Lots of choices out there. Hegel seems to pair well with Focal. I would look there first. You can stream Tidal/Qobuz/Spotify directly. Not sure about the HT bypass. Good luck and have fun.
Integrated all in one for a second system
Hello. Looking for suggestions for an Integrated amp that incorporates streaming / DAC into one unit. I am moving my primary 2-channel system into a more dedicated room with a home remodel. I still want to listen to good music in the current room. It is a huge room that includes the family room, kitchen, and living room into one big space.
Looking to pair it with Focal Diablo Utopia speakers and can use a B&W DB1-D to help with the low end. I do need a home theater pass through as it will be running with a Marantz CInema 30 to use for multichannel for our TV. These components will be in a vented closet, so looking for something reasonably sized and not running excessively hot. Interested in something less than 7000-8000 and fine with the used market.
Any advice is appreciated.
19 responses Add your response
Do you already have the DB1D? If not get two of this - https://www.powersoundaudio.com/collections/subwoofers/products/s1512m-new
Also get this integrated - https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650197770-hegel-h390-powerhouse-stable-to-2-ohms/
|
obviously naim who focal owns is a logical choice
We are naim focal dealers and we have diablo utopias on display have sold Hegel as well, hegel isn't warm so you may find the sound too sterile. the best sound for the money we would recommend a naim 250dr power amplifier which can be stacked with a NAC272 preamp dac streamer or if the budget allows the new NSC 222 dac preamp streamer so you would have essentially separates which take up the same space as an integrated and you can add an additional naim power supply for even greater performance Dave and Troy Audio intellect NJ displaying focal Diablo Naim dealers |
Most Focals are on the cool side so I might not want to go with Hegel because they are on the more neutral side. For focals, I would go with a warmer amp from the likes of McIntosh or Classe. In my 3rd system, I have the all in 1 auralic Polaris with some nice revel floorstanding speakers. I would suggest this Polaris all in 1 over the naim but it might not help the focals. For reference, I heard the speaker that naim and focal built together, the divas, and they sounded terrible, less technology than other much cheaper and better sounding speakers, and the divas were $40k |
I have a Hegel H390. You can use it as a streamer only for Spotify. For Tidal you need to either have a wired connection or have another streamer. The DAC is exceptional for an H390. Another one that I have owned in the past and regret selling off is the Naim Uniti Atom- much less than your budget- though it sounds exceptional. The low power rating doesn't fully tell one what this amp can do.
|
Have you looked into Lyngdorf’s integrateds? I really like my Lyngdorf 3400. All three models run cool. MSRP for the 3400 is around 8K fully loaded. Finding a 3400 used can be challenging and the price is usually well above 50% msrp if in great condition. The 1120 MSRP is around $2.6K, I think and finding a nice used one is easier. Power for each is 200/400 and 60/120, respectively. The Lyngdorf app is killer—especially for integrating subs using any XO point you wish, topology and slope you wish. For example, after trying many options, I currently cut my sub off at 50 hz using a 8th order (48db/octave) slope. |
Definitely need to look at the T+A line. I had a similar setup to yours, and needed extensive connectivity. I wanted to use a high-quality integrated both as a stereo system for "critical" listening to my sub-enhanced Harbeths, but also as the FL/FR/LFE driver for a 5.1 home-theater. The R 2500 R, the company’s current $19K flagship integrated had every feature needed for both those applications and, as icing, is sonically impressive in every way. Even the headphone amp and phonostage punch way above for a sub-$20,000 integrated. I realize that this is out of your price range, but T+A makes a # of less-expensive integrateds that offer similar connectivty and not-unsimilar SQ. T+A is only beginning to be known here, but is a huge name in the Eastern Hemisphere, especially for its unique DAC/streamers, amps, and preamps. I think that these boxes would fit your requirements as well as anything, with Hegels and Ayres running a close second. As you might guess, I spent months comparing $5-10K integrateds in great detail, before finally being so wowed by the R 2500 R that I wound up springing for a box that cost twice what I’d originally intended to spend. Re: dealers, I worked with Juan at Bliss HiFi in MN (not to be confused with other "Bliss" dealerships across the US). The guy is very knowledgable about T+A, being one of the company’s first US retailers, and is a nice guy to boot, always willing to answer questions at length.
|
