just let's not call it "budget" or cheap. It's all relative
Integrated Amps
I'm debating whether to upgrade my Marantz integrated with a better performing and higher powered integrated or simply add a separate amp and use the Marantz as a pre-amp. I've looked at stepping up to the Marantz model 30 or 40n, PS Audio Stellar Strata, Music Fidelity M5si/M6si. But then the Heaven 11 Billie caught my eye.
Has anyone had any experience with the Heaven 11 Billie integrated amp? It's a hybrid class D amp w/ a tubed pre-amp. The reviews I've watched seem to give the unit high marks for sound quality, presentation, sound stage, and because of the tubed pre-amp, an analog warmth to the otherwise "cold" sound of a class D amp.
https://heaven11audio.com/billie2-amp-features-specs/?v=7516fd43adaa
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The Heaven 11 offers a compelling value and feature proposition: integrated with good power, tube preamp, DAC, headphone amp, phono preamp. Peachtree used to offer a similar integrated, but in a less visually-appealing package. Vincent Audio also has hybrid integrateds with tube preamp section in a couple of their amps, but they are at higher prices. I don’t know how recent ICEPower class D modules compare to other modules. I had Peachtree's Nova 300 integrated which was a powerful class D amp with ICEPower modules, but that was a much older design. I have been using a combination of a ProJect PreBox RS2 Digital (selectable tube section) preamp/DAC/headphone amp that has bluetooth and a phono preamp with a separate NAD C298 class D amp with Purifi modules which is a very good combination, more power (185W/8R) but more expensive and without the visual appeal of the Heaven 11 Billie Mk II.
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I also must agree that Hegel integrated amplifiers are excellent, but from the H190 and up. I've not particularly liked the H120 (which is more expensive than the Billie amp), but the H190 (now H190V) is excellent and offers a ton of value....but at $4,200. The H390/H400 are better still (and a friend just upgraded to the H400 which is really really sweet), but again at $6,500......where are we in the budget? |
Dear @vuch : " I upgraded to the A3’s in regards to what it would take to bring the sonic level of my rig up to what I heard in the demo. "
You said that upgraded almost all what you owned and in other thread I read that a friend of you is offering to listen a SS phono in your room/system. I wonder and I would ask if you can share your today system ( other than the TA Zeus. ) surrounded those very good A3’s. Could you? Thank’s in advance.
Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS, R. |
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