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

I went from the Parasound Hint to a McIntosh integrated. It has everything you would want in an integrated. 

@arafiq My budget is around $5K, thought I’d prefer to stay under.  

@twoleftears Using my sub when listening to analog is still a very strong preference, though.  I feel much less strongly about onboard phono preamp (love my JC3+).

@stereo5 which McIntosh did you move to?

Thanks!

I have a similar setup, but mine is a Musical Fidelity M6si integrated and an Anthem MRX 520.

I run the front channels via HT bypass to the MF. The HT sub and surrounds stay with the Anthem.

Then, to supplement the two channel, I run a distributed bass array of 4 subs via a miniDSP 2x4 from the pre out on the Musical Fidelity.

Works for me.