Recommendations on integrated amps
Hello…..
Im looking for recommendations for some of the most generally popular integrated amps in the $500 to $1500ish range…new or used.
Ok before everyone gets all Andy Rooney on me here is the deal….Im looking to use this amp in our family farms workshop where we fix equipment and also maintain our pulling tractors and I need something a little better than the $50 boom box or whatever you’d call it from Wal Mart😁🙂…..basically I’m always busy with no time to spare so I’m willing to put my faith in my fellow audiophiles😊….
The $500-1500ish amount is my budget for new or used integrated amp…I have a lightly used pair of BW603 speakers that have a nice layer of dust on them in my storage room for years and to start I intend to probably hook up a Roon nucleus plus server to them because I currently have one of them on my home system and for me it seems easy enough and simple enough to easily navigate for the very basic functionality I need….basically I just pair up Tidal with my Roon and build up playlists from songs I seek over time..
I’d be appreciative of anyone who’s generous enough with their time who can give me some pointers on a good amp choice….no offense to any novices like myself but I’d prefer opinions from those who have some true knowledge and experience on stereo systems as opposed to someone like my neighbor Joe who bought his first ever amp and has claimed it to be the best amp ever made without any experience/knowledge of comparable amps…
Oh man…sorry…this is getting long winded….to put it in a nutshell I just want some popular and reputable recommendations for an integrated amp in my budget range new or used that kinda gives the most bang for the buck….I primarily listen to classic rock and a little old country music but I’ve been dabbling in other genres trying to expand my musical taste….keep in mind it’s just a system that I’d listen to while tinkering around and generally would be played at lower levels and I’m not super critical so just a relatively good clear crisp clean sound….please keep recommendations kinda basic….I don’t want to be overwhelmed and bombarded with too much in depth information where I come out of this more uncertain than when I came in☹️😁😁😁🙂….
PS
I have what I consider a descent home system…Mac C52…Mac…?..I can’t even remember….I think it’s the 452 quad balanced amp….pair of JL audio Phantom f12 subs and a pair of Jbl S4900 speakers along with JPS labs Superconductor 3 interconnects throughout and some isolators on subs and speakers….I forget the brand….Im pretty happy with it…granted I haven’t had the time or means to do a lot of research and comparisons prior to purchasing all this….just kinda went with what the local hifi shop had that was within my means and bought the Mac stuff partly because I just liked the look…but no regrets…its good enough for my ears…I’m sure there is a better sound I’d like but until I have the time and means to find it I’ll listen to my current system as music therapy to help cope with the fact that I don’t have the holy grail system that would blow away my ears in comparison to what I currently have😊😊😊
Thanks in advance for anyone willing to help!!
Much Appreciated
Boxler1066
For a shop situation, I'd say the bottom-tier Marantz AVR. They have an internal DAC and flexibility for streaming and inputs including the ROON. Nothing fancy or exotic. The NR1200 is 2-channel with HDMI connections and new is under $500. I plan to move my old Marantz AVR to my garage shop w/ some wired exterior speakers considering the environment they'll be performing in. |
Alot of good suggestions made as well as some discontinued models on discount. I can through personal use state a recommendation of an amp that is a Keces E40...I have 2. Also have a Hegel h160 and it isn't far behind, if at all on my speakers including Focal 807W, Dali Opticon 1, Triangle Zetas and ML 15i. Drove many other speakers I tried just as well at my SPL needs in my room. Also drove the Dali Menuet SE well too but generated alot of heat, it took everything it had as that speaker like some others are pigs for power. At 4 ohms and above, its fine, small and powerful enough offering SQ that beat most under a grand amps, regardless of power. Talking SQ. If I were looking for an amp, within 1500 or less other than the Keces, I would consider the Van Alstine Set 120, perhaps a few other but really would like to try it someday. Still small and light enough which I prefer over tanks. Just an FYI to consider. The Keces gives alot of well controlled bass, not flabby, or like too much that bleeds into the mids, no graininess compared to many, smooth like the Hegel although not everyone 's preference. Some like a gritty amp. Sure there's better...at a higher price, but there are alot of good options. Just not many in a small 10 lb aluminum box that looks great as well. Yes, I am a fanboy of Keces. Anyone on a budget should check it out.
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In a work in the barn environment, perhaps a class D mostly enclosed system as there will be alot of dust, moisture, etc? Like a Schiit amp or such. Or something cheap used on CL or such so if it fails just swap it out? Some of the Chifi class D might be good enough to make working more enjoyable as well.
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With 60 years of owning and selling hi-fi gear, allow me to suggest to NOT buy a tube amp for your workshop, although they might make it warmer in the Winter. They and dust might not make for the best combination as some output tubes get hot enough they might set off the dust. On the assumption your workshop will be noisy, investing in a $1,000 amplifier is, in my opinion, ridiculous. Get something like the AIYIMA D03 Bluetooth 5.0 Power Amplifier 150 Watt x 2 Stereo HiFi 2.1 CH Digital Sound Amplifier, Class D Amp, 24Bit/192kHz USB Coaxial Optica DAC, AptX, Support Subwoofer & with Remote (D03) - Amazon.com: AIYIMA D03 Bluetooth 5.0 Power Amplifier 150 Watt x 2 Stereo HiFi 2.1 CH Digital Sound Amplificador 24Bit/192kHz Class D Amp USB DAC Coaxial Optical OLED AptX, Support Subwoofer & with Remote (D03) : Electronics. It's $160 and has what you need. It'll make music; not as good as your home system, but it's a workshop; and it doesn't break the bank. Also, if you don't like it, you can always write it off as an experiment and get something else. |
