Integrated Amp Shopping Decisions

Belles Aria is excellent and a step above a number of the amps you mention like the Rogue. Dave Belles has been around for years and is an engineer first and businessman second. His stuff is first rate in engineering and parts and build quality. Rogue is American made but the Class D amp in the Sphinx has to be carefully matched with speakers as it can sound bright. Hint is a good product but priced beyond your budget unless you buy used. I personally would choose my speakers first then look for an amp that has synergy with them. I would try to hear the combination if I could in a store. OUtlaw Audio is a direct marketer which sells a very good receiver which has been around in some form for at least 10 years and is made to their specs in a very good quality format. It has been highly rated by numerous reviewers. I have a friend who bought one as a backup to his NAD integrated and ended up using it as his primary with both Rogers and Dynaco speakers. I was surprised how good it sounded for about $1200. But the Aria is above all these. I believe there is a deaer in FL too. Also, dont scoff at the Marantz options if you could find a PM8006 used you would have a winner...Class AB, tone and balance, direct thru if you want short path, made in Japan, many positive reviews of the variants from 8004. 8005 on. Sells for about $1500 new if you can find one. The 700 is based off this amp. I have one of the 8005 in a second system and it is very nice.

Honestly, you might be better off getting the Parasound NewClassic 200 integrated instead.  Its price new is <50% of the Hint 6, and has a very similar feature set.  Put the $ saved into your speakers and you'll likely come out ahead in SQ.

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.

If a Musical Fidelity M6si is of interest, let me know. All original everything. 

You really need to hear this IA . I would pick it over all others in your range. 

https://www.hifichoice.com/content/belles-aria

https://youtu.be/6iv2t9SErkA

https://youtu.be/zwxxJC0Dd5c

@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 have had both Parsound and Musical Fidelity brands. I have the A21 amp and the M6 500i (MF integrated). I like both brands. I think the MF has a dual mono amp and that would be an enormous advantage in sound. If I were shopping, the MF would be at the top of my list of the ones you are looking at. Also I have Odyssey products and would not buy them again. Way too much hype on that brand...IMO.

"your best bang for the buck" and "I have one for sale" sounds like a great deal because you know it firsthand.

I would advise against the Lintons as I had them, in a similar sized room, and they sounded chaotic. Not only that, it had no pluses, no musicality, decent vocals, clarity, depth, nothing. Maybe it was a lemon.

Generally speaking, I don't think it's a bad thing to have "too much power" unless you overdrive your speakers or the sound quality is compromised. It seems unlikely that you would do that in a smallish room. In addition, the extra power could be a benefit should you desire to change speakers in the future.

@glennjohn       Budget point $1800 won't buy much in way of separates.  At this level much better sound quality will be obtained by not buying two boxes, two power supplies, extra cabling and connections etc etc etc.  Certainly stay with integrated.

I would not be concerned about the increased power of the Parasound it meets your needs and can be found at your budget.  

@vinyljones1 I'll describe my experience in regards to your post above.  My bookshelf speakers (I have several) sound wayyyyy better with my 50wpc integrated than with my 100wpc.  Conversely, my floorstanders (i have several) sound better with my 100wpc integrated.  As they say around here, YMMV.  Best of luck to you! 

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?

You'll be happy w Parasound; always safe choice.  Please consider calling Klaus Bunge at Odyssey Audio.  He could build a Kismet Integrated that will be similar price but end-game for you!! 

https://odysseyaudio.com/

The Marantz PM7000N should be on your shortlist. It checks every box on your requirements list, and then some. I bought one to 'hold me over' while deciding on a pre/power/DAC setup, and after I got it broken in, I kinda stopped looking (although a McIntosh MA252 still tugs at my heartstrings, even if I would need an outboard DAC/Streamer). It drives my LS-50s, my Maggie MMGs, and my Monitor Audio Silver 300 7Gs just fine, as it delivers about 90W/Ch into 4 Ohms. As for headphones, its headphone amp likewise drives my HiFiman Sundaras just fine. I could go on about the DAC and streaming, and the HEOS app, the phono stage, but just check it out. As for the 40N, it's even more of the above, and 2X the cost at $2500, so its well over your $1800 budget. 

The Naim 5si is only 1999 new. It has a great headphone section. No phono preamp, just 4 line levels. It may go well with the lintons. However, I would recommend using naim nac a5 speaker cables, as it is a bit picky and you'll get the most out of the Amp by doing so. 

