Let me know your choice please

"Snack Bracket"

I like that

Just an FYI post...

Thanks for those who contributed to this thread - it helped a lot

I ended up purchasing a Bryston 135 integrated amp
http://www.bryston.com/products/power_amps/B135-3.html

My "fears" of a clinical sounding amp have been put to rest. It is very musical with deep controlled and detailed bass, amazingly clear top end and a rich mid section.

My biggest fear was "what if I didn’t like the sound", mainly because I had grown to really appreciate the sound of my NAIM 5i.in my system.

To my surprise the sound of the Bryston was not too different from the NAIM from a tonal perspective. The biggest difference was in the larger image that extended further back behind the speakers and also extended further forward behind the listening position with instruments and performers having more space around them

It controls my speakers with much more "authority", bringing to life some very deep bass notes that the NAIM was not able to reproduce.

From the Bryston web site...

The Bryston B135³ Integrated Amplifier is without question one of the most sonically transparent and reliable audio products available. It offers performance levels equal to the finest separate audio components.

I cannot vouch for this since I have never owned separates, but it is extremely good and I only have 6 hours burn-in completed.

From a technical perspective this unit is three amps in one box, each with it’s own transformer/powersupply - it’s much heavier than the NAIM.

It’s nicely finished and nicely laid out, but it’s not a "glamorous" looking unit, which suits me - after all I had a NAIM, which is basically a black box with a volume know :-)

My system, ;like me, is now completely CANADIAN !!!, with a few British bits thrown in for good measure...
- Gershman Acoustics Sonogram Speakers
- Bluesound Node 2
- Simaudio Moon Phono stage
- Audiomods Toneam (English) on my own DIY Turntable

The Bryston has made a significant improvement to my overall sound and in my listening room the synergy between the various components is extremely good.

I still like the NAIM 5i - it is a very good choice, but it should probably be used with a smaller or more efficient speaker - which would let it perform better than it did with my speakers.

Many thanks for all the feedback

To answer the two previous posts...

My NAIM amp 
- has an annoying THUMP when you power up
- seems to REQUIRE recapping about every 10-12 years at around $400

So I used to leave the amp turned on (also a NAIM recommendation) to avoid  the thump, but then the CAPS needed replacing after only 10 years of use

So why do I want to change -  when I received the NAIM back from the distributor I did not notice the power switch was in the ON position. When I plugged the power cable into the amp it blew one of the woofers.

Not that I am blaming NAIM for any of this - it was just an unfortunate happenstance - but would it have happened using a different amp that does NOT discharge into the speaker?

The other reason is I do not want to recap again.

I have had other receivers that are still running after 30 years and never had to recap (yet)

Bryston warranties their gear for 20 years - no recapping there

So why is the life of the caps selected by NAIM so short?

So I am looking for a replacement that powers up quietly, but sounds just as good, if not better

Thanks for the feedback

swapping without really having any issues can cause you to make mistakes. what's wrong with the naim? if you like the sound keep it
you are easy pray to salesmen when you don't know what you want
you will have to listen to simaudio or mf for yourself so you can tell if you like it .whether it matches your speakers will be a bit of a gamble unless you audition amps with them
 naim  are great amps if it's just about going to a newer model 
you can try new naim stuff.but since it's without a dac than what's to upgrade ?
sometimes old models sound better. i wouldn't pay 3k for something made in taiwan  .i'm using an arcam amp from the 90's sounds great i see no reason to change an amp that sounds good .once you change the amp to another brand a few things will change at the same time and it will never be the same .

Lots of information, but what sonic characteristics are most important to you and what exactly are you looking to improve upon over what you have now?

Why?

Bryston cube series amps are really smooth and natural sounding imo. You can also look at used Hegel integrated amps. Simaudio is a good choice, i think they cost more than Bryston for smilarly priced amps. Cannot go wrong with either imo. 

MF is great.  I am a dealer of it and they are a strong value.  It is made in Taiwan so you are getting pricing associated with production in China with quality English Design.  They are great sounding and are just a touch forward vs. neutral.  Exactly what you would expect from a class AB Integrated.  DAC is decent.  Phono stage is better than what you would expect.  

The M3, M5 & M6 integrateds are similar in sound profile and ability to replicate detail.  The biggest difference is power output, size of transformers and chassis.  The build quality is impressive.  The remotes are kind of sad and are cheap plastic.  

I have demo'd several Simaudio amps.  They are great.  Sound quality is exceptional.  Can't go wrong with it even driving more forward speakers like B&Ws.  

I am not sure if I would say Bryston's are "too clinical." That usually means so forward it is inching toward bright.  I have listened to them driving a range of speakers and my POV is it is probably the most neutral between the three of these.  Are they significantly better than MF or Simaudio?  Not sure I would say that, they are just a little different.  

Which one is best?  Couldn't answer that.  These are three pretty excellent choices.  I know this is probably not that helpful and you would like to hear these two stink and this one is great.

I have never heard analogue audio and have no POV.