Oh, I should have added the Ragnarok. I did check it out. Thx. I also should have stated I only use one table mainly the 1210 since getting it.. I also was remiss in stating that a very good headphone amp is very important as much of my listening is through Senn 600's.
Integrated Amp Shopping Decisions
Looking to replace my 1987 NAD 1240 preamp and Adcom 535ll. They have served me well for years but are now both very long in the tooth and probably time for caps but not interested in investing as it would be a poor investment to update them. So I am looking to go integrated. Have a Technics 1210GR and Music Hall 7 so vinyl is a given. Also need USB for my Dead flac files. So my needs are decent MM phone preamp, USB and can run either RCA or coax out from my Rotel Tribute CD. Don't really need Bluetooth. Preferable to have tone controls. I am looking at a new speaker purchase which may likely be Wharfedale Lintons or Evos. Price point around $1800 max.
So, I have a list of possibles. Cambridge CXA81 but no tone controls or phonestage so not sure about this one, Parasound HINT6 preowned puts me $1800 (Its got the phono and DAC, ) Bel Canto C5i gives me phono and DAC (if I can find preowned) Rogue Sphinx (plus add Schitt Mani DAC) Musical Fidelity M5si (preowned), Yamaha S801 gets good reviews but lower price scares me. Any contenders I am missing? Thoughts?
Showing 6 responses by vinyljones1
Good responses. Sounds like the Rogue may be the one. I saw the one listed. I would add the Modi+ for USB and Toslink. In response to erik t, I thought about the NAD but don't think the NAD today is the same company. I did buy an NAD disc player about 12 years ago which promptly died after two years so I am leary of taking another chance on them. Regarding the Rotel, I did think of Rotel as the Tribute disc player I have has so far proven a nice unit. Great sound and ability to bypass internal DAC. I'm in Northeast Fl and have House of Stereo in Jax and Salon1 in Ormond Beach but neither carry what I am considering so it's gonna end up a hail Mary purchase. Anyone shed light on sonics between the Parasound, Rogue or Musical Fidelity or Rotel? Never heard of Outlaw. |
I kind of keep going back to the Parasound as it ticks many boxes with the USB and phonestage. Hopefully the headphone section is decent as I will use it very often. My only thought is it is 160W per channel and may very well be way more power then I need for smaller bookshelves. I'm not sure what speakers I'll be using but it's only a 12x12 room, so don't need anything large. Not even sure of the Wharfedales. Question is, is would the Parasound be overkill with so much power? Would it overpower smaller speakers, or is it better to have more reserve and not use it? I'm sure an 80 watt amp would be more than sufficient. Is there such a thing as too much power? Would 160 watts be too much for speakers rated to 125?
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@2psyop After much looking and reading, the MF M3si looks like a top contender. It gets high marks for the phono stage and has USB and some nice reviews. No tone controls though. The Hint 6 is also still a contender as is the Denon 1600 or 1700NE. They have what I am looking for. Had a Denon cassette deck back when I bought my NAD (1987) and it ran for years. Checked out the Belles Aria but found very little about it. Even their own website has no specs. Seems very strange to me. No write ups to speak of either. Seems like a ghost product so I think I'll scratch that one. |
I appreciate all the great responses. Actually considering the Denon 1600NE as it has what I need. The Belles sounds interesting but I as a former self employed business owner, I can't for the life of me understand why the maker doesn't even bother to show any photos except for front of unit nor any specs etc. Is there no pride here? Very little on the web about a product that's been around quite awhile. Something doesn't seem right. Just on that fat I have a hard time even considering it. |