Parasound Hint 6. Great bang for the buck. Fully featured.
integrated amp on a budget
Hey, could you suggest SS integrated amp on a budget? 2500€ max (about 2800$).
I've upgraded my speakers to Klipsch Heresy IV. Have also leftover from previous setup 2 small Wharfendale subwoofers SPC8 (depends of situation might get rid of them). Listening mainly to rock and all kind of metal (think from Led Zeppelin to Cannibal Corpse).
Room size varies, as I'm moving at next year again. As input I use PC, so DAC. No need for phono. Streaming may be, but is not essential. May be used. Remote would be nice, but again not important..
I'd proabably go for simplest and most minimalist setup. Would have bougth Schiit Ragnarok 2 all included (with dac and phono), but they have been out of stock for a few months in Europe (probably world wide chip crisis).
Also, as in Europe, I've no clue for a good site for used amps. Can't order from US or UK, also US based companies are probably 150% in EU (and very likely vice versa).
Can't think of anything else right now, thanks in advance.
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I took a chance on a used Cayin A88T, excellent build, sounds terrific. Mine does not have pre-out/main in for going to self-powered subs, not sure about newer models. I decided based on this review, glad I did. https://6moons.com/audioreviews/cayin/a88t.html ................................ Raven’s have built-in features to go out to sub, they say low bass is 65% of the load. You would need to try used Raven or spend more for new. |
@highendbroker is in Europe and is reputable selling top used gear. Look there! |
About a month ago, I started a discussion called : «A decent integrated amp under 2K». You may find interesting stuff in there. |
Integrated.... Hmmmmm.... If we're talking used, this (maybe...)
The problem with Levinson gear is that it is well known the power supply section in caps and rectifiers will need replacement, and the other caps in the signal path will likely need replacement as this unit is fairly long in the tooth now, so maybe not exactly a budget option, unless you can find one with low hours. If NEW is on the menu, then this!
Below - two of these mono amps!
From Schiit's website, they write this: Freya+ and 2 Vidars, $2347. Now you're getting into serious capability, with Freya+ and 2 Vidars run in mono, for 400W per channel. This system is serious overkill, but sometimes there's no dose like an overdose! Choose Freya+ and 2 Vidars for: Exceptional power, headroom, and flexibility The tube preamp will be awesome. When you have some fun money, perhaps buy some Telefunken or Amperex vintage tubes to sweeten the sound. In any case, happy hunting as the saying goes, and have a Happy New Year! |
https://www.jolida.com/. Might be worth checking out!!! |
@curiousjim can’t go wrong with Hegel. Good call. |
The Arcam SA30 Int. amp is another good choice. Lots of power, Built in DAC, great sound, and very flexible. Costs a bit more new ($3300.00). However, I've seen used go between 2-2.5k, if you can find one. |
Luxman model on ebay directly from Japan might have voltage problem，there is no imformation on ebay. @brianh61 Must check with the seller before put the order. |
@runwell - I was not actually pointing out the one on ebay but the fact that there are several available in the OPs price range.
I have been using one for 2 years now and it surprises me all the time. I do use the Separate mode as HT Bypass with my HT but I rarely engage the Tone Controls. Currently driving Fyne Audio F502SPs with ease. |
@brianh61 Yes,I agree. those old Luxman is very good value in sound and value with $25XX price. Just remind to pay attention the voltage different in Japan. |
EXPOSURE 3010S D2 is clearly the way to go! its very well designed, lots of power for a small integrated amp(110 channel) and is well laid out with no unnecessary bells and whistles to add to signal path. Very neutral sounding and musical with the (PRAT) pace, Rhythm, etc. get one and enjoy the music! Under $2,500 |
An option I think may be better than most anything is a Lyngdorf integrated with Room Correction. With that kind of music when things get fast and hectic it brings the everything in to such better focus. Bass will be sooo much tighter and slamming. IME the Lyngdorf does not work very well with low efficiency speakers but with those Klipsch it would be amazing. A Lyngdorf 2170 made a pair of vintage Cerwin Vega DX9s sound like a high end speaker and I’m not exaggerating. Crazy good. if you are against room correction I would personally be looking at a tube integrated. |
I think alot of the amps mentioned would serve you well with some sounding smoother, some sounding grittier, some extenuating some frequencies over others. That said, I use Focal speakers which have a 90 dB or better in room response. Hegel and Focal seem to go very well together. But I have hooked up a Keces E40 integrated amp (34watts@8 ohms/ 61 watts@ 4 ohms) and at the volumes I listen to I find it extremely satisfying at the volumes I listen at. It’s sound quality is very much like my hegel and new, last I checked costs $630 delivered. The Hegel weighs 42#...the Keces E40 weighs about 10#. The Keces E40 is stated to be capable of up to 15 amps per channel for bursts should the speaker require it. My Hegel is probably about 35 amps/channel. But the little Keces does it for me. Keces also makes a 100 watt power amp that rates very highly but costs much more. One of these days I’ll list the Hegel. Overkill for my "large" bookshelf speakers. Good luck in your search.
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