^^^
Thanks for the info Alderash. Sitting next to each other in the audition room and driven by the same source and amplification, the RX6 sounded like what it was, a compact floorstander. With the addition of one more woofer and a couple inches bigger in each direction, the RX8 somehow sounded like a huge floorstander by comparison.
A powerful 2-channel integrated is certainly the Anthem 225. You can use it with your sub and everything. Another integrated I like *a lot* is the Marantz PM8004. Although it's in their regular product lineup, it is built at Marantz's Reference line facility in Japan. It shares similar component quality and is the only mid-level Marantz amp to use their HDAM gain module, which they use throughout the Reference line. The PM8004 doesn't have the brute power of the Anthem, but at 100w into 4 ohms (the Monitor Audio RX8 is 4 ohms) it sounds like it's much more powerful. Its grip on multi-woofered ported speakers is exemplary. It has the speed and low level detail of a boutique amp. It reproduces all the recording venue ambience and draws the listener (me) into the performance. I heard this $999 integrated power a $12K pair of Sonus Faber Cremona Ms as though it was born to the task.
The Anthem is a great amp with lots of power at $1500, but the Marantz is kind of special. Here's the TAS review.
Thanks for the info Alderash. Sitting next to each other in the audition room and driven by the same source and amplification, the RX6 sounded like what it was, a compact floorstander. With the addition of one more woofer and a couple inches bigger in each direction, the RX8 somehow sounded like a huge floorstander by comparison.
A powerful 2-channel integrated is certainly the Anthem 225. You can use it with your sub and everything. Another integrated I like *a lot* is the Marantz PM8004. Although it's in their regular product lineup, it is built at Marantz's Reference line facility in Japan. It shares similar component quality and is the only mid-level Marantz amp to use their HDAM gain module, which they use throughout the Reference line. The PM8004 doesn't have the brute power of the Anthem, but at 100w into 4 ohms (the Monitor Audio RX8 is 4 ohms) it sounds like it's much more powerful. Its grip on multi-woofered ported speakers is exemplary. It has the speed and low level detail of a boutique amp. It reproduces all the recording venue ambience and draws the listener (me) into the performance. I heard this $999 integrated power a $12K pair of Sonus Faber Cremona Ms as though it was born to the task.
The Anthem is a great amp with lots of power at $1500, but the Marantz is kind of special. Here's the TAS review.