Primare/ Vincent Adio /NAD /Rogue/ AVA /Hegel...- need a simple and reliable integrated

I use both a Hegel h160 and a small Keces E40.  For my speakers the Hegel is definitely overkill. The biggest difference I hear between these 2 amps are on my Dali speakers.  The voices have a bit more pop and sometimes glare in movie soundtracks where I think sound is processed differently than music, perhaps better resolution and the piano strikes a bit more livliness, adding to the weight and speed of notes whereas the Keces rounds the sharpness, it's smooth, warmer side of neutral by a hair and adds bass heft, enough speed and texture that alot of inexpensive amps do not.  It shows in the damping factor measured from a site I found.  The hegel is the better amp by power, specs, etc., but the little Keces E40 does not fall far behind in SQ in my systems.

Enough so that I may sell the Hegel h160 in the coming weeks as I do not plan on upgrading my speakers at this time.  I wanted mini systems that perform and I now have 2 Keces E40s using decent under a grand dacs.  The 2 systems offer a bit of a different flavor, using Dali and Triangle speakers.  Even if I upgrade my speakers, they will still be small standmounts such as Closer OGY or a few other small ones which the Keces should still drive well.  

Can't say enough good things about the little amp and prefer it over Rega and a few others in its category I have heard but there are alot of decent and reasonably priced amps out there.  The Van Alstine CA/NP amps are getting attention , there's Galion, among some others that should hold value over time.  But if you find a used Keces for cheap, grab one.  Even at retail I think its worth it.  Looking at the power and caps you wouldn't think it could sound this good.  Just stay at or above 4 ohms.  Going below that I think produces too much heat. Hard to drive low sensitivity speakers won't get loud.  But it will drive them within its power band.

FWIW.

Just saw the CA-1 too.  Although the rave reviews, not having pre-outs is an issue, not a large one though. Its getting rave reviews but there's alot out there. I was tempted but the Keces is really good. Even if the CA-1 is better and more powerful as it was stated to sound better than a Exposure amp and someone stated it had better tonality than a hegel, its still opinion and they all play in a similar league, perhaps small differences here and there but that's what some of us pick up.

as to the Keces E40, I bought it from readings a SOundnews review, and I was looking for a small form factor amp. It's built well, sounds great and is sufficient for my needs.  There are two RCA inputs open for a source as well as a mm input (which I do not use) and a usb basic input for desktop uo to CD quality.  It also has variable pre outs which works well enough for me. 

Power Holdings Audio in NJ has them and while Arthur may no longer be the distributor, he can order them. The 1st one I bought from him on sale Black Friday.  He does from time to time sell demo units for around 20% off or so.  These are setup for US/Canada voltage whether 110 or 115 or 120 not sure.  There are overseas distributors/sellers in Europe and the East.  Alot of written reviews.

Measured to put out 61/75 watts 2 channel at 1K Hz but another site measured 34/61 watts 8/4 ohms probably along the lines of 20hz to 20Khz but not specifically stated. Some sites sell it as 50 watts, a few 40 watts.  On my Dali Opticon 1s I usually listen at 10pm to 12:30pm position on the dial. 

Take your time unless you want to jump on the CA-1.  can't go wrong there as to SQ per what others state.  A Hegel can be gotten used for reasonable.  Galion is raising interests but they are new.  There's a bunch of others as well but I can't comment on much more as I don't have any experience with those.  Alot with small speakers.

Hope it helps.  That CA-1 does look sweet though.  Ask if transferable warranty if you do. Still a nice form factor...but no preouts.  I think SVS sells some kind of kit regarding these kind of amps to bettter connect with a sub.

Looking at the CA-1 ad again, look at the history. A second CA-1 he's selling seems odd.