Solid State Integrated Amp Purchase Options and Online/Audition Strategy

Hello,

In the last few years I have returned to the world of audio and I am simply enjoying the music, clarity, dynamics and detailed play back in my life. I do have a dedicated/lightly treated (GIK)/shared listening room measuring 13’W x 23’L x 8’H. I say “shared” in that there is a running treadmill and cycling station towards the back of the room and behind my listening position. Currently, I am 100% streaming (Roon/Qobuz) and I am currently in the process investigating integrated amplifier options to be paired with my existing Denafrips Pontus DAC/Bluesound Node2i source and Rel 7Ti sub/Buchardt S400 speakers driven by a Schiit Vidar/Saga+ amp/preamp. If you haven’t guessed, it should also be noted that I live in a location that is hours from the closest reputable audio retailer so all of my purchases have come (and probably will continue to come) internet/dealer direct.

My budget for the SS integrated is around $4000~ $6000 and this may currently outclass my current source and speakers but I think they have the ability to scale (for now) with what could be “my” end game amplifier purchase. I am not very good with the typical audio descriptions but I would consider my current system on the warm side with the terrible rolled off a bit but still some what revealing. The music presentation is definitely behind the speakers and I prefer this to a more forward presentation. The speaker sensitivity are at 88db and are not as good as I’d like them to be at lower listening levels (my typical listening levels are 65~75db).

One concern I have is an in home audition. Due to location, I don’t have luxury of a local retailer relationship and it seems unreasonable to consider ordering up three of my top contenders for the ultimate amp home comparison knowing that two or all are going back to where they came from. Maybe this is only my hang up but I do not want to unnecessarily exercise the online retailers in this way if I do not have to. Is there any insight to offer here? Maybe I need to just get over it and start evaluation… that would be okay to hear as well.

Anyway, here is a list I have developed based on internet reviews, online purchasing options etc. I have heard some online demos but that means very little to me. I need to be able to listen to what ever I plan to purchase with my gear and in my room.

A not very expansive but short list of integrated considerations…

• Luxman L-505uX or Luxman L-507uX – Neutral, resolution, smooth top end, love the appearance, tone controls and loudness button. Phono stage is not needed with current setup
• Hegel 190 or Hegel 390 – Neutral, dynamics, control, simple. Don’t really need a DAC on board
• Other integrated considerations?

Thanks for any input, guidance on or corrections to my approach and listed integrated options. Happy to add/fill in any key pieces of information that I may have left out.

-gp