Integrated Amp $1200 or less

Rogue Sphinx 2 Used 

AVA Synergy, lists for $1,799 but available factory refurbished in your price range if you’re willing to wait for him to list one. Well worth both the money and the wait, IMHO. 

According to Fritz the Belles Aria integrated is a good match if you can find a used one and move quick.

Might not be integrated, but will probably beat any under $1200, with $100 left over for the interconnect, and I’m sure Schiit would do a package deal for maybe a $1K for the three pieces, doesn’t hurt to ask.
Shiit Saga+ https://www.schiit.com/products/saga-2 (two preamps in one passive/tube)
and Vidar https://www.schiit.com/products/vidar (100w-8ohm 200w-4ohm)

Cheers George

FWIW I have a Bel Canto c5i Digital Integrated amp I picked up here used for ~$1000 and think it’s the bees knees.  Would match well with Fritz I suspect and does it all.  
I tried it because I really did not want to have to deal with a tube amp and it has been a keeper. 

@b_limo,
yes, moving away from this $1200 amp thread to a DAC thread makes sense..Those other Node2i links above may only be helpful if you choose to add-on a DAC and bypass your internal DAC in the Bluesound Node2i.

FYI: In the Node2i, and other Gen2 products in that line, they moved from a Cirrus Logic DAC to a Burr Brown 24/192 DAC chipset. Fairly close to same level of what you’ll find in other $500-700 DACs you want to replace it with - likely more of a lateral move again.

Now if you step up to one of the better MHDT non-over-sampling (NOS) "R2R Ladder" Orchid dacs, or an upper Pagoda dac, or maybe an upper Schitt DAC, or go for it with a Denefrips R2R dac - maybe find one used or on sale, would be worth the jump. Some people are true audio nuts and upgrade DACS every year, buy their high $ hand me down. That’s why I keep my streamer separate from my DAC.

Some people will tell you moving to a super-upgraded DAC is, quote "the single best investment they ever made in their system", because it benefits all other downstream components, preamps, amps, speakers, final music result! Fasten your seatbelt for best-DAC feedback!

Various on this thread had some good ideas for ya too. Don’t forget, it all starts with the source and trickles downhill from there. Good Luck.

already started the ghread then I read this...

oops! 
Been here for awhile and should use the search function more 😕

will start doinv that from now on.  

And/Or, check 17 prior related threads about adding an external DAC to a Bluesound streamer

https://forum.audiogon.com/search/index?fields=titles&query=DAC+bluesound&sort=date

Whoa, I was not expecting that many more responses.  
I’m sorry, I should have given you all an update. 
I was already on the same page.  My next big purchase will be a really nice dac 👍

Once I pay for the Carreras, my spending may slow down so I may even get a better dac in the $500-$700 range for the interim before I drop $2000 on a dac.

I’ve already had the Carreras in this set-up and loved them; thats why I’m buying a pair!

Anyhow, Thank You everyone for the sound advice and helping me work through that decision!

My next thread started will probably be which dac below $700 ish...

Thanks Again!!

I was in a similar position as you several months ago.  I tried a new integrated.  I got a smoking deal at Music Direct for a B stock Arcam SA20 and while I really really like it, I ended up swinging for the fences and upgraded my Node 2i altogether for a LUMIN D2.  I’ll put it this way, this was such a mind boggling improvement that I decided to move the Arcam and the Node 2i to another room for a second system.  The LUMIN was such a dramatic improvement and I continue to be gobsmacked by it.  There is also an upgrade path for it by upgrading its power supply with a SBooster.  I’ll be doing that in the near future.  My point is, cry once, smile once.  I say swing for the fences And upgrade the source altogether.

@b_limo agree with decooney and mesch and others on the value of your anthem and prospect for improvement via DAC

@rayray7488
I have the Anthem i225 and really enjoy the sound from it. It is would have to be a wonderful amp at a great price to switch.

@rayray7488
Like b_limo (OP), if you have the same 2009+ version of the Anthem i225 amp (Sonic Frontiers - tube amp company) designed and built the amp for Anthem, now owned by Paradigm. One of the better designed integrated amps back then and still very competitive today in terms of pure sound. Some of the new amps under $3k are not built as well today. 

@b_limo 
With your new Fritz Carerra speakers coming, you might be surprised what your current amp will do WHEN paired with a really good DAC to go with your Bluesound Node2i.   

Old review, Anthem i225, awards:
https://www.goodsound.com/equipment/anthem_integrated_225.htm

Grab a used YBA Integre DT. You will never regret it and will want to keep it even if you upgrade later.

I have the Anthem i225 and really enjoy the sound from it. It is would have to be a wonderful amp at a great price to switch.

Marantz pm8006 is a nice all analog integrated and can be had brand new for $1199 but can be found cheaper at times especially on Amazon. Alternatively a pm 14s1 reference can be found for 1500 used these days, originally priced at 2999....

