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.
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.
@irjones I agree but I am also worried I can be just as disappointed in a $2000 amp than in a $500 one, it's a risky game. My only safety would be if I can try it first. When I buy used, I have to call it final, as re-selling would come at a loss. On the plus side my budget is modest enough that I am not rolling the dice with 1000s just 100s. |
Here is where my $ would go.. |
@irjones Which speakers and equipment are you running with your 701 that has left you disappointed? |
@freediver It looks like a sweet deal. If I had $1500 (which I may just wait to save up) I would choose between the Simaudio, AVA and Rogue. The Hegel and the NAD C 3050 are also attractive amps but I prefer less features and power in general and digital stuff and I see fewer compelling reasons to pursue those. The Denon PMA-1600NE and the Rotel A11 have been sitting in my online shopping for a couple days now, I probably couldn't go wrong with either of them, aside from my mental defect that I need an "audiophile" amp. Thank you all for the awesome feedback! |
Within the 1k-1.5k price range i’ve owned a Yamaha A S2100 and RN 803, Vincent sv236 mkll, 237mk, and the sv 236 as well as Hegel H160, Primare I30, Sim i3.3, I5 and a few others I probably forgot about. For your speakers and musical taste I’d opt for an older Primare, you might find an I20 or I30 in or around your budget. |
