2. amps-preamps
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Can't decide on Integrated Amp - Please Help

Hi, really trying to find the best deal I can on a used integrated amp. My current set up is

Monitor Audio RX6 speakers
Oppo 105

Looking for a strong integrated that if I wish to upgrade my speakers will easily handle the change.

Looking at spending no more than $3,000 for a used example and would love some help. I stream most of my music through the Oppo instead of CD's and listen to a lot of Pink Floyd, Dave Matthews, Sting etc

Few choices i have outlined and really hard to be able to audition anything and would like it to match the speakers and Oppo well

Rega Elicit - R
Krell S550i
Hegel 200 or 300 if can afford (is the DAC much better than the 105)
Stello ai500
Saw a PLINIUS HAUTONGA Intergrated A but don't know too much about company.
Modwright 200

My room is around 15 x 15 with wood floors

Thanks in advance for help
simonmorty
dayglow
1,746 posts
 
Ctsooner-You make many good points. I have not heard the flagship R series amp/pre, or the latest Evolution 7 series. I'm sure the latest Ayre products can sound fantastic when mated with the right speakers/cables ect. From my own experience I would start with a Marantz PM-11S2/3 to tackle the aggressive nature of the MA-RX6 not a AX7. Is the Marantz a better overall amp then the Ayre AX7? With my own biases/experiences I would say yes, even if the majority disagrees. The earplug comment was just poking fun at a shrill/bright treble that can occur if there is a synergistic mismatch. This was not directed against Ayre but with possible speaker synergy and room acoustics.
akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,165 posts
 
Monitor Audio speakers mate well with CYRUS electronics
They were featured together last month in Toronto at the audio expo here.
donjr
1,335 posts
 
Simonmorty, my apologies for not responding to you last month. I did not compare the H100 to the H200. I compared it to the Ayre AX7 and Luxman l505u. I loved them all but the Hegel worked out best for me at the time. I would have been happy with any of them, that's for sure.
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Dayglow, my point is that you can't make a statement that you think the Marantz is better than the Ayre when you have never heard the Ayre, let alone in the same system. That's the problem I have with your statements. I have heard the two amps vs each other. I like the Marantz unit...I like it a lot, but do yourself a favor and go listen to the amps side by side in the same system.
dayglow
1,746 posts
 
Unless the Evolution upgrade changes the overall character of the Ayre AX7(have demoed it)I stand behind my statement.
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