Integrated upgrade recomendations

Congrats and enjoy!

You’re getting bad advice. Always choose speakers first, then find the amp to drive them. Always.

Hey everyone just an update. I went to a local store here in NYC and listened to a few amps including the Rogue Sphinx v3. I went with the Sphinx it sounded awesome!

Haha, Class D hybrid wins the day! YAY! 🤩

If you want the best, look at a PASS integrated.  Used or new, PASS are the best amplifiers on the market.  Reno HiFi has home demos for free.  Give them a call.

Hey Mikey! Congratulations and Enjoy. I hope the new integrated brings you much joy.

congrats OP ! Enjoy in good health 

Jim

Hey everyone just an update. I went to a local store here in NYC and listened to a few amps including the Rogue Sphinx v3. I went with the Sphinx it sounded awesome! 

+1 @dayglow 

Upgrade your amp then source and have basic room treatment. 

I would modify this advice just a little bit. Often, the room is a big and overlooked factor affecting the sound. With that in mind, I would do things this way:

(a) Test your room and see if there are large bass and reflection problems. Play with positioning to mitigate problems. There are a lot of resources out there about this and basic room triage can be done quickly. You will then have a better baseline to judge every other component.

(b) Consider getting a better DAC than the Sprout. An R2R topology might be just the ticket.

(c) If (a) and (b) don't help improve things a lot, then a better amp might be the ingredient that tips things significantly forward.

 

Parasound Hint is tough to beat loads of features, the prior model 5 was a Stereophile class A component.

I never mentioned an amp. I helped my sister set up an entry level system. Decided on a Belles Aria due to the reviews and comments by well respected bloggers and by luck the Belles Aria is excellent at it's price point(2500?) With this amp you can upgrade to another efficient speaker and keep your amp. 

@mikeybklyn,

Maybe a Schiit Ragnarok integrated amp. Cost $1700.

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

 

How about the Leak Stereo 130 integrated? 

https://www.leakaudio.com

 

 

 

 

The issue with many Audiophiles is they go cheap on electronics. Yes most of us know speakers/room will dictate/control your sound. When you cut corners on electronics you will never know what the speakers capability is. What % do you think the Sprout gets out of your Denton 85? Upgrade your amp then source and have basic room treatment. When this is accomplished enjoy the Denton until your ready for a speaker upgrade.

What size space, main music system?

I would use those speakers in a second system, and get new larger speakers if the space allows. Or, no 2nd use, sell them to help pay for the speakers you move up to.

I use and very much like my Wharfedale Diamond 225, similar driver sizes and efficiency, in my office (with a single sub adding just enough that they don’t sound small).

your interesting amp does not appear to have pre-out/main-in so not ideal if you want to try a stereo pair of self-powered subs.

This is my main/only system in my den. Room is 15x15 8 foot ceilings. I am not opposed to upgrading speakers, but with the Sprout the Denton 85s fill the room nicely. Unfortunately, the digital input on the sprout stopped working and I'm out of warranty so I figured this would be a good opportunity to upgrade

What size space, main music system?

I would use those speakers in a second system, and get new larger speakers if the space allows. Or, no 2nd use, sell them to help pay for the speakers you move up to.

I use and very much like my Wharfedale Diamond 225, similar driver sizes and efficiency, in my office (with a single sub adding just enough that they don’t sound small).

your interesting amp does not appear to have pre-out/main-in so not ideal if you want to try a stereo pair of self-powered subs.

Naim 5si...$1699. 

The Sprout is bright and the Wharfedale's are dull. If you are keeping one as part of any future upgrade path then bear in mind you like the current sound.  If you replace one of them, do so with the same characteristics. If you believe you will upgrade both in the future either do it now or pick the one with a more neutral balance. Cheaper Marantz amps and dads tend to be bright. Rotel and certainly Creek tend to be more neutral. Musical Fidelity are rather more hit and miss some great others not, some bright, some dull. If you can afford then Naim are my preference of the well known brands, with NAD a good cheaper choice.

Just went through this got  a Rotel A14

very happy 

powerful

great  sound

tons of inputs and outputs

 

 

 

 

 

I like the Marantz PM8006;  I had a PM8005 for several years and was very happy with the overall performance.  Received almost full value as a trade in.

 

https://www.marantz.com/en-us/product/amplifiers/pm8006

 

Creek, Music Fidelity, Burson, Rogue, or a Kinki (super nice Chinese amps that hit WAY above their price). 
 

but yeah, Belles is also killin’!

Thanks so much everyone!

You might find this review of the Quad Vena II used with Wharfedale Lintons relevant to your search:

 

 

Belles Aria integrated.  Audio Connection, Johnny Rutan, New Jersey.  And you're done.

hi mickey from brooklyn

 

we are close to you with ahuge selection of integrated amps

 

our shop is in nearby jersey city

 

we have rega ,peachtree unison research nuprime parasound micromega

anthem krell and a few others for you to checkout.

 

www.audiointellect.com

 

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect NJ

Rega Elex R maybe?

The Rotel RA-1572MKll would be an excellent option.

https://www.rotel.com/product/ra-1572mkii
 

Cheers,

 

Scott

Parasound Hint 6 in that price range.

I’d go with a new amp.  Really depends on what sound characteristics and improvements you’re looking for, but I’d put the Belles Aria integrated on your list.  Best of luck.