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

A friend has one of those gigantic Vincent things that sounds pretty good, and hey...it has tubes! For about what a good integrated costs you can use what I use...the well regarded Schiit Freya, an astonishingly great sounding preamp with 2 balanced inputs (and others) for your enjoyment along with other amazing features, and that thing runs to a Pass XA-25 (one of the top 5 amps anywhere for any price)...total a little over 6 grand for those, and Class A for days. More fun than an integrated including the Pass INT-25 which is 7600 bucks with 3 inputs, none balanced. Do that...be like me...come on...*sniff*...

@edcyn  If you read my initial post you'll see the reason i am selling my current integrated is not because "I fancy a change..."

I own/run an Octave V80SE integrated with a super black box. I’ve not personally heard the Lab12 Integrat4 from Greece, but it’s reviews have been stellar and it retails for about $5k. I was going to give this one a serious look for a secondary system. 

@njkrebs  Good call, I'd forgotten about Lab12. This is probably the direct competition to the X200. I'd certainly like to hear both...

The Belles virtuoso may be out of your price range, but it’s got a balanced input, and it’s 400 w per into 4 ohms. Over 16a per ch peak amps. This amp sounds amazing