2. amps-preamps
  3. 157868-6504

Lively, fast & open sounding integrated under 3k?

My speakers are 89db 2 way monitors with a very warm sound. Minimum impedance 3.5 ohm
large Room, low level listening 

My goals
no.1
excellent immediacy, speed & timing (dont recommend naim, very unnatural forced sound)

no2
forward soundstage (begins at the listening position and extends beyond the speakers)

No3.
Body without warmth

no4.
small in size if possible, but no class D, doubles into 4 ohms, Good at low volumes
new or used.

possible candidates from reading reviews

crayon cia-1
teac ai-2000
krell s300i
sugden a21se

zuio

Showing 2 responses by nonoise

nonoise's avatar
nonoise
11,150 posts
 
@auxinput,
I was on the fence about that and even a professional reviewer here ( I believe it was Doug Schrodeer) recommended I do it but after I got my Audioquest Niagara 1200, everything improved to the point where I now find it unnecessary to change anything.

The sound is fuller, has more body, the highs lost some of that tizzy edge and the base goes way down and is tighter and more defined.

Oh well and all the best,
Nonoise
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
11,150 posts
 
I was going to recommend the Kinki Studio M-1 but it's not small and weighs in at around 50 lbs. It does all the things you mentioned with aplomb and one eye closed and one hand tied behind it's back.

From what I've read from a reviewer who's owned the Crayon and the Kinki, and who thinks they have that same Swiss sound, check out the Crayon.

All the best,
Nonoise
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