Really fancied the Linton's, until I heard them, dull as dishwater, so if committed to them the Yamaha amps could be a good choice. 

I have not heard it, but the Heaven 11 Billie integrated amp has gotten some really good reviews recently (most notably Steve Huff who raves about it). Looks like everything you are looking for…..says free shipping and 30 day evaluation period.

215 WPC, phono stage, tube pre-amp, built in headphone amp…..sounds interesting to me

Feel the Rogue Cronus Magnum III would be really nice for your setup. Great phono and head amp too…

cheers!

http://www.rogueaudio.com/Products_Cronus_Magnum.htm

Go with separates for better sound than Integrated. 

Marantz 40n ... beautiful design, and functional with actual bass and treble knobs, plus has a serviceable streamer, adequate inputs, and good dac.

I have the Adcom 535L, also. It in storage but it's a sweet amp. If you were curious about a detour, I bet a nice 6SN7 preamp with the Adcom would sound sweet. I've tried that combo and it's quite good.

accessories4less has the mf 5si on sale for $1350--sounds like a very good deal. they have a return policy if you don't like it.

Rogue Sphinx V3.

Well maybe they are a little old school but I have always had great luck the UK made integrated amplifiers, like from Naim, Rega, Croft. They are built smaller but they can pack a real punch and sound really fine.

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. 

What about the new NAD C3050LE integrated?  Since you have a NAD now you can stay 'in the family' so to say.

It's just a smidge over your budget at $1972 new.

The MF is a good choice, too, imo.

I own both the Rogue Shinx V3 and a Yamaha A-S701 which is the same as the 801 regarding amplification and phonostage however the DACs are different. 

The Rogue is superior sonically and has a better phonostage. 

Also the Outlaw may be a viable option. 

Another vote for the Rogue integrated. Cronus os Sphinx.
If the phono stage in it is as good as the one in RP-1 (you can call Rogue and confirm) it will take a $500-$600 external phono to beat it. Schiit Mani doesn’t compare to it at all. But you will need external DAC or a Bluesound Node

Sphinx V3 for $1200

Parasound should be nice.

I would also add Hegel H90 to the list.
Marantz integrated used should also be around your price range.

Yamaha A S801 is a solid piece, sounds natural and has plenty of power and features.  Use the extra money for some music or an upgrade elsewhere.

I'm a dealer for several of lines you mentioned (Rogue, Bel Canto, Parasound).  The Sphinx is a great choice and very flexible unit with its power output and onboard phonostage.
Another option you didn't mention that you may want to consider, the new Rega Elex-MK4.  Nice onboard MM stage AND a nice on-board Dac as well (although no USB input).

Just a touch over your budget would be the Rotel RA-1572mkii. I have the 1570 I bought as a stop-gap piece a while back and it turned out to be way better than I thought it would.  I really enjoy it. 

+1 on the rogue phono stage implementations.  If Sphinx phono stage  is anything like my RP-1 it’s good as the Moon LP 110 separate.

I went from the Parasound Int to a Pass INT 60...it was a step up...but not huge. The Parasound will also give you a basic Phono pre-MC/MM not the best but better than entry level. I also thought the DAC was better than I expected.

Have the Rogue Sphinx.  Have paired it with both the Technics 1210 & 1500.  The built in phono on the Rogue is as good as the Schiit Mani phono (which I owned at one point).  I also have the PS Audio DAC and SACD transport in the mix. Zu Audio Omen bookshelf speaker round out the system.  

I think you will be pretty happy with the Rogue.  Took me awhile to find it.  Had a Rega Brio, which was just ok.  Had a Croft integrated which I could not understand why people liked it.  Rogue is enjoyable.  Non-fatiguing sound.  

Rich 

Parasound HINT6----would be a great choice. I've owned it...way beyond its price point especially used.

Was wondering if anyone had first hand experience with the Parasound or Rouge. The Parasound looks like it ticks alot of boxes.

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.

Look at the Schiit Ragnarok integrated amp.

Mike

https://www.schiit.com/products/ragnarok-1

Consider using 2 Schiit Manis for your turntables into line inputs on whatever amp you get. On-board phonos are generally average at best. Add a linear power supply to the Mani as an upgrade in future.