I would take a serious listen to the Aesthetix Mimas integrated rated at 150w at 8ohms. This is Aesthetix’s first integrated and they did it right. I heard them powering a set of Vandersteen Treo CT his past weekend and it’s one of the best integrated amps I’ve heard in a very long time. I was told that they voiced the Mimas with Vandersteen speakers so they make a really nice combo. The Mimas definitely give my Ayre AX5/20 a run for it’s money at less than half the cost. It’s a hybrid amp, so you get the tube mid-range sweetness with solid state output power. I would put it on the top of your list to listen. If you’re around the tri-state area, go over to Audio Connection in NJ and give it a listen. I know it’s a more expensive than the Hegel 360 at around $7K, but I would go with the Mimas over the Hegel any day of the week specially with Vandersteen speakers. Good Luck!
Oh...I forgot to mention...Aesthetix offers a DAC module and a phono pre-amp module for roughly $1500 each for the Mimas and if they sound anything like their separates, they will sound really nice.
Oh...I forgot to mention...Aesthetix offers a DAC module and a phono pre-amp module for roughly $1500 each for the Mimas and if they sound anything like their separates, they will sound really nice.