Recommend a non-polite sounding amp / integrated


Looking for a a non-polite sounding amp / integrated. By polite I mean Denon, Musical Fidelity, Arcam. I had Rotel and Adcom and they were harsh. I was thinking about Pass (maybe is just very detailed) or a chip amp. Probably not digital or tube amp.

Integrated is okay as long as it does not have digital volume.

Price under 3K and driving a variety of easy to drive single driver speakers at 70-75dB in a small room.

cdc

@fstein i googled what you threw out and i came up with nothing.  what brands/models are you referring to ?

@cdc  I took the opposite journey to your good self; I started off with the qualities you're looking for, but wanted more "polite".

I re-started my HiFi life after 20+ years with Naim, which is where I ended my first hifi journey. Didn't really enjoy the presentation as I once did when younger.

Switched to Atoll, the IN200 Signature another linked for you. This is a very energetic amp; definitely NOT polite 😊, although I see you don't need the 120w output. In that case, maybe look up Atoll's smaller sibling to the IN200; IN80. I've not heard this Atoll model myself, but The British Audiophile has reviewed the IN80 also and enjoyed it.

As I say, I've taken the opposite journey to you. I wanted a more polite, less in your face, balls to the wall presentation of the Atoll IN200, and ended up with a Marantz Model 30. Hope this gives some context.

Good luck with your search 👍

I had an LSA Time Warp for 3 weeks, purchased from Wally. It was horrible in my system....used passive, pre with gain, could not get it to do anything well. However, my best bud also bought one at same time ( on my recommendation no less ), and he loves his.

Yes, it is a Warp One.....And btw, what does 'non polite' mean ? My interpretation of a non polite amp would be the old Crown DC 300. 

Just as an fyi. I am enjoying a recent acquisition to my ’small’ amp collection ( small = quantity ). LOL. Not funny actually, as I have WAY too many amps ( and preamps ), all over my place. DIY FW F4, by my friend rawsonte ( keep all negative comments to your selves, ty ). It required me to use my Usher P307A, and the combination is EXTRAORDINARY. I will likely do a review / write up at some point, about my personal experiences with " where is the gain most important ", in a system. The answer is the source, of course. My best, MrD