Try the NAD M33. I have been a skeptic about class D amps, but after buying the NAD I'm convinced that the technology is now mature enough to compete with the best class A/AB amps. The NAD has penty of power (200 watts/channel), is dead quite, is actually mildly sweet sounding (not the "chalky" sound of earlier class D amps) and doesn't seem to mind difficult loads (I use mine with a pair of Acoustat 2+2's which are 82 db inefficient AND a nasty minimum 2 ohm load). I traded in Parasound monoblocks, a Parasound preamp, a streamer and a phone preamp. The simplicity is fantastic (no more expensive cables all over the place), no heat, and the sound is as good or better than the separates. Plus it has Dirac room correction which does a great job of taming a couple nasty room nodes. Unbelievable value for the money. My only concern is reliability. I have had no problems so far, but my experience with other NAD products has been mixed in that respect.
Integrated amp to go with Magnepan 3.7i
I currently have an NAD C388 powering my 3.7i's. Originally I heard the 3.7i's paired with Parasound monoblocs and really liked them but wasn't prepared to spend that much. A few years later I saw them with the NAD and thought the set-up offered 90% of the life like open sound I remembered.
Like many people I really liked it but a few years out my setup feels underwhelming and almost distorted or harsh at higher volume. So I'm looking at upgrading the amp. I only stream Tidal through a Node 2i, mostly rock and alternative. I just want the music to sound as real as possible - instruments and vocals.
I really like the ease of integrated vs separates. Reading numerous threads, Pass amps seem to be ideal with Magnepan like the INT250, but to get a good DAC and less heat was thinking of others. Seeing used listings, the Hegel H390 and NAD M33 stood out as ideal for me.
The NAD and Hegel are cheaper and easy but wondering if I would miss out on much better sound with the Pass.
Like many people I really liked it but a few years out my setup feels underwhelming and almost distorted or harsh at higher volume. So I'm looking at upgrading the amp. I only stream Tidal through a Node 2i, mostly rock and alternative. I just want the music to sound as real as possible - instruments and vocals.
I really like the ease of integrated vs separates. Reading numerous threads, Pass amps seem to be ideal with Magnepan like the INT250, but to get a good DAC and less heat was thinking of others. Seeing used listings, the Hegel H390 and NAD M33 stood out as ideal for me.
The NAD and Hegel are cheaper and easy but wondering if I would miss out on much better sound with the Pass.