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Integrated Amp Battle: Fatman 452 or iFi Retro 50 with Heresy I's?

I'm on a seriously limited budget and need to replace a dying HK A300 integrated tube amp. I've got a set of original Heresy's and I want to stick with tubes, so power is not an issue. 

I'm limited to <1K, so I've been looking for a used amp. So far I've come across these two:

iFi Audio Retro Stereo 50 Integrated Amplifier $845
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa59h2-ifi-audio-retro-stereo-50-system-tube-int-amp-and-speakers-tube

Fatman Audio 452 Integrated $750
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa5a27-fatman-audio-452-integrated-amp-tube

I'm guessing the Fatman will deliver superior sound overall, but the iFi has more features that I would like but might be able to live without (headphone amp, bluetooth).

Which would you guys choose? 
mmentzel
Post removed 
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Get the Fatman! Considering it has been already upgraded and has free shipping from CT that $750 price is a bargain for sure!
mmentzel OP
2 posts
 
Thanks...I’m leaning towards the Fatman, but I don’t see anything about a phono stage. This is a problem because I’ll be using the amp almost exclusively to drive my Technics turntable. Would you still go with the Fatman if you had to pick up a standalone phono pre-amp? Plus it would be really nice to have a headphone amp since I don't have a headphone amp right now. 

But if the Fatman sound is really that great, I'm willing to forgo those things.
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
A Schiit Mani phono stage would take care of your LP playback - and is quite affordable!
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imhififan
2,181 posts
 
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