No frills balanced ss integrated amp?


Interested in what the membership recommends for a great sounding solid state integrated amp strictly for two channel audio.  Something that excels at the basics.  Parasound Halo seems well-regarded but the "no frills" modifier is included to try and avoid exactly such "all in one designs"; i.e., DON'T want something with DAC, phono pre, subwoofer control, tone controls, multi-channel output etc., etc..  Budget in the $2500-$3000 range.  Have a Hegel H200 now.  Don't ask why I'm thinking about another.  Not sure I can explain.  New preferred but would definitely consider used (esp., if still in production).  Thanks for the input.  
128x128ghosthouse

Showing 6 responses by ghosthouse

Thanks to all for the quick replies. Responding individually below though probably won’t continue to do so going forward.

@gdhal
I appreciate your mention of the M6si despite the phono pre and DAC. Why I’m shopping "no frills" is I hate paying for something I don’t need. For the same price and assuming similar profit margins, prefer my $ going into something more "focused". Regardless, I’ll see what I can learn about that M6. Thanks again.

@inna
I saw your Redgum note. It’s deleted now. Know the brand but nothing about their products. I’m happy to look at their range even if they aren’t an exact match to what I’m thinking right now. Different vs step-change better can still be fun and newly revealing when listening to a given piece of music.

@jond
Thanks for the LFD nomination, Jon. Came across the brand when I was looking to see if anyone had posted this question before. Don’t know ’em at all. Will investigate. Love window shopping.

@nonoise
Always had a "soft spot" for Marantz though I never owned any of their gear! Appreciate your input.


Thanks again to all for the input.  A lot of interesting looking amps to read up on.  
@simao 
Thanks for the heads up.  That LSA Statement might be the closest I'll ever come to owning a $10K amp!  Unfortunately, the 105 pound weight rules that one out.  Thanks again.
@skoczylas 
Appreciate the reality check.  You're kind of echoing the other half of the internal dialog about this (the Voice of Reason!).  My system is posted.  Needs a bit of updating as I sold off my tube gear.  Speakers are Totem Forests and Silverline Prelude Pluses.  I don't think my spouse would tolerate a third set.  The Preludes are pretty efficient, though.  They might work with an (SET?) type amp.  Something else to consider.  Thanks for your time and input.

Thanks yet again to all who provided input.  Not integrated but skoczylas got me thinking about First Watt.  

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.
@skoczylas mentioned First Watt. As a result of that suggestion and Wolf Garcia’s experience with Silverline Preludes and a Dennis Had SEP amp (I have 2nd gen Preludes), I’m "auditioning" a First Watt F7. It’s day 4 now but just four hours after hooking it up, I was already seriously impressed. So, a special "thanks" to skoczylas.  While not an integrated, it is certainly "no frills" except for providing a ton of great sound.  It is working great with a Freya pre-amp operating in tube mode. I think Nelson Pass is some kind of audio Zen master. The F7 might be the best amp I’ve ever owned.