I also like rogue Audio integrateds as well. I owned the Atlas Magnum, which is the power amp version of the Chronos magnum. It was wonderful. I have also heard the Sphinx and Pharaoh many times at Quest For Sound in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. I think they both do a wonderful job. Never heard any speakers that I did not like with the Sphinx. Now that they have come out with version three, you may be able to find a version one or version two at an outstanding price.

My highest recommendation for the Exposure 2010 or 3010 integrated. You can find both at or even much less than $1200 preowned. One of the truly great bargains in audio. The 2010 was a Stereophile Class A recommendation for several years in the not too distant past.

I also have a Node 2i and a Topping D90 and am very happy with that combination. But going back to the original question, I have these going into an Outlaw Audio RR2160. This receiver is a great box that does a lot of things pretty darn good. Totally in the target price and has lots of options. Class AB, phono pre-amp, tuner, etc. There is a clean one for sale here (not mine).

https://www.stereophile.com/content/outlaw-audio-rr2160-stereo-receiver

I have the Node 2i.  When I added a Topping D90 @ $630 the improvements were not subtle.  Better accuracy, sound stage, bass; basically all aspects of my sound were improved.  Topping also has a volume control and I plug it directly into my power amp. Denafrips is another a good brand for about same price.  I think those are R2R DAC. They were way back ordered last winter so I steered away.  Now they are available. I think a DAC would be a bigger improvement than buying an amp.  I did see a Rogue Sphinx V2 for sale.  I think about $1100.  I can be upgraded to V3 for about $500.  Lots of advise and options and that is part of the fun.  Many of the amps recommended here are Class d.  I steered away because I like Class A. 

I saw that somebody mentioned the Wyred 4 Sound Integrated sold by Underwood Wally. If you want to buy new,the 500 Mk II would be a great buy! One of my good Audio buddies purchased the original 500. I believe he got it for $700 on this site. I was shocked at how good it was. Have never been a huge fan of class D, but listening to the W4S changed my mind. My friend sold it to another friend who will never let it go. He likes it that much! I also thought the Peactree Nova 220 SE was an excellent sounding integrated. Wally closed them out at $999. They are a class D/tube hybrid. You can switch the tube in and out. They also come with a very nice built in DAC.

I had a Cambridge Audio Topaz SR 20 (sadly discontinued) integrated amp hooked up to my Bluesound Node 2i And it sounded great.  Cambridge Audio products, as well as NAD products, apparently pair well with Bluesound products.  However, I went a different way:  I upgraded to the PowerNode 2i with HDMI.  This was due to space issues, but I figured the extra $350 was work it. 

B_limo, I agree  with the thought of upgrading to a separate DAC and delaying the purchase of a new integrated until more funds are available.  Many on this forum have declared true improvements when upgrading from the DAC within the Node. You have speakers you like, ones which will respond to improvements upstream. 

I would not let speaker cable termination determine an amplifier purchase when that time comes. 

The best to you and enjoy your search. 

Another vote for a used Hegel. I have an H160, and am very pleased.

@willgolf I had the Nighthawk MKIII here with a various assortment of NOS tubes in the Preamp section and was very underwhelmed.
To my ears, in my system, I found my Hegel Rost superior in pretty much every regard. Also, my speakers fell right in the middle of the Nighthawk’s spec sheet on Raven’s website...90db. They list the Nighthawk to be used with speakers 85-95db.

I currently use a Yamamoto DAC but before I acquired that I was using the Rost as an all-in-one and I was AMAZED at how good the DAC is inside. So good in fact, that I was on the fence for months about getting a standalone DAC.

What’s also amazing, to me anyway, is the performance of its headphone amp. I was blown away with it driving my Hifiman Arya. I liked it better than my Burson Conductor V2+ so I sold the Burson.

I bought my Hegel Rost brand new, unopened from a dealer for $1,400. It retailed for $3,000 so the deals are out there. It was discontinued which is why I got the deal, but I’m just saying...

I was earlier thinking about buying a Hegel but went another route but it could be nice brand for you to look at.

There is a Hegel H120 on Audiogon right now for about $2250 which is more than your budget but it includes a dac and a streamer which may make it worth the extra cost.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa3363-hegel-h120-solid-state

Had enough opinions ? Obviously, there are many good possibilities. The FRITZ speakers may perform well with tube amps but I wouldn't rule out solid state. Now here's something for thought. In as much as it's doubtful that you have access to a dealer that carries one or more of the suggested amp prospects, you might try this. SCHIIT AUDIO has amazed the audio market with some really over performing audio products including integrated amps. If memory serves, They offer, factory direct, a trial period for their products. If it doesn't "ring your bell", return it for a complete refund. A second thought on the same theme;  - - - the PS AUDIO "SPROUT". I haven't had the pleasure, but several credible reviews, pretty much rave about it's performance. And again, return it for a refund if your not happy. Both products I have mentioned have been said "to punch way above their (dollar) weight". And the best part of all, they are both well below your budget figure. 

Once had a Rega and liked it.

