2. amps-preamps
  3. 184732-2897

Integrated suggestions

Hi all,  for personal reasons I need to sell my $17k tube integrated & would have to replace it with something much cheaper - around $4k, maybe $5k...

I only mention the price of my current amp so you're familiar with the level of performance to which I am accustomed. 

It would need to have at least one balanced input, line only is fine, at least 30W PC, any class is OK as long as it offers exceptional performance for its price point! Tube or SS. Capability to run 4ohm speakers.

Any suggestions...?

I know there are many but you guys may suggest something I may not consider.

Thanks. 

128x128infection
soix
8,662 posts
 

If you prefer a more neutral sound this Octave V40SE is very highly regarded and well worth a look…

https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/257-octave-audio-v-40-se-integrated-amplifier#:~:text=For%20those%20in%20pursuit%20of,V%2040%20SE%20highly%20enough.&text=Price%3A%20%244900%20USD.
 

If you’re looking for maybe a little more tube goodness and are open to buying used I think this Audio Hungary X200 could also be great, and I believe the seller offers an in-home trial period that’s really great to have…

https://www.ebay.com/itm/225597593896

Hope this helps, and best of luck.

hgeifman
2,110 posts
 

I own the Musical Fidelity M-6Si integrated amp. I am VERY surprised it sounds this good.

The Musical Fidelity M6si offers excellent performance, facilities, and power. As per the Musical Fidelity web site “Internally, the M6si is configured as 2 independent monobloc power amps with a separate preamp. It is, in fact, a preamp with 2 monobloc power amps that just happen to share the same casework. The M6si has 220wpc. It has very low distortion, outstanding noise ratio and extremely flat frequency response”. I am very happy with my Musical Fidelity M-6Si integrated amp since this amplifier deliveries the sound quality I am looking for.

Musical Fidelity M6Si amp link:

M6si In Brief

  • 220WPC
  • Excellent technical performance
  • Amazing load driving ability, unconditional stability will drive any loudspeaker
  • Wide range of useful inputs including asynchronous USB and switchable MM / MC Phono
  • Preamp output
  • Internally it is a separate preamp with two independent monobloc power amps; effectively a separates system in a box
  • Excellent, hunky build quality
  • One XLR Balanced in line
yyzsantabarbara
4,470 posts
 

This may have gone up in price to 6-7K and is not tube, but sounds extremely smooth. The KRELL K-300i (new XD model)

mboldda1's avatar
mboldda1
575 posts
 

@infection where are you located.

paulcreed
535 posts
 

soix are nice recommendations, I owned the Octave and then Audio Hungary 20 watt class a amp both were very nice. Only reason I let Audio Hungary go was their US audio repair center was closing down and I would have to ship it to Hungary there and back at my expense if repairs were needed. It may be different now. I settled on Conrad Johnson CAV 45 S2 running it with Mullard xf2 tubes which make a fairly large improvement over some of other new production and NOS power tubes I tried. There is a lot of fairly nice 4 to $5000 intergraded amps out there it can get a little confusing, good luck in your search.

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