I’m looking for an sleek integrated amp under $15k

@fastfreight   said (12/15/2023)

Maybe you are just baiting us with that price and then wanting features but not even mentioning musical quality

Yep.

Thanks everyone. Almost certainly getting the RS520.  It hits all or most of my requirements. 

I have the RS520 and I love it. Using the 520 DAC to resolve CD’s from an Audiolab 6000CDT. Also running The Classic by Project turntable via a MoFi Studio phono preamp to line in. It’s a fun system that easily drives a pair of Focal Vestia N4 augmented by a pair of SVS SB3000’s.

Heaven 11 Billie mk2

Depends on what you mean by sleek. And how musical do you want to get?  You’ve got a nice budget. If sleek means a special old school look, unparalleled craft, stunning musicality, and flexibility because of optional DAC and phono cards, look no further than Accuphase. If sleek means more modern, simple box, Naim will do the job better than most. In between as someone else suggested, Boulder. 

@petland  so you like it better than the Mola Mola?

That is an easy one. Not becasue it 'destroys' all the competition (lot of great amps listed in this thread.) But the Vitus house sound is something special. 

The Vitus SIA-025 Mk2 or 030 if you needed a bit more power but don't let the power rating of either fool you. These are high current amps with 1.4kv trannies.

The only integrated amps I have not owned in this thread are any of the Hagel's, the 866 or the Dart. but on the other side of the pond, Vitus is king........8-10 mo production wait, nearly no product here in the USA. Rarely come up used, rarely come up in discussion.

The current crop of Mola Mola amplifiers are not old technology.  They represent up to five generations beyond even the NCore module. The outlying circuitry is also unique to Mola Mola. Regardless of class of operation, they sound fantastic! 

Linn Klimax DSM.  Brand new.  If not in Europe, price is even lower after subtracting VAT.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/374690462064?hash=item573d4ab970:g:UPcAAOSw~bZj66EV&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwJgJKJkKtWTE8GZ%2BsmCvj70eK2Edgdr6dsSf%2B3ZfLSjAEki%2BZIfv8uILQFs%2F0oJm%2B2bqYACt6QZfcA4UohEkhidI1J83ETadPR09Cj%2BoowvBJ0zWDsHLgwgeWhZO0QEc%2FMTZcCzAIpx0EVqvvV0Hf%2F4ctVkihR9hv93CJvI%2BBsUQ3X7PVdHgGFOdm%2B9%2BaBVS2GXDhl%2FOzFK0bJpFNX4uPSH700DmpQ551m85xdhyJE4thJnPaDV165GQlEaeTZYIJA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-DXuOaPYw

The two best integrated amps I've heard at that general price point are the: Audionet Watt ($18,800) and the Mola Mola Kula ($15,055).  Honestly, nothing touches them sonically!  Since you specified $15K and below let me focus on the Mola Mola Kula.  Very transparent, 3D, dynamic, and has great bass.  For extra, you can also add a world class DAC (same as the famous Tambaqui) as well as a phono stage (same as Lupe), built-in, if you choose.

highly recomend the Pathos Kratos Tube Hybrid Integrated Amplifier.  Beautiful craftmanship and incredible sound quality! One for sale below for 8K

Pathos Kratos Tube Hybrid Integrated Amplifier – Upscale Audio

Pathos Acoustics Kratos For Sale | Audiogon

@disc I think you’re right I thought the depth was 18.6” but it’s 16.6 so it may work. 

But as the football guy says, Mola Mola beats everything unless you want to really increase your price range. Funny how so many things supposedly sound better when they’re more expensive. Silly humans and their expectation bias.

The Mola Mola Makua (a preamp I was strongly considering) and is supposed to be a neutral unit that measures amazingly. I figured I should try the Benchmark LA4 for the same result at a much cheaper price. Glad I did that.

Mola Mola Class D amps are ancient technology. These are the $16k amps I am referring too.

The DAC in the Makua was first designed around 2006, about 5 or 6 years later that DAC module became the Tambaqui DAC. Then Bruno left for Purifi.

Stereophile had a review of the Boulder 866 and liked it. The reviewer then compared it to the Krell K-300i he had recently reviewed. You should have look at the reviewer's opinion.

