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
sidog1460's avatar
sidog1460
59 posts
 

I was also thinking Musical Fidelity. There’s one listed for $2200.00, it’s the M6 Encore 225. Sounds pretty interesting.

jwillox
188 posts
 

check our a Parasound Hint 6
https://parasound.com/hint6.php

Solid stuff and brimming with plenty of headroom, dynamics and power. 

socalml528's avatar
socalml528
138 posts
 

https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/integrated-amplifiers/MA352

What's that tag line from Porsche, "There is no substitute" 

Once you un-leash the 200W potential, play with the EQ if you want, connect to MM phono port or just use the outstanding headphone port; you won't find a better hybrid IA. If the day should ever come, you can sell it for what you paid for it.

 

havocman
350 posts
 

I agree with the two other guys I would definitely change your Source because that is the most important, I think you're integrated is very good and I think your weakness is your MacBook pro.If you don't have a good source nothing else matters in front of it cuz it won't sound good even if you have the most expensive components.

coffee-jerk
73 posts
 

I may be off topic, but I just love love love that you mention WAF in the same post as NHT 3.3’s.   I had 3.3’a for almost 20 years, and man they visually take over a room.  At my house, the acceptance factor was exactly “zero”, or whatever score corresponds to “anywhere but the living room”.  
Anyway, no wisdom to add about the 3.3 + integrated.  I had luck my best experience with solid state separates.   I always used a 50W BEL amplifier, which was a glorious match.  I had a decent experience with a Quicksilver tube preamp, but finally settled on a Krell preamp feeding the BEL.  

 

Best of luck!

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