Integrated amp recommendation

In the last year I’ve had the Ayer Ax7e, top notch sound but just didn’t have the balls I was looking for, switched to Belles Aria….problem solved and a decent headphone section to boot. However that YBA Audio Refinement Complete is just an incredible integrated for the price. Good luck.

Freya + and vidar 

I used to have a Rega Brio and changed to Schiit Ragnarok. It was a night-and-day difference to the better. I suggest you either try to find a used Ragnarok with a dac or buy a new one without dac. I would guess that the dac card is better than the Node and worth the money but it pushes the price north of $1500. On the other hand it will be easier to sell some other day if you want to.

A used Ayre could also be a great choice. 

It has not been stated by the author if the preference is tubes or SS. For a tube integrated <$1k, Jolida 502BRC. In SS <$1k, NAD C 375BEE, C368. Parasound New Classic 200. Creek Evolution 5350. Music Hall Mambo and many other listed on US Audiomart.

Selling my Belles Aria . Moving to separates.

I think someone mentioned the Plinius I owned an 8200 , 8200mkll, 9200apl sound powerful and musical 

Used for $1500 you can go higher up the Rega line to a Elex-r or Elicit-r. Highly recommend both. 

Probably not a lot of people here have heard a Piega. I demoed one twice and it was really fast because of the ribbon mid. It looked pretty much like the one you have but had I think 1 more woofer/mid. It also had very little warmth or body. I would be looking for something with a darkish extra mid bass quality to it. Sorry I don’t really have a suggestion at 1k. Maybe an Nad? Not sure how they would do with tubes but could look at a tube integrated if it was a fit. Cayin and Jolida make some that would be in that price range used and I’m sure some others. 

@phil59 - some good suggestions made here, but I'm with you on the 'stick to budget' approach. Especially buying used as you can turn things over and try different things to make that budget work for you before stretching it. Also stay focused on the character you're after - you noted warm for a modest room, and not all the suggestions go along with that. What's 'best' for one room and speaker may not be for yours, and reviews can help figure out prospects and eliminate others.

You asked about buying vintage used and I don't know if you got a response. Audiogon, US Audio Mart (and Canuck Audio Mart, too, as others mentioned the $ makes it worth it if you're in the US) and a handful of other sites rank sellers and provide feedback that can increase confidence. 

Buying used and buying vintage are different things, too. People will swear by 70s-80s stuff, but a lot can change in a device over 40 years, so buying used items built in the past 10-20 years by brands known to last is a generally safe bet.

Re suggestions around a DAC. In your price point, the Node DAC delivers nicely. I've tried a few DACs with my Node 2i and only one was truly 'better' across the board, the Denafrips Ares ii, but only just a bit better given my modest amps, so the jury is still out on whether the value is there, given it cost almost double the price of the Node itself.

Thank you, dcyyz, for your response. Helpful and supportive. I'm moving along, spending way too much time exploring the (for me) unknowable.

In your situation recently. I got the Yamaha s801. 100 watts into 8 ohms my, 200 watts into 4 ohms. Confirmed by a third party website. The author also noted that its overall performance was excellent. Includes a dac and a phone stage.  You can get it with a 30 or 60 day trial from one major online dealer or another.

Only $899 retail

Save some money, buy a Willsenton R8 tube integrated. It’s well tested on the audio market. Great KT88 tube amp that will drive your speakers with ease. Check YouTube for the Willsenton R8 and thank me later. Amazon carries them, in black or silver and black. Best tube integrated under $1500 bar none. 

Marantz pm7000 ... it's in your budget range, excellent reviews, easy to use

take a look at the NewClassic 200 Integrated

https://parasound.com/200_Integrated.php

Consider the Peachtree nova 150. The price is $999 at present.

Stanleylocke,

Could be either hybrid or solid state. Right now, the focus is on ensuring that the amp has enough power for the speakers. Thanks.

You should be able to find a used CREEK EVO 100A for ~$1000 (or less). I used one with Joseph RM25XL speakers and now with the "bit power hungry" Magnepan LRS+. The amp/speaker combo is great with either combination. Some reviews follow.

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/creek-evolution-100a

http://www.hifi-review.net/37-creek-evolution-100a.html

https://www.stereophile.com/content/creek-evolution-100a-integrated-amplifier

https://www.hifipig.com/creek-evolution-100cd-cd-player-and-100p-power-amp/

(the power amp is also what you get in the integrated version)

https://www.hifipig.com/thats-all-folks/

(photo of Creek 100A driving a set of Harbeths)

Many good recommendations have been made. Just a note… since your speakers are 89db efficient with a reported 4 ohms impedance, the output impedance (or damping factor) of your amplifier is important.  The lower the output impedance (or, the higher the damping factor), the better-sounding combination with your speakers it likely will be.  Have fun. 

I bought a Musical Fidelity M6i today. Thank you to all for your insights and recommendations!

phil59

Nice choice. Keep me posted as you massage the MF M6i into your room and system.

Happy Listening!

I don’t think there were any bad choices mentioned. Other than power requirements, equipment is so subjective. I had a hard time deciding on an integrated, and ended up buying all 3 of my choices. It was just too hard to decide. I ended up with a Pass 250,Mac 352 hybrid and a Hegal 390. All 3 sound wonderful, just different presentation. Hope you come back and tell how you like the Musical Fidelity. 

"ended up buying all 3 of my choices"

must be the craziest thing I read here so far. I am sure it won't stand for long.

"ended up buying all 3 of my choices"

must be the craziest thing I read here so far. I am sure it won’t stand for long.

kudos to the person who did this -- well, this is basically what i do... albeit carefully and patiently buying used pieces -- there is no substitute for first hand experience of how some component will sound like, and work, in one’s system

this is how i tried some 35-40 dacs in 3 years...

@jjss49 

#1 "35-40 dacs in 3 years..."

#2 "ended up buying all 3 of my choices"

#3 "150 cartridges"

... it's a never ending list

@grislybutter

many ways to enjoy this pursuit... none right or wrong... so long as the passion, curiosity and will are there, and the wallet obliges

life is a journey, hopefully one filled with wonderful experiences ...

wow. did we need a separate post for it? 

I’d step up to a used Naim XS2, about $1700, or a restored tube integrated Fisher or Scott for about $1,000+.