I owned the k-300i it sounds great but does not have a fancy GUI. My fancy GUI is ROON and the KRELL is ROON READY, the highest level of ROON integration. You can even adjust the volume on the KRELL with the GUI (tablet, computer, phone, etc) The volume dial is done on the KRELL and not on software of ROON.

Echo in Portland has used Boulder and Dartz…. 

@aj523 I have and love the Boulder 866 w/DAC.  No onboard phono.  I don’t know about sleek, but it definitely has a look that I appreciate.  It’s not particularly deep.   If it wouldn’t fit in your cabinet, I’d imagine that some of the other candidates might not either.  In any case, happy hunting. There are a lot of great options at that price point.  

A Brinkmann Nyquist in combination w Integrated might fit  bill. German techno sleek…

Get the Boulder and a Super Sawzall…..

i have a NAIM Uniti in several systems…. probably not the last word in anything…. but quite reliable w good sonics

Carry on

I think the unit that both meets the wow factor as a centerpiece in our gathering room and audio quality would be the Boulder 866 but it has too much depth to fit on our cabinet :(  

Thanks everyone ! There’s a lot to digest here. I really want the video monitor so leaning towards those models. The unit will be driving a whole home audio system so there isn’t a real need for audio quality. Although I may connect my high end turntable /phono/speakers to it as well.so that may change the decision process. 

Aavik all day, every day but that U-300 listed is at least 5k overpriced and 3 generations old. I owned the 300 and loved it, sold me on Aavik, but 15k is about what I paid 6yrs ago. Apologies to the seller if reading this. 

supposedly the technics r1000 is fantastic. 

https://www.audioadvice.com/technics-su-r1000-stereo-integrated-amplifier-silver?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADRzHk-pMUtDWDGUrgEBIqDo1Y-F0&gclid=Cj0KCQiAsvWrBhC0ARIsAO4E6f-7Gsu8A3_mgLl7ag9dqnFftDpDrIiYUQ_h4Fo1CCkShFJCgoCboE0aAsvLEALw_wcB

Ayre. Owned a lot of stuff, this did it for me.

I have owned my McIntosh MA12000 almost 2 yrs now (also have a Hegel in my den). Listen to and auditioned several others in the same price point. The MA12000 is my last - and will be passed on to my kids. It was a financial stretch for me personally, but after two yrs - the best audio purchase I have made. It does everything well, very well, some exceptionally. The tube preamp side I would offer as much more than exceptional as is the connectivity for anything and everything. Built like a tank, future proof DAC/card system...currently their 2nd gen DAC. Some of the newer MC products I have listened to = more decorative than functional...but the MA12000 will be an iconic hallmark, one that Mc Labs has ever made.  Audio Excellence Canada has an in-depth review on U-tube

Pass Labs INT-60

The all sound very different so it's really better to get out to hi-fi shops and test combinations with the speakers that you want to use.  That's half the fun.  With your budget you can consider separates.

Aavik I-280, was paired with Vivid Kaya 45s, absolutely magical pairing.....believe the Aavik was around $12,000. I would definitely audition if I could find a dealer near me.....believe they have 11 or 12 dealers in the US.

Maybe the new Hegel H600 with optional DAC card.

Based on your requirement, NAD Masters M33 or M66. The Naim lacks phono inpot.

While not 1 sleek box, I would spend that $15k budget on an Accuphase E-280 (add phono card or Schitt Skoll) + HiFi Rose RS-150b. If you want fully balanced, step up to Accuphase E-4000. Again, my money, but I would strongly consider grey market Accuphase.

"Sleek" is a visual description and will be very subjective so in that area you'll just have to find something that is visually appealing to you that meets your other preferences. But as the football guy says, Mola Mola beats everything unless you want to really increase your price range. Funny how so many things supposedly sound better when they're more expensive. Silly humans and their expectation bias.

@perkadin  Soul Note and LFE, and they sound good too! Some of the suggestions are just laughable when it come to sound and imaging. Not saying that of Naim. 

@aj523 a couple of folks have mentioned Lyngdorf. You should check out the review link @hilde45 posted above.

