2. amps-preamps
  3. 191177-158118

Primare/ Vincent Adio /NAD /Rogue/ AVA /Hegel...- need a simple and reliable integrated

I came up with this list based on price and functions but all I know is that they are (mostly) boutique brands, cherished by audiophiles. I have heard NAD and Vincent and none of the rest. 

  • Vincent SV-500
  • Primare I2*
  • Rogue Sphinx v2
  • Audio by Van Alstine Vision SLR 
  • Hegel H160/ H120
  • NAD C368
  • Simaudio Moon I-5

I don't stream, I have a turntable and CD player. I am good with 50Watts per channel, and I would like to avoid tubes for no-fuss maintenance. I have Klipsch RP8000F speakers. I prefer sound on the warm side, I mostly listen to 60s and 70s rock and some soul/jazz/blues. I have decent hearing, I enjoy a nice soundstage but I nothing as critical and analytical as some of you/the typical audiophile. 

I am a bit shallow, looks are important :) My budget would allow me to buy one of these used 5-10 years old (stretched... price is key, I would prefer a cheaper model with less functions)

If you own or have heard any of them and can tell me what the best choice/value is based on sound and reliability, that would be a great help.

gano
freediver
1,155 posts
 

Well you didn’t specify your budget so that would help..Also at least 1 of those hasn’t been made in years & brings a premium on the used market as well as NOT having a PHONO stage(SimAudio i5)..
The Vincent,Hegel H160/H120 & Primare DO NOT have PHONO Stages,the A.V.A.is a PREAMP ONLY and the NAD is Class D which I would think might not have ANY warmth at all with Klipsch speakers...
Of all the I/A’s you listed,the Rogue Sphinx V2 looks like it would be the best choice even though it has tubes in the pre amp stage they are low level & will give many thousands of hours use without needing any care or replacement..It has a good PHONO stage that will use either MM or MC cartridges,excellent headphone circuit & the 12AU7 tubes can add some nice warmth to those Klipsch speakers..Sounds like a winner to me!

gano OP
141 posts
 

@freediver 

thanks! 

My oversight about AVA

I have a phono preamp, I don't need it in the integrated, so I should have mentioned it.

My budget is around $800. These are all around 12-1400 so I would have to keep saving or get lucky.

I am very interested in the Rogue as well in the Primare. I am lukewarm on the Vincent and the NAD but they seem to be good mid-fi amps. The Hegel is at the higher end, price-wise, so I should probably get it out of my head.

I will read up about the Rogue! 
I would also add Sugden but it's way out of my budget.

gano OP
141 posts
 

I should add Audio by Van Alstine ca1

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