2. amps-preamps
  3. 194518-1541

Need New amp or integrated...have some options

OK, posted a few days ago looking at a CLASSDAUDIO option to replace a dying McIntosh MC250. After lots more research, I dont think I am going that way now just to get this done, no time for testing. Thinking I am going to go integrated and use later as a backup. Been looking around on the Gon/USA/TMR etc for options and have seen a few things that I am either familiar with or have actually heard. In Hawaii, so it is a "blind faith Hail Mary" kind of buy for the most part. I see a Rega Elex mkii that gets good writeups at a good price for a demo unit. Also, some Rogue Sphinx V3/Magnum and Rotel A14mk2 and a larger Rotel 1572mk2 units and a few Marantz Model 50 and 30 and an Exposure 2510. Only one of these I have heard is the Rogue Sphinx in V3 form. All have enough power on paper, some allow for 2 sets of speakers which is a plus, some even have pre out option so I can use it as my pre with remote down the line. I probably sound a little crazy right now but I am trying to solve multiple problems (2 dead amps actually) and balance good sound now with options for down the road with this eventually being either a backup unit or moving to my office. I am interested especially in the Rega and Rotel input. I heard a Brio years ago and it impressed for what it was. Never heard modern Rotel. I like Marantz and had a PM8005 but thinking that I should try a different sound/pov. This stuff is entry level or one step up I know. (My wife quashed going into a higher investment by reminding me of other priorities (new car, paying for a river cruse she wants to do) so marital harmony takes precedence after 35 years.)  Anyone familiar with the sound, operation or reliability of these units, I appreciate your input. There is no substitute for others considered opinions given no options to listen. I kind of just want to get this done as I have other pressing things to address.  Mahalo.

joekapahulu

Showing 1 response by helomech

helomech
1,850 posts
 

I’ve owned quite a few integrateds within your budget. The standouts are Yamaha’s MOSFET powered series (A-S2100 or 2200), the Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum 2, and the Axxess Forté1 (within your budget used). Most others were good to mediocre but did not connect me with the music. I like Rogue’s full tube products but I would avoid their hybrid amps. I’ve owned both the Sphinx V2 and Pharaoh. Both were mediocre in my system and left me cold. 

The Axxess Forte1 is my current integrated. It doesn’t compete with $20K of separates (hardly any integrateds do) but it does remarkably well and most importantly, draws my attention toward the music rather than having me critique its performance every time I sit down. A bonus is you can leave it powered on 24/7 with negligible power draw. I preferred this integrated to a Luxman 507Z in a back-to-back comparison. 

The Rogue CM2—great sounding amp—engaging, but was noisy in my system. Allegedly they addressed the noise floor in their mk3 revision. If so, I think it is a no-brainer if you can live with the heat of tubes. One thing the CM does particularly well is throw an extremely wide soundstage—on par with megabuck amps. To my ears it only sounds solid-state in the good ways but offers plenty of tube bloom and dimensionality. 

I’ve also liked Rega integrateds throughout multiple auditions. They tend to have excellent PRaT. 
 

 

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