2. amps-preamps
  3. 173846-151014

Suggestions for an integrated upgrade please

Hello everyone,

I am looking to upgrade my integrated here is my system

FLAC on mac book pro — Singxer Su6—Lampizator level4+ Gen5—jolida jd1000a

with gold lions preamp tubes and Mullard tubes— NHT 3.3 speakers

Before the Jolida I had an Hegel H100.

I like the midrange of the Jolida, it has a nice presence, nice timbres but the problem is when raise the volume, I don’t go deeper inside the music, it just gets louder but the sound doesn’t get bigger, soundstage is small. Also there’s no air with this amp. Bass is very weak.

 

The Hegel was technically nicer but I could never emotionally with the music on this amp. It just sounded fake.

 

I listen to 65-85dbs level, my room is small, 12’x18’

 

I want to stay with an integrated as my wife wont allow multiple components ans cables in the room

 

The NHT 3.3 are rates 87db @ 6ohm

 

I listened to a Kora 400, which sounded amazing but at 12k usd it is out my budget

 

It is hard to organize listening session because of covid

so I am looking for suggestions to narrow down the numbers of sessions needed.

 

I don’t mind if it is tube or transistor as long as it has beautiful midrange, timbres, deep soundstage and air.

 

budget is 3 to 5K usd, I don’t mind buying used or new.

 

any suggestions are welcome!

 

thanks

 

 

 

 

maurice89
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,624 posts
 

I concur, the only "fake" is Apple created.

maurice89 OP
31 posts
 

 I will kindly ignore your off topic comments and wait for suggestions for a better integrated 

soix
9,552 posts
 

Octave v70SE

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,518 posts
 

Maybe it's time for separate components?

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 

Integrateds are the way to go, I've run them for years. The Raven Nighthawk or Blackhawk will give you everything you are looking for. I have The Blackhawk, it is an excellent amp with excellent imaging and bass. Its best feature though is after running about 90 minutes it takes on a captivating air that is just plain magical. I mean it sounds good right away, but then after an hour or so, wow.

Mine is used with the 98dB Tekton Moab and will go loud, very loud, in my 17x24x9 room. Your NHT are only 87dB, we ran it with some speakers that were also 87dB and it wouldn't play as loud of course but it filled my room with a lot more volume than the 65-85 you're talking. Volume will not be a problem, certainly not in your room. Beautiful midrange, timbre, soundstage and air, it has in spades. 

Check out their web page, search around and read reviews. Very highly regarded amps for the money. You will notice they have a number of tube options. There are also a number of tube options not listed on the site. Dave Thompson is a bona fide tube guru with a massive hoard of NOS that he shares only within the Raven family. You don't just "tube roll", it is more like consulting with the sommelier as to the wine to have with dinner in a fine French restaurant. Call and talk with James or Dave. Especially Dave. He set me up with a combination he knows works well with my Moabs. They sure do! They can also help with which amp might be better with your system. I know The Blackhawk is exceptional, but never heard in comparison with the Nighthawk. 

 

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