2. amps-preamps
  3. 156443-141476

best budget amp/preamp for B&W 805 D3s

you kind people helped me along the way. here is another question. I am happy with my setup but can’t help but think forward. Have an old Rotel RA 1070 that now powers my new 805s. I use, per your suggestion, DAC (Shiit Modi) to stream Tidal from my Mac. Sound is great but gets a bit choked up (crowded?) when the volume is turned up loud. my question: I have only $1k budget for a new integrated amp. 1) In that budget is there a significantly better amp or amp/preamp combo? 2) Should I wait until I have more $$$ to buy? 3) what budget integrated amps (amp/prem) go well with 805s (other than Rotels)? 
I don’t mind getting used equipment. Please, give me suggestions also for budget amp/preamp combos.
I very much appreciate your willingness to help. I am new at this and not an engineer.
petar3

Showing 4 responses by soix

soix
10,015 posts
 
Still, $3k is a big jump over $1k, and I doubt you’ll get an H390 for near that — maybe an H360.  But I do think the Hegel is a good idea for your 805s, and a used H300 can be had for around $1500 and will also sound fantastic.  Best of luck. 
soix
10,015 posts
 
I have only $1k budget for a new integrated amp.
Uh, the spec you left out re: the H390 is that it retails for $6k.  Has your budget changed that significantly?
soix
10,015 posts
 
There’s a NuPrime IDA-16 available here now for $1195, and if you’re after clarity and detail — along with a lot of other positive attributes — you should be very happy.  And 200Wpc should help your 805s wake up and get rid of any congestion at higher volume levels. It’s also got a very good internal DAC that may well be better than your Modi, and if so you can sell it and offset some of the cost. If I was you I’d jump on this ASAP.
soix
10,015 posts
 
What sound characteristics are most important to you?
More to discover