2. amps-preamps
  3. 175543-101401

Next move from Parasound HINT?

I appreciate all input and experiences…I am considering moving up from my Parasound Halo Integrated.  My hope is for better sound quality, particularly with vinyl.

My current configuration is:

1) Anthem MRX 1120 AVR for Home theater (11.1)

2) Parasound HINT to power my fronts (B&W 702 S2) and my subwoofer (SVS PB-3000) and for vinyl playback (Thorens TD-160 Super, Dynavector XX2 cart)

3) Parasound JC3+ Phono Preamp

 

Needs for Integrated Amp:

1) more refined musicality for analog playback - I listen to a lot of rock, particularly hard rock, progressive and metal.  However, I listen to a range of music, as well…from classical to trip hop to new wave…I just want to to really wow me with soundstage, separation, clarity and punch.

2) Home Theater bypass capability - onboard bass management is a plus

3) Balanced In / Balanced Out

4) L/R Speaker / Sub outputs

 

Do not need:

1) onboard phono stage

2) A whole bunch of digital inputs

3) USB

 

Thank you all in advance for any helpful opinions!

tgterm

Showing 2 responses by arafiq

arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,706 posts
 

What’s your max budget? This will help us narrow down the choices. 

arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,706 posts
 

FWIW, I heard Hegel H390, Naim Supernait 3, and Luxman 590AXII a couple of years ago. I ended up buying the Luxman (bought a used one, new was too expensive for my pocketbook), which was amazing! Had I not bought the Luxman, Hegel would have been next on my list. For some reason, I could not warm up to Naim S3. It definitely had a preppy (I think they call it PRAT) presentation that I found to be a little too much for my taste. Of course this is a very subjective opinion, but I feel that B&W voices their speakers also on the ’preppy’ side of things, and pairing them with Naim might be too much of a good thing. IMO Hegel 390 with the damping factor is a better choice for your speakers.

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