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Affordable SS Integrated for Merlin TSMs

I'm looking for some opinions on some solid state integrated amps to drive a pair of Merlin TSMs for my 12x12 bedroom. I'll be feeding them Lossless files through my Mac Mini.

I'd like to keep the price (used) around $400-700. I have done some research and the few that stand out are the Naim Nait 5 (non-i) and the Rega Mira. It seems these are generally considered a little better than the NAD/Rotel lines. I don't have the money for Krell, Simaudio, etc.

Right now I have a panasonic XR57 and a Dussun V6i. I love the Dussun. It has weight in the bass, is super smooth, and detailed. But it is just too big for me. I also have an Onix Sp3 on the way, but I know the heat a maintenance of tubes will be too much for me over time; plus I really want a remote.

How do the Naim and the Rega stack up given the associated gear? Are there other SS integrateds int his used price range that stand out?
mailman199
chazzbo
1,007 posts
 
I don't know about sound quality but I have seen some 60 watt (.1% distortion at 8 ohms and 60 watts .01 at 40 watts into 8 ohm) from Honk Kong outfit called HLLC (just search T amp),That's way cheaper than a Redwine 30 watt.T amps have tonal quality of tube amps (no valve "bloom" of course).Ask Bobby if people have used them with T amps like Redwie though a used one would be $800.Great sopund low volume levels in that room and no tube heat hassles???????????All the amps listed above are good for money (I sold the Rega)but maybe you want close to tubes and this is a path to look into.But best advice ask Bobby.
Chazz
chazzbo
1,007 posts
 
Ooops that was supposed to read HLLY,Here;s some dope
http://chancelucky.blogspot.com/2009/08/hlly-t-90-cheap-class-d-amp-with-actual.html
nolitan
865 posts
 
Merlins loves tubes though. I never had luck with them using s/s amps.
Look at the EL34 Jolida amps or the EL34 Cayins amps from China. these work great with the TSMs.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,805 posts
 
If you love the sound of the Dussun, try to get by the looks of it. Nothing else will sound like it, let alone better, unless you luck out.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
I agree the Merlins would sound best with an EL34 based tube amp, but if SS is the way you want to go, at that price point, I always thought the Rotel gear was a good value and they seem to upped the build quality of there chassis and front panels in recent years. It would be hard to pick one from a list like Rotel, NAD, Arcam, Rega, Creek, Naim, and Cambridge, but at that price point these would be the companies I would consider for sound, build, and support. I think they all play in the same league and none would be "much" better than the others. I would proabably choose on the basis of features and looks within this group, I don't think one is clearly better than the rest. I would call Bobby for his recommedation. There was some Italian SS integrated, the Audio Analogue Puccini he seemed to like quite a bit.
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