Check out the SS integrateds for sale here on ag. Use the 'price low to high' function.
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.
I know you said no tube integrated amps due to the need to simplify maintenance. However you want warmth, I suggest (and this is what I have done as well a few years ago) is not make a purchase now but save up until you can afford around $1500. I would then get a Primaluna Prologue Premium (preowned). They are very very reliable, sound great and easy to maintain. On EL34 power tubes they give you 35w of tube warmth with great bass and clarity, is able to drive most speakers. Your klipsch will be very easy and I think would sound amazing with the Primaluna. And then eventually you can tweak the sound to your liking by doing the center 12au7 tubes. It’s a component I feel you won’t easily outgrow and in the Looks Department, how could glowing tubes not be inviting and beautiful. https://www.tonepublications.com/old-school/the-primaluna-prologue-one-integrated/
IMHO and Just my 2 cents as well. cheers John |
Audio Refinement Complete - a little old now, but definitely on warm side, and beautiful aesthetic.
https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/650131494-yba-audio-refinement-complete/ |
thanks @2psyop I like Rogue on paper, haven't heard it yet. Your system(s) is amazing! |
One recommendation: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_779CXA81G/Cambridge-Audio-CXA81-Silver.html. good time to buy the well-known mki. One caveat: Hegel H160 is fast, clean but lean due to its high damping factor. It has more than enough grip / control on woofers, which may not work well with your speakers I think. |
@mike4597 good to hear, I haven’t heard/read any complaints about Rogue @corelli that’s a very good deal, and sells as new so that I could try risk free @blackbag20 Classe checks all the boxes, a bit higher end/higher priced (most Canadians are) I will keep my eye open for it @mesch Onkyo-C-7030 and Simaudio Moon lp 110 v2 @mgw thank you, I will look it up! @boxcarman I actually like the Hegel looks (not initially) I would love to hear them. @yogiboy very true. Yamaha has been well reviewed. That would leave me money for a new cartridge too @mashif and it sells on Crutchfield, easy trial! Lots of good suggestions, thank you!
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I cannot speak about the Rogue Sphinx specifically, but I have owned two Rogue Audio preamps, the RP-1 and the RP-7 is my current preamp. The quality is first-rate, the performance is excellent—I am very pleased with the RP-7, and the company is very responsive to customer questions. I have emailed them several questions, and they have responded promptly and thoroughly. Rogue produces are made in Pennsylvania, and they will actually perform upgrades to many existing customer products to bring them up to late model standards. I have the black version of the RP-7, which I think is quite attractive without appearing exotic. |
@freediver The Rega came up in my search and I have a Rega TT. But I can't get over the look of the Brio @ricmech23 thank you, I am considering Peachtree too, little hesitant about its looks |
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.... |
thanks! My oversight about AVA I have a phono preamp, I don't need it in the integrated, so I should have mentioned it. My budget is around $800. These are all around 12-1400 so I would have to keep saving or get lucky. I am very interested in the Rogue as well in the Primare. I am lukewarm on the Vincent and the NAD but they seem to be good mid-fi amps. The Hegel is at the higher end, price-wise, so I should probably get it out of my head. I will read up about the Rogue! |
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).. |