Integrated amp: Component weight

@deone Yes, the EX-8 V2 is a monster, beautifully and innovatively designed, with boatloads of connectivity. And it’s incredibly light for a 300wpc Class AB amp, thanks to the late Charlie Hansen’s "diamond" output-stage topology. I’m very impressed & agree with you 100%.

The EX-8 would have easily addressed all my requirements and even includes a terrific DAC that is heads & shoulders above any integrated DAC I've seen in a $10-15K integrated -- and probably most $2-3K standalone DACs. (I can't speak to that from first-hand experience, though.)

Unfortunately, there are non-technical reasons I didn’t go for it from Day One, which I’m not at liberty to discuss here. So I’m not considering an Ayre purchase just this second, despite the fact that I’d love to have one inhouse.  If a few things resolve at some point, however, I'm sure that I'd be happy for a long time with an EX-8.

Are there any hybrid tube/ class-d offerings on the market that would work?

I would not worry about the weight as you probably won’t move much-find some one to help lift and place it.

Hello @cundare2 !

You have some nice options and seem headed on the right track with Ayre, the older on newer Naim 200 series and Coda.  I have heard two others that I like.

The Audionet Watt weighs 55 pounds but is very very good.  It checks all the other requirements. I have heard this in my system and it takes a lot of money and weight to top it.  At their rating of 167w @ 8 ohms I would not worry about power.  GTT Audio often has a show demo of this model.

The other are the Soulnote A2 and A3.  the A3 is too heavy at 66 lb but super nice. I own the A2, and even rated at 100 watts it punches well above that.  My speakers are more efficient though.   But very sweet sounding SS integrateds.  I got my A2 barely used for 4k.  I see them very occasionally for 5k. 

Good Luck!  Fun!

@fastfreight Thanks for the suggestions.  But again, I'm looking for something lighter, 20-30 pounds would be ideal 15lbs even better.  Things are getting worse for my back and as of yesterday, I'm looking at major surgery, with uncertain results.  So the last thing I need to do is buy a 50-70-lb block of expensive metal.  There's no one here who could help me move the unit and a box that heavy would make my racking system unmanageable.  So the weight limitation, unfortunately, is not negotiable.

The most tempting exceptions are the 49lb Hegel H590 & H600, which are such a perfect fit that I WANT to make an exception.  But even in that case, I'm still sticking to my guns and trying as hard as I can to select something lighter, even if that means compromising on sound or functionality.  It's frustrating, but that's the hand I've been dealt.  I'm not gonna whine, I'm gonna just do the best with what I've got to work with.

Still working on this spreadsheet, but right now (I'm going in alphabetic order) Benchmark & Bryston separates look like contenders.  We'll see.