Integrated amp with dac - opinions?

Hi,

thanks for the replies and suggestions. I'll check all the gear and do some thinking.

Max

Hi Max,

I bought a NAD M2 not long ago. After a looong break-in, and spending some time on speaker placement, I can say the sound very much what I was looking for. It is quite detailed, revealing and dynamic - and it circumvents the DAC.

I agree with Jrinkerptdnet - something upgradeable makes a bunch of sense (the M2 is not). I believe the new NAD 390DD is one such amplifier. (I'm not trying to advertise for NAD, just so-happen to know of the 390DD, and of course own the M2)

Not sure what your price range is, but the Hegel H300 looks like it would be worth a look. Best of luck.

try to find one with multiple digital inputs and is preferably upgradable (firm ware upgrades, software upgrades, hot swappable boards) as technology changes. I would probably not purchase anything that did not include a USB input at this point in time either (asynchronus USB). others may disagree

I heard the Peachtree iNova at a dealer and thought it sounded very natural and musical in the midrange on jazz and vocals. I didn't hear it with more bass-oriented music like rock and electronica though, so I can't comment on the bass performance. Other options to explore would be integrated amps from Bryston and Simaudio which offer internal dacs as an option. I haven't heard the exact integrateds they now offer, but have owned gear from both companies in the past and think highly of their build and sound quality.