25B. @brandonfin : not a bad idea but I believe the Naim is quite similar to my actual amp, a Sugden A25B. there wouldn't be a major improvement @mazian : that's what I'm planning on doing unless someone has a better idea. @dustyb13 : I believe the Arcam wouldn't be an improvement on my actual amp which is a Sugden A25B. @axpert : as mentionned previously, I don't want tubes in the output section. @charles7 : look at previous comment. @cakyol : I though about the Schitt and even went online to check them out but dropped the idea, I don't remember why... @hickamore : as mentionned in my post, I don't want an integrated full of features that I don't need... |
With 100 dB speakers, I would look for an SET int amp, a Nelson Amp Camp Amp, or a Dennis Sanderson Fleawatt amp. I have had several Fleawatt amps and you’ll be very surprised how little you are giving up in sound quality compared to SET amps, and you’ll save a ton of money too.
Ah, re-reading your post and see you don’t want the heat of Class A and tubes. Go check out http://fleawatt.blogspot.com |