I compared back-and-forth between the mhdt orchid and the bluesound dac using the Fritz speakers. Significant improvement, a more transparent and less edgy sound. It softened the digital harshness. I was very close to getting an audio mirror tubador dac which also seems quite excellent.

Rotel RA1572 factory refurbished on Audio Advice 

If you desire refinement put your money in a better DAC now. It will shine through any amp.

Yamaha.

I read in one of these threads that Primaluna is made in China. Limits choices somewhat.

Agree with others who have suggested to improve your source first with a new DAC

Marantz PM8006 is very nice.

@soix
...I’d take a hard look at an MHDT Orchid DAC. And I agree with your thought to wait until you have more $$$ to make a significant amp upgrade since your current amp is certainly no slouch. Again, best of luck.

Yep. Exactly. Sure like my Orchid. Turns a Node2i or Arcam rPlay into something worthy in combination. The stock coupling caps MHDT installs in the Orchid are not bad at all, fairly smooth, but just for grins I upgraded mine with really nice Mundorf Silver-Gold caps anyhow. Very nice, not necessary, but can be improved a little. Then, swapped out the nice stock GE Triple Mica 5-Star tube in the Orchid for an even better Tesla 6CC42 tube. Followed by an Analysis Plus Crystal Solo Digi Coax cable and wham! The guts of the Orchid are OEM’d over into some other DACs at 2x-3x the price. Those "metal box" manufacturers will deny it if you look to close or ask too much. Even in pure In stock form, it’s a real contender out of the box. Offered better clarity, more depth, enhanced soundstage, improved instrument separation, and the stock TDA1541a NOS chip is way more natural sounding than most mainstream high-volume onboard chips/dacs in most streamers under $2,500-3000

+1 on the Peachtree mention above.  I use the Nova 150 to drive LS50s in my bedroom system. You can pick up the Nova 150 used for around $1K, or step up to the Nova 300 to double the power for circa $1600 used. 

Mark

The 225 is a damn descent integrated. For 1200 i think most out there would be a downgrade. 

I got a Proceed / Mark Levinson 2 channel Amplifier 200WPC superb Class A/B at $995.00 

Get a good dac first like nos dac then start from there if you want a life time enjoyment and can listen all days without fatigue!

I agree with the folks advocating for a new DAC, which is a big part of the reason I recommended the NuPrime.  But as the amp could maybe be more of a sideways move, adding a good DAC for around $1200 would definitely be an upward move from the Node’s DAC.  Given the sound characteristics you seem to be gravitating toward, I’d take a hard look at an MHDT Orchid DAC.  And I agree with your thought to wait until you have more $$$ to make a significant amp upgrade since your current amp is certainly no slouch.  Again, best of luck. 

Outlaw 2160. I love mine

@djones51
I understand the upgrade itch, I used to have an Anthem 225i and it’s a great integrated some I’ve seen mentioned while they are good amps would be more of a sideways move than up. The weakest link in the Node2i is the dac.

Spot on.

@b_limo
Use that 2k elsewhere, for now. Looking over your i225, xformer, mosfets, volume control type, non-digital layout, your amp is decent. Bet it could begin to sing with a good digital DAC source and great speakers. IMO spending $1500-2k on another amp might even be a downgrade. Your amp is a different grade purist integrated, when fed good source.. If you stream a lot, the onboard DAC/chipset and implementation in the Node2i is okay, good for starters, but it’s not great. Its a solid streamer after you put a good DAC behind it. Using the stock onboard dac/chipset, sounds kinda grainy, more 2-dimesional, not as natural as it can be. In the past year helped three fairly skeptical buddies and a few others with N2I units who all added on a nice R2R Ladder TUBE DAC behind the N2i -or- Arcam rPlay streamer units. Follow up the DAC with a good Digital-coax or USB, install a really good small vintage input signal tube inside the tube DAC and begin to start hearing music in a new way. Fast forward, all three of those buddies are streaming basic CD quality (non-up sampled) lossless content and never looked back. They too did the skeptical A/B thing many times (obsessively) and all three of them did not return their DACs. One had a similar amp to yours. At year-2, one of them made the amp upgrade later on, but to this day swears the DAC upgrade was the single best change in the entire system but all had fairly revealing speakers too.

It all starts at the source. Here is a thought... maybe hold off on the other cables, cords. Truly, your i225 is awaiting you to feed it good stuff for a while. Maybe save up for a really good amp or speakers later. While I’m back to tube preamp and monos, I’m also a SS/Mosfet fan too past 30yrs. Just went through this same "upgradeitis" situation with more than a few colleagues for what it’s worth. Go with a super DAC first. Ask Hilde45. :)

Agreed!! Spend your G on a DAC.  You will be FLOORED!

Source matters most IME. 
Used Chord Qutest perhaps?!?

Definitely check Primare. The products from this Swidish company are fantastic.

I wouldn't buy another amp until trying a better DAC with the Node...

You could chop off the ends and go raw. Just honk it down, brother! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYYZZNuO-GY