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Best integrated/power amplifier under $6000

Looking for either a power amp or integrated amplifier with at least 150 watts in 8 ohms for under $6000- new or slightly used. What would you recommend? I would be using my own DAC with volume control - so just need either a power amp or intergrated without a DAC. Please share your recommendations for the best amp you have heard which meets the above requirements. 

Thank you
jozurr
yyzsantabarbara
4,887 posts
 
Some people love Boulder others find the sound too sterile. May want to check out this unit.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9d497-boulder-865-integrated-solid-state

jozurr OP
7 posts
 
Im going to be using the RAAL SR1a headphones that need a minimum of 100w into 8 ohms to shine. they were tuned on the Benchmark AHB2 so that would seem like an obvious choice but considering other options as well (and a bit more power/headroom so I mentioned 150WPC - but I could also run Benchmark AHB2 monoblocks)

Having heard the Parasound A21, I don't really like the sound by Parasound  much. Other amps that Im considering are:

-Chord CPM2650
-Anthem STR

seigen's avatar
seigen
52 posts
 
Bryston 3B3 & 4B3
erik_squires
16,138 posts
 
Luxman beats Parasound and Pass by a wide margin IMHO.
dep14
336 posts
 
There is a used Levinson 585 out there now at usam for 6k.

Killer DAC built in, I’m currently using the 585 myself (not mine for sale), would be fun to compare yours to it.

It’s awesome, 12k MSRP. Doesn’t have a phono section (that’s the 585.5).

It’s universally praised in reviews, and my 2 weeks with one I’ve been very, very pleased.

Pretty flexible also, all sorts of ways to configure it.

Edit - just saw you are using headphones (I'm not a headphones listener).  It does not have a headphone jack.
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