2. amps-preamps
  3. 168918-116061

One box do it all

Enough of separates. Too many boxes, too many cables, don't care for those anymore.

I am willing to get a simple box that will do for me:
- AMP driving Dynaudio special forty, at least 100W
- Pre Amp for digital and analog
- Needs to have phono input as I still do some 20% listening on those, possibly MC but can live with MM
- Streaming, has to be Roon Ready as most of the time I do Roon or Roon on top of Qobuz
- Budget 2500, can't really stretch it much more than that

Seems like Cambridge EVO 150 and Arcam SA30 fit the bill but I will not get a chance to listen to those comparatively and the reviews (the "honest" ones that I could find) are kind of OKish but several complaints on Arcam stability and not so convincing on Cambridge SQ. NAD C388 also come to mind but doesn't seem to have much of a reputation

Anyone here has had personal experience with those ?

Any alternative that I should consider ?

Thanks a lot for reading so far,

Mark.
marklings

Showing 4 responses by marklings

marklings OP
61 posts
 
ozzy, do you have any useful suggestion ? 
PS Audio sprout is 100 W on 4 ohms and only 50 on 8, so it will not do.
Anyone actually heard / used any of the above ?
marklings OP
61 posts
 
All,
Why so many inputs ! Thanks a lot really ! Lots of homework for me.
Seems like within my budget I’ll end up with 2 boxes, OK, better than 4 or 5.

Nad 658 + power amp looks like a nice option, also M10.

Parasound Integrated 200 looks absolutely great but is not distributed here where I am (Italy)

I am intrigued by the NuPrime and I see they have also an Omnia A300 that seem more suited to my needs. Just one line input and no Phono though...

Lyngdorf would have been my first choice but list price here is around 6KEuro for the  TDAI3400, like 7K$. Didn't see any used but if they come up they will go for around 5, way beyond my budget.  TDAI 1120 is well within my budget but I am worried it will be under powered for my Special 40.

No thoughts on the CA EVO anyone ?

Thanks again,

Mark
marklings OP
61 posts
 
2) 100W is actually only a marginal increase in volume from 40/50W

Yeah I know, been wondering about that. What worries me is not volume but potential distortion.
marklings OP
61 posts
 
Guys,
So many suggestions, I am overwhelmed ! 

You are having me all geared up on the Lyngdorf; it would have been my first choice if not for the price.

Now comes a suggestion for the  Lyngdorf 2170, thank you for that, was not aware about that. Seems very promising.

They only rate power over 4 Ohms (why on earth ???) at 170W.  to compare apples with apples what would that rate on 8 Ohms ? 85 ? 100 ? In any case being high current it should be able to drive my Special Forty, shouldn't it ? Any advice here ?

They also have an optional Phono MM board. I can get a gently used one for 2kish + the board I would be in the 2,5 K ballpark, nice !

No streaming capability there but I can use an old Squeezebox I have and connect thru coaxial SPDIF, should come out clean, or use the USB input from a NUC I have nearby where i run the Roon core. Suggestions anyone ?

Thanks again, this has been exceedingly informative.

Mark.
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