Integrated amplifier for Martin Logan Ethos


I am in the market for an integrated amplifier.  I only have 2 digital sources, a Node 2i for Tidal and my optical return from my TV.  I want to maximize my dollar and not spend for things I don't use (like Phono or lots of additional inputs, room correction, etc.

 

I would like to spend 5K or less and pre-owned is fine.    I am looking at the integrated amps below.  I realize it may be wiser to use a stand alone dac however one of the reasons i want to upgrade is synergy.  I have a tube preamp (Juicy Music Peach ii) an older B&K 200.2 and a Channel Islands VDA-2 Dac.  Everything sounds good but i think it lacks resolution and dynamics and it is not the most user friendly set up.   I would like to upgrade my dac and the preamp / amp so an all in one is appealing.  

 

Michi X3 (version 1 or 2)    Is the Dac appreciably better in V2?

 

Hegel H390 (all great reviews, i don't love the aesthetics)   Reliability long term?

McIntosh MA6700  (Would have to be used, hard to find, am i overpaying for features I don't need)

Luxman 505uxii or 507uxii and use my current DAC  (is this the right fit for Martin Logan Ethos?)   Will i regret not upgrading my DAC as i am 100% digital 

Peachtree Carina Gan.   (Most affordable and meets all my needs, would this be a step backwards?)  How good is the Dac?

Cary Si300.2d   (May seem like an odd choice but it checks all the boxes, made locally and can often be found factory direct or slightly used for 3-4K)

Yamaha R-N2000SA,    I like the looks and the functionality and price, is this a step below Michi or Hegel? 

 

 

macallan7

My thought is since i only need 2 digital sources, which solution has the best internal dac?   It seems like a waste to buy an expensive analog only integrated to then add a 1-2K external dac.   I will never add phono or use tone controls so I think something like the Michi or Peachtree may be the best bang for the buck given my use case.  

 

I feel like i am always advised to keep everything separate for future upgradability however I have been using digital only (CD or Hi res streaming) for 20+ years. 

 

I think a good all in one focused on digital 2 channel would be an upgrade to my current system that is somewhat pieced together randomly over time

 

 

Really depends on what sound characteristics/improvements you’re looking for, and several of the amps you listed sound very different from one another. Also, the DAC is very important and I’d advocate for buying a standalone DAC if you really want the best performance. I’d also budget for an external LPS for the Node as it apparently makes for a big increase in performance.