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

@mboldda1  UK

The Gato & Audio Hungary look interesting. I'm aware of both brands but know little about them.

Russ Andrews offer an upgrade service to the M6si so considering its low cost on the used market it's a tempting option. 

@soix  Funny you should mention Octave as I currently own one of their amps & have owned 2 others in the past! As I'm familiar with the performance of this amp I think a regression within the line would be more noticeable than other manufacturers...if that makes sense!

Decware is too expensive with the options I need & that VAC would require a voltage change...plus there's no balanced input. 

Thanks all so far.

Funny you should mention Octave as I currently own one of their amps & have owned 2 others in the past! As I'm familiar with the performance of this amp I think a regression within the line would be more noticeable than other manufacturers...if that makes sense!

Ha.  I was a quantitative analyst/market strategist on Wall Street and did quite a bit of multiple regression analysis so yes, it makes perfect sense to me.  Just make sure you account for autocorrelation and heteroscedasticity 😉.  Seriously though, what Octave amps have you had and what do you think of them, and what did you end up replacing them with and why?  They’ve always been high on my radar so I’m very interested in your thoughts, impressions, and comparisons if you’re willing to share.

I am going to 1+ the Musical Fidelity recommendation. I have the M6500i and it is fantastic. It drives my speakers with such ease they sound like different speakers. MF really is about refinement and ease of effort. If you can get your hands on a dual mono design like mine, go for it.

My second choice would be a tube integrated from Line Magnetic. They offer a very good product for the money and undercut many US integrated tube companies.

I have a LM Audio as well.