Colapse to Hegel

Almost finished with the Demo on the Rost.  Very impressive little 50W amp.  I played music through it for 24 hours before I started listening.  Very pleasing high quality sound from an entry level integrated. I used my Wadia 321 streaming (Qobuz, Roon on SGC ST , Bryston BDP Pi endpoint) and compared it directly with my Rogue Tube->Class D combo.   Only knock on it was the bass on some recordings sounded a bit muddy but it could have just been my perception.   I did compare the internal DAC with the Wadia and thought the Wadia produced a better sound stage and depth (As it should).  Rost Didnt produce a bunch of heat either.  Loved the solidly built remote, much better than the cheese plastic of the Rogue.  Proly stay with my current setup but will be taking a hard look at the new H95.   This Rost is on sale at ListenUp for ~$1.8K and would be worth consideration for anyone looking for an integrated priced <$2k.

Just tested with the Balanced connections (Wadia 321 --> Rost) . Dang,  The little Rost came alive.    Sheesh wanna am I gonna do now ?  Sigh.

Just picked up a Simaudio Moon Ace from Lyric Hifi.  Demo, with ten year warranty. Replaced Belles Aria integrated, Ayre Codex dac and Bryston bdp-pi streamer.  With my Vandersteen VLR speakers there is great system synergy and plenty of power, not to mention less clutter.

rost >> h90 on amp section

rost = h90 on dac section (both relatively mediocre, now 2 gen old akm ds chips, simple implementation)

you need to move to h190 to better the rost on both sections, and need to move to h390 for a very good dac by today's standards