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 2 responses by mwinkc

+1 on Parasound NewClassic 200 integrated. 
I sold my separates and got this last Spring and don't miss them one bit.
Great SQ... clean, musical and nicely resolved output with power for most speakers out there.
The phono stage holds it's own against my previous, Project Tube Box S2.
Only thing missing is a streamer...I'm using a Node 2i connected to the DAC in the Parasound via coaxial cable.
110 Watts @ 8 or 4 Ohms
Class D amplification by Pascal
Burr-Brown 192kHz-24 bit DAC from the Halo P 5
USB, Optical and Coax digital audio inputs
4 Analog audio inputs
Phono input for MM or MC cartridges
Pure analog signal path from input to output
Analog bass management w/ variable 20-140Hz high pass crossover
Subwoofer On/Off & level by remote control
80Hz low pass subwoofer output
Full range mono output can be used for subwoofer or mono listening area
Variable and fixed stereo preamp outputs
Bypass input for surround sound or music streamer integration
Default turn on volume memory
Favorite volume memory with remote control button
Input level matching (source volume offset)
Bass, treble and balance adjustments by remote control
Front panel LCD display with dimming
Rename inputs to match connected source
Front panel Aux input with12dB of additional gain
Dedicated headphone amplifier
Back-lit remote control with discrete buttons
12V trigger output
Rear panel IR input
0.5w standby power consumption meets Energy Star & EU specs
1U rack mount kit available separately (Model RMK11)

Parasound NewClassic 200 integrated $1195
Bluesound Node $545

The Hint 6 comes in closer to $3000, offering balanced inputs, A/AB amplification courtesy of John Curl, slightly improved DAC, 160 wpc @ 8 ohms and 240 wpc @ 4 ohms. Still needs a streamer. 


I’ve never heard one, but PS Audio makes an integrated with a DAC & Streamer for $2999.
It’s called the Stellar Strata.
https://www.psaudio.com/products/stellar-strata/
100wpc @ 8 ohms, digital, analog & balanced inputs...
I saw a used one go for $2400, but it’s only been out for about a year, so there aren’t many used ones out there yet.
They have a trade-in program that may help get the final price under $2500.