looking for an integrated amp in the $1500 range


I need to downsize and will be selling my Aragon 4004 MKII and AVA Fet Valve Hybrid SL Preamplifier with Silver Face Plate and MM Phono.

The rest of system is Burchardt s 400 m1’s, Marantz TT 15s1, Rega M3 MM phono amp, Gustard x16 DAC. Wiim pro streamer. Sounds great mid to high level volume. Lower volume not so much so I want that quality at lower volume if possible. I’m considering Schitt RAGNAROK basic model or Rogue Sphinx 3. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with these or other suggestions. Thanks in advance.

andrake

I totally understand where you are coming from, selling can be a hassle. But the truth is low level listening has much more to do with the speaker, its impedance curve and its sensitivity, then the amplifier’s characteristics. You already have a very beefy amp which is more then capable of driving your speakers, so if that amp doesn’t do it for you at low volumes, a $1,500 integrated will likely be a downgrade. Plus as I mentioned, high sensitivity speakers may cost a bit more up front, but you can easily get away with a lower cost integrated.

True high sensitivity designs tend to be large to compensate for the bass tradeoff, the Heresy is among the smallest that I know of with a true high 90’s sensitivity. Honestly from a floor space perspective it doesn’t take up much more room then a stand mounted speaker. Are you placing these on a cabinet or shelf? If not I’d seriously consider them, they are awesome. Many people actually place them on stands. I’ve even been to a bar that had some old versions wall mounted. The sound was incredible. I have the Forte IV’s myself and they’ll never leave.

Another way to achieve high sensitivity without a huge box is to get rid of the crossover and use a full range driver. Zu Audio has a few designs like this and they do make a bookshelf, though its a rather large bookshelf. Check out the Zu DWX. I have no personal experience with the DWX though. Others may be able to chime in.

I found that low level listening was best done with super quiet gear. I had a lot of success with Benchmark AHB2 and LA4 preamp for that type of listening. Music details at low volume are not obscured by noisy gear.

Now if you want to skip the low level requirement but in the same physical space. Get a RAAL SR1a earphone and have 2 channel sound at any volume level in your space. I listen to the SR1a or CA-1a (not 2-channel sound) late at night, such as right now, when everyone is sleeping. Listening to Led Zeppelin now and it is as loud as I want it. I am using a Schitt Aegir amp for this ($800).

Try an Allen Eaton tube amp (no need for pre), and a pair of caintuck audios fast 15 - that setup is slightly over budget but man will it sound magical at low to mid volume levels. Great combo.

Higher sensitivity speakers. Will make the biggest difference, especially if your looking for a $1500 integrated to fix your problem. Your 400's are rated at 87db, which means they are probably along the lines of 85db. I've never heard your 400's but with those specs I would imagine you need to turn it up a little to hear all the details, dynamics, and bass on the same level. Lower the volume and you are missing a couple quality's of the loudly played music.

If what I'm describing is the issue you are having then I think you should look for higher sensitivity speakers. If what I described is not really a problem for you then spend your money elsewhere. Good luck