2. amps-preamps
  3. 172680-34747

A decent integrated amp under 2K ...

I'm looking for an INTEGRATED AMP. My speakers are Altec 620A (100 db efficiency) and my listening room is 14 x 21. I mainly listen to digital files from my DAC (Metrum) but sometimes I feel less lazy and put on a vinyl on my Garrard. I don't need a phono stage, I use the one from another integrated amplifier (Spendor D40). Here's my shortlist:

1) Belles Aria Integrated (slightly powerful for my needs)

2) Croft phono integrated (since I don't need a phono stage, I think it's a shame to burn tubes for nothing)

3) Rogue Sphinx V3 (too powerful for my needs)

FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS: I can live with tubes but only in the PREAMP section and I try to avoid Class A due to the heat. I'm open to Class D (proof: the Rogue) but the choice is limited and these devices come with a bunch of stuff I don't need. I rather spend my $ where it will make a difference.

regards

128x128alaindexe

Showing 3 responses by elliottbnewcombjr

elliottbnewcombjr
5,248 posts
 

I am very happy with my Cayin A88T

this is what convinced me

https://6moons.com/audioreviews/cayin/a88t.html

if you search, you probably can find a new one just within your budget.

I bought a used one, they are very solidly made.

 

 

elliottbnewcombjr
5,248 posts
 

On all day, holy SMOKES.

 

elliottbnewcombjr
5,248 posts
 

OP,

well, I didn’t read your full post, so I missed ’no tubes in output stage’, I was ready to get my butt outta this chair, I just wanted to let you know how terrific the Cayin sounds in case you didn’t know. IMO it’s a terrific value and one of the best sounding amps I have heard, sure glad I tried it.

people give me contrarian advice, I do the same, so no offence, but with those efficient speakers, and modern integrated tube amps with easy and safe bias meters, I have to ask:

Is it possible you are limiting the ’sound’, what it’s all about, for practical considerations? Based on past experiences when you perhaps knew less, had too much power/heat .... IOW, things are different with your current setup.

Your speakers will easily fill the space with a 25 wpc amp, that ain’t too much heat, tubes or SS.

Tubes can last 10,000 hrs, for me that’s around 14 years. We can blow em, and we all want quad matched, but even so, it’s not a big deal.

Not having confidence about your tubes IS a big deal, pre or amp stage, which is why I always recommend you get a simple inexpensive tube tester. You test what you buy, check annually, check if problem suspected, most often get reassured it ain’t the tubes, ...

It’s not that your wrong, but you might not be right!

 

 

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