2. amps-preamps
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Need an integrated amp that sounds engaging at lower volume

May I please have any recommendations for an integrated streaming amp to match with Sonus Faber bookshelf speakers? My best friend wants help picking out a stereo, he's no audiophile, but he loves and collects music and he can afford a decent stereo. He wants the Sonus Fabers, so the speakers are fairly settled.

I don't stream music much but that's all he does. I have a Hegel H200 which I love but my concern is that this amp seems kind of laid back at low volume, and this guy listens to music at fairly low volume, otherwise I'd recommend a Hegel H360/390.

So I'm thinking something with a little kick and nice midrange at lower volumes would be perfect, but I would appreciate suggestions very much b/c I never had bookshelves and I like music fairly loud. If there's an amp that fits the bill under $4,000 all the better.

Thanks!

 

 

 

 

sloane27
knighttodd
201 posts
 

Don't waste your money on a Loki. They sound like, well. Get an RME ADI2 FS DAC. it has the low level loudness feature.  Put in as much bass as you want. 

mbmi's avatar
mbmi
550 posts
 

The Schiit Loki is a Gamechanger,,,I bought one and it is so good I bought a second one for my 2nd. room system.....It's better than any tone control on an integrated amp....Just buy one and you know what I mean....

lanx0003
808 posts
 

Try EQ in your player first or turn on the sub (if you have it) when listening at low volume.  That will help mitigate the rolled off bottom end.  The eq in foobar2000 I am using now is quite effective.

kongensfelt
20 posts
 

Listen! I've 2 way, sealed enclosure bookshelf speakers with sensitive 83dB (!) with a classic A amplifier. I have never been better satisfied about dynamic. I don't know why, but that's the way it is 😊

ghdprentice
6,956 posts
 

I would look at Linn. I can vouch for their high end streamer. While I have technically heard their all in one solution, I wasn’t really paying attention. But worth checking it out. Over the last decade or so, they really put some engineering effort into their DACs and streamers and have an all-in one solution.

Don’t get me wrong. For most of the last five decades I would only have thought of Linn as a turntable manufacturer. My dealer had me sit down with a top of the line Linn streamer / DAC feeding a Audio Research VSi 75 integrated amp about five years ago or so and I was blown away. Not something I would have thought in the realm of possibilities. Honestly… it really shocked me. 
 

Having said that… unless you are willing top spend top dollar. I am not an advocate of all in one boxes… they can’t compete with top notch single function boxes (see my system… you’ll get the idea.)

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