2. amps-preamps
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Spend my $8,000 pt. 2

A rehash of some previous threads so I apologize, but I'd love some help!

Need a pre/power and phono-stage (HO MC or MM) for my system system (Sony SCD-1, Totem Forests, MH MMF 7--soon to be VPI Aries 2--variety of cables), have about $8,000. I'm auditioning:

Integrateds:
Plinius 9200 (no balanced inputs!)
BAT VK-300XSE (bad phono?)
Sim i-7 (no phono!)
JRDG Concerto (bad phono/digital?)
Accustic Arts Power 1(no phono/underpowered?)

OR

Preamplifier:
Aesthtix Janus (tube--too warm?)
Ayre K1xe (over my budget!)

I know I'm picky, and I know I need to make a compromise: I either need a killer Integrated, which doesn't sacrifice too much to separates, and add a good phono stage; or, I need a preamp with a killer phono stage and find it a good power amp. Given these choices which do you think entails less of a sacrifice?

I'm also having trouble getting first-hand opinions on any of the phono sections of the components above that have them onboard. I hear the 9200 phono-stage is actually good, but only from a poster who doesn't use it. The BAT seems to get tepid reactions. Apparently no one in the _world_ owns the JRDG Concerto with the phono stage. People love the Aesthetix Calypso and the Rhea Phono, but I can't find many opnions on the Janus. Any first hand experience with these phono stages?

I only have room for two boxes. I'm not looking for lush/warm tube sound, just something accurate, neutral, with pin-point accuracy and great imaging...sheesh, I want it all! The Aesthetix at $6500 means I'll need to buy a temp. amp used and then save for something better, which I'm not adverse to. I want something that will stave off the upgrade bug and mate well with sources and speakers higher up the food chain, since I know my SCD-1 and Forests aren't the final word (for me at least). Help!

And just think, soon you get to help me pick either a phono stage or a power amp. Oh Joy!

Thanks a ton!
mimberman
mimberman OP
299 posts
 
Swampwalker: Yeah, that's what I gather about the BAT. I don't think it's ultimately the route for me regardless of the phono. This is a petty concern (and I'm petty person) but I can't stand the look of the BAT. I know it should be abot the music, and I know cosmetics are all subjective, but I'm an art dealer and can't avoid what runs through my veins.

Kurt_tank: I'm now considering the Ayre, but would have to find a good price on it, or save up some more loot. I read great things about the Phono stage, and the thing that worries me about the Aesthetix Janus is that there could be tube-rush. Anyone experience this? I could always add the Ayre outboard phono to an integrated...

Tobias: I'm getting warmer (thanks to everyone's help!) I also love the sim/totem combo. Totem uses Sim and Ayre equipment when they demo, so the K-1 and the i-7 are interesting. I'm actually nervous about the idea of tubes, because it means more tweaking and maintenace down the road compared to SS. However, the Janus gets great reviews and has some great features (that even the Ayre lacks) so I'll make careful study of it. If I stick to my budget, I could get the Sim i-7 and the Ayre outboard phono for about the same as the Aesthetix Janus would cost me, and I wouldn't have to shell out extra for a power amp. I guess the question is do I want to be limited to my choice of phono stage, and get to play around with diff. power amps, or be limited to the power amp and try diff. phono stages. I listen to 50/50 vinyl/cd so that's a tough decision. Anone else in this predicament?

Thanks everyone, and keep the help coming!
cellorover
423 posts
 
Here's an option. The new Modwright preamp at $2200 will outperform almost any preamp out there under 5-6K. I have heard it as well as have been told this by Dan and several others. Take a look at it and then you can reallocate your funds for phone stage and power amp. If you want to even have some monet left over try a pair of Channel Island DM 100 or 200 amps with the Modwright preamp. If the CI phono stage is half as good as the mono blocks, then you are done.
mimberman OP
299 posts
 
Cellorover: Thanks for the info. As the Aesthetix pre is 6500 and the Ayre pre is 8600, it appears I'm not looking at preamps under 5-6K. I'm not looking to spend this money on principa (the plinius is on my list)l, it's just worked out that way, because, and this is the other thing I've mentioned above, I only want 2 boxes (covering pre/power and phono) and these seem to satisfy my needs without sacrificing too much in any area. Also, I'm sure the Modwright is a great preamp, and I'm sure Dan has every right to be confident in it, but I will only buy gear that I can audition in NYC, and I think this precludes the Modwright. Someone emailed me offline to say they thought the sim i-7 and ayre p-5xe combo would possibly rival the aesthetix janus and ayre v-5xe combo but at about 3 grand less (although they haven't heard the i-7) so that'll bear some looking into.
rbstehno
1,467 posts
 
have you looked at the classe cap-151 integrated? also, the mcintosh ma-6900 is a nice integrated.
mimberman OP
299 posts
 
Rbstehno: I like the classe unit, but It also only goes to 225 at 4 ohm, and while that's not a concern with the Totems, I don't want to rule out the idea of getting a pair of huge brutes down the road if I end up finding something I like more than the Verity Fidelios. Also, I think the Plinius 9200 sounds better.

The Mcintosh I don't like. I know some people love Mc gear, I just may not be one of them. It's also HUGE, which is a drawback, and don't like the EQ feature (although I don't have to use it, I know).

Is it possible that there aren't integratedes in the sub 8K area that rival seperate pre/amp combos (w/out phono) the same way there are Preamps with onboard phonos that rival a line/outboard phono combo?

It seems more people end up trading their integrated for a pre/power combo than swapping out their Preamp for a 2-box line/phono solution; however, this is like comparing apples and oranges (and I'm by no means a fruit expert).

Thoughts?
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