You have good taste in the Naim Nova. The only thing it’s gonna give you that the Lyngdorf TDAI 3400 won’t is the cool color display, though, and the sexy feel of the volume knob. Although the volume knob on the Lyngdorf is very cool to. It has a nice action. As far as sleekness goes, it’s a complete toss up, imo. I’m kind of into design, personally, and I think that the aesthetic of the Lyngdorf is spot on.

What you lose out on in the color display dept is kind of dwarfed by the other advantages, though, in my opinion. The Room control software is second to none. I read every review I could get my hands on before I scored my 2170, which is the middle brother, between the 3400 and the 1120, and that’s kinda what they all say.

Room Perfect took me every bit of :20 to do, and I’m here to tell you, you will lose your room issues on the spot. And that could possibly transform the way you get to enjoy it.

If you get it brand new, and you get all of the available modules, you’ll still be under ten grand. And, dude, the performance. Had to say it that way to make the point. I’m not saying it will perform better than the Naim, as far as musicality is concerned. And the Naim will have that sweet house sound, but the versatility of the 3400 is really a very Big Bang for the buck.
 

If it’s realism you crave in your music, this piece of equipment is a one box solution that drill that kind of rivals them all in overall performance when you consider both the adaptability and the room control. I don’t know if rival is the right word, but it’s certainly up there at the very top.

Just get this Lyndorf TDAI-3400 

Lyngdorf TDAI-3400 - Lyngdorf Audio (steinwaylyngdorf.com)

@jacobsdad2000 lol indeed.  My favorite was @soix link which literally has the word sleek in the description only for OP to neg anyway.  In his defense the Divialet is ugly.  Nobody does minimalist as well as Naim. 

The responses here are very humorous. The question is humorous. 

How about the new Luxman 507Z for about $9K? Rave reviews.

If you can extend   DAC  Phono  Tubes

I have never heard the Mola Mola component only their DAC.

I would also consider looking at what vinnie rossi offers.  Good guy and knows his stuff.

Happy Searching.

@rdk777 the Diablo 333 is 25k and not out for USA and DAC is not out anywhere for it and will be 6k putting it in at 31k. I heard a prototype it was marmite because it was not ready for prime time yet. To be determined!

Mola Mola Kula is 15.8k without a DAC and 8k more with a real Tambaqui Dac

destroys all Hegel

destroys Naim that is more midfi

destroys Gryphon

destroys midfi hifi rose

Aavik integrated also good I would demo that as well and see what has better synergy.

destroys anything else under 35-50k

to beat it you need a 41k DartZeal integraded

What about a Gryphon Diablo 300 with phono module. You’ll probably have enough left over for a decent DAC/Streamer. 

How about this Aavik Acoustic U-300 listed here?

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisb7hh8-aavik-acoustics-u-300-solid-state

I have never heard an integrated amp over 5K and probably never will. Based on reviews, I'd want to hear a Simaudio model for sure. 

I would never look for one with a phono input but a separate phono preamp.

I have a Lyngdorf Processor. Absolutely love it. Sounds incredible with great workmanship. My votes for them. Good Luck and Happy Hunting  

McIntosh MA12000.

You should be able to get a Gryphon Diablo 300 with DAC option at $15k as the new 333 is out (or coming soon).  It is one of the best integrated amp at this price - lotsa power.  It will blow away the Naim. What speakers do you have?

As a ex audio dealer ,that is not a sound request , for many reasons 

separate allow much better isolation power supplies, digital separate streamer,dacs  

for digital has advanced a lot ,innuos has very good entry level SS HD,streamer 

with excellent interface , you can add the LPS later , the T+A A200 dac-Preamp 

which has excellent galvanic isolation in every area dac as good as Anything  up to $15k+ the preamp is a excellent class A discreet type in the$5-6k class pick a decent power amp, Coda very good with discounts $5k as a example .

my point separates give you future flexibility.

Maybe you are just baiting us with that price and then wanting features but not even mentioning musical quality.  Really the display and slickness do not necessarily go coincident with amazing sound.  Someone Mentioned the Boulder.  The Audionet Watt sounds great.  The Soulnote A3.  You might be better with an external DAC.  There are many others Moon...but save money if all you want is cool display and a pretty face..