Integrated Amp Choices


From numerous visits to audio stores in the BIG city 2 hours south of my place, and after listening to a couple of dozen speakers (up to $18,000) both passive and active. Our simple ears have narrowed it down to these 2 speakers (so far):
KEF R11s - https://us.kef.com/r11.html and Triangle AustraleEZs - https://www.trianglehifi.com/en/produit/hifi-floor-standing-speaker-ez-australe/ These 2 sound the best to both my wife, offer good value and both very close to each other in price.

Here are a few integrated amps (in around the $5K range) that I am considering and I was hoping the community can give their votes to which would compliment the speakers of choice (so far) the best?

https://simaudio.com/en/product/340i-x-integrated-amplifier/

https://www.anthemav.com/products-current/model=str-integrated-amplifier/page=overview

http://www.luxman.com/product/detail.php?id=2

https://www.sugdenaudio.com/anv-50-integrated-amplifier

https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/integrated-amplifiers/MA5300

On Sale Occasionally:

https://bryston.com/amplifiers/b1353/

https://www.marklevinson.com/products/integrated-amplifiers/MARK+LEVINSON+NO+5802.html?dwvar_MARK%20LEVINSON%20NO%205802_color=Black%20%2F%20Silver-US-Current&cgid=integrated-amplifiers

Onboard DAC is a big consideration too, so hoping for your further comments on DAC sections as well.

Prefer new or demo over used.

Thanks,
High-amp





high-amp

Showing 1 response by docmrmike

I have a Krell K-300i 4K which I bought as a demo ($5K) paired with Kef R300 speakers along with 2 Rel subs & to my ears the sound is truly "fantastic". I also have the Kef R700's which is the generation before the R11's. The combination of Krell & Kef sounds really sweet. The DAC on the Krell is really good for an integrated amp. You can hook it up directly to a desktop or laptop & being Roon Ready the computer will recognize the Krell on Spotify & 1 click to select it & you are ready to go. Music from the computer sounds really good, similar to CD quality. I think you could enjoy many years of high quality music using the DAC in the Krell. You can also use the Krell in place of the TV speakers by running a hi-def HDMI cable from the Krell to the eArc input on the TV. The broadcast sound is really good & it often sounds like a multitude of channels is being delivered & played from just 2 speakers. I also have a McIntosh MX160 11 channel home theater system & in all honesty the Krell sounds much better for music than the MAC. Finally, over time you can consider adding 1 or 2 Rel subs as you can hook them up via the Hi-level inputs on the subs. This will further enhance the musicality & soundstage of the entire system. Overall, I really like & enjoy the Krell & highly recommend it especially if you can find one in the 5K range where it represents excellent value.