Well you didn’t specify your budget so that would help..Also at least 1 of those hasn’t been made in years & brings a premium on the used market as well as NOT having a PHONO stage(SimAudio i5)..
The Vincent,Hegel H160/H120 & Primare DO NOT have PHONO Stages,the A.V.A.is a PREAMP ONLY and the NAD is Class D which I would think might not have ANY warmth at all with Klipsch speakers...
Of all the I/A’s you listed,the Rogue Sphinx V2 looks like it would be the best choice even though it has tubes in the pre amp stage they are low level & will give many thousands of hours use without needing any care or replacement..It has a good PHONO stage that will use either MM or MC cartridges,excellent headphone circuit & the 12AU7 tubes can add some nice warmth to those Klipsch speakers..Sounds like a winner to me!
Primare/ Vincent Adio /NAD /Rogue/ AVA /Hegel...- need a simple and reliable integrated
I came up with this list based on price and functions but all I know is that they are (mostly) boutique brands, cherished by audiophiles. I have heard NAD and Vincent and none of the rest.
- Vincent SV-500
- Primare I2*
- Rogue Sphinx v2
- Audio by Van Alstine Vision SLR
- Hegel H160/ H120
- NAD C368
- Simaudio Moon I-5
I don't stream, I have a turntable and CD player. I am good with 50Watts per channel, and I would like to avoid tubes for no-fuss maintenance. I have Klipsch RP8000F speakers. I prefer sound on the warm side, I mostly listen to 60s and 70s rock and some soul/jazz/blues. I have decent hearing, I enjoy a nice soundstage but I nothing as critical and analytical as some of you/the typical audiophile.
I am a bit shallow, looks are important :) My budget would allow me to buy one of these used 5-10 years old (stretched... price is key, I would prefer a cheaper model with less functions)
If you own or have heard any of them and can tell me what the best choice/value is based on sound and reliability, that would be a great help.
Showing 5 responses by freediver
You should SERIOUSLY go over to usaudiomart.com & search for Rega Brio..There is an almost new,Authorized Dealer Demo for $600.00 from Hudson Valley HiFi that is a stone cold bargain..It's been there a while so there is a chance it was sold & the add not updated but if it hasn't,you can spend a LOT more $ & not get as good an amp... 845-219-1730 call or text, mike@hudsonvalleyhifi.com.... |
Here is where my $ would go.. |
For the last few months I have been running Harbeth M30.2XD's($6000.00 MSRP) with a SimAudio 240i integrated amp...I would say both are world class & the 240i, as close to end game as you could ever get for the small asking price...I've owned Sugden A21a integrated & it might be a tiny bit sweeter sounding but no way you will ever find one at your budget..The new Musical Fidelity A1 can be found in your budget range & I'll bet it sounds amazing... |
