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Opinions on best integrated under 10k?

Father Christmas has been early and left me a very sizable bonus check!
So time to spend it before the other half can....

Looking at building another system but thinking of just a very high power integrated amp.
Wish list...
200w or more.
Balanced inputs
Digital inputs
Phono inputs

A quick look shows items like McIntosh ma7900 and Mark levinson ml585 which both seem to fulfill all or the majority of my wants.
Sure there are others.
So thoughts and any current or previous owners of suitable candidates please chime in
Thank you in advance
uberwaltz

Showing 4 responses by jjue

jjue
104 posts
 

I think the attached Agon thread will give you a pretty comprehensive list of the top-notched integrated amplifiers. Some of the amplifiers in that thread may be above your price range though.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/upgrading-form-pass-integrated-amplifier-to-a-better-one

jjue
104 posts
 
@uberwaltz 

Not really if you are open to used units. $10k is a pretty generous budget for used units. The listening experience from these ‘elite’ integrated is in a totally different league is all I can say. The challenge is not many of them show up on the used market very often.

If you only want to buy new then yes, many of them are way above your budget.
jjue
104 posts
 
I used to own Hegel H200 and heard both H300 and H360 at audio shows and dealers. Decent amp for the price. Didn’t try the onboard DAC but I used to own a Hegel HD25 DAC and loved the sound. For the prices I see on Agon now, I think it’s a no brainer decision. But that’s just me...
jjue
104 posts
 
@uberwaltz

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Hegel H300 or H360 for the prices you see on Agon now. The reviews on TAS and other magazines match my impression. But keep in mind that Hegel is still not Gryphon, Dartzeel or Vitus. That’s an honest feedback based on my personal ownership and audition experience of these brands.   
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