Best integrated for my purposes - help me choose 1 of 3!


I did a bunch of research over the weekend and narrowed down choices.  My requirements:  2 channel amp that integrates well with my LS50 - ideally with HT Bypass.  The Ls50s are also part of my HT system.  I can use HT Bypass to send L/R to a 2 channel amp where all of my analog sources are pluged-in.    

1. Outlaw Audio 2160II  ($1k)
2. Parasound Hint6        ($3k)
3. Yamaha A-S1200 (or 2200) ($2-$3.5)

Ok, so right off the bat, the Outlaw will need a 2 amp / 1 speaker switcher - something from Niles maybe.  For $1k it's hard not to consider.  The Parasound is probably the most well recommended of all the choices - it's solid performer.  Yamaha - buy once / cry once.  I'd get years of use with the Yamaha even after the KEFs have been upgraded.

Cost is part of the consideration...  Does the Parasound sound 3x better, not sure, but probably not.  Yamaha 2x better?  Maybe, I've never read a bad review.  Steve Gutenberg suggests that the Outlaw is *very* good bang for buck!  

Thoughts?  
128x128martinman

Showing 2 responses by reubent

You don't need a switcher with the Outlaw. You would hook it up the same as either of the integrated amps, except you would just use any unused analog L&R input (instead of the HT bypass L&R connections). The only difference is you would need to pre-select a pre-set volume position on the Outlaw receiver when you "switch" to HT. Whereas with the 2 integrated amps you would select the unity gain HT bypass. No big deal, just a minor inconvenience.



As @imhififan said: 
you can simply use a line level source a/b switcher on the Outlaw 2160II pre-out/main-in jacks to get the job done
This is correct. However, you should pre-select a volume setting to use when you run the HT auto-setup on your HT system, and choose that pre-determined volume setting when you select/listen to HT in the future. This way your front L&R speakers will always be set correctly as they were when you ran your setup routine.