Marantz pm 8005 now 8006 is a very good sounding amp for $1000-1100 new, built in Japan Reference factory with 3 year warranty, good current, runs multiple speakers. I have enjoyed one for 5 years. For $2200, Belles Aria is excellent, neutral, clear, well made in US with 5 year warranty. On my list as a step up. Listened last 3 days to new Rogue Sphinx v3 at friend's and impressed for $1800 New. Big improvement from v1 which I thought was bright sounding.
SS Budget "Tone" Integrated Amplifiers
In your experience, what are some good, inexpensive solid state integrated amps that give good tone / density? Is there such a thing? I'm done with tubes (for now) and spending $$$ chasing unicorns instead of listening to music. But I like instruments to sound like they should and not have poor recordings (which IMO are most) ruthlessly revealed. I can think of Sugden but it's all but Covid unobtainium right now. What else?
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@mermaid_smiles - So, all I know is that you have a small room. Don't know your budget or what you like to listen to. I had the Rega set up in a 15 x 10 x 8 1/2 room. It played plenty loud without coaxing the volume control much. I have recommended speakers mostly in the $1K range because I am in my 60's and don't have too many claims on the few extra bucks I have. Speakers that I thought matched well with the Rega Brio ... Omega Super Monitor 7 MKII - https://omegaloudspeakers.com/collections/monitor-speakers/products/super-7-monitor-speaker?variant=... Golden Ear Technologies BRX Monitors - I would think that GET's AON2 or AON3 would work out well https://www.crutchfield.com/S-U2GuYE7A0hR/p_317BRX/GoldenEar-BRX.html?XVINQ=GLX&awkw=12431007469... Zu Audio Dirty Weekend - Crazy good and enjoyable. 2 buts - there is a wait for them (unless you find a pair used) and they are floor standers and may be too big for your room. https://www.zuaudio.com/loudspeakers/omen-dirty-weekend-ii There is also a pair of Opera Mezza listed here that would do very nicely with the Rega. https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisaa812-opera-loudspeakers-mezza-with-mit-cable-package-monitors Best, Rich |
Not certain that a budget for a new amp @ $1000 level gets you off the merry go-round for any appreciable length of time. With that said ... amps that I own or have owned that I have liked and have worked for me. I am a sucker for vocals and acoustic music and 60s/ 70s rock and pre 2000 country and opera. $1500 Rogue Sphinv v3 @ 1600 - very good phono $1000 Rega Brio @ 1100 - good phono - needs careful speaker matching Outlaw RR2160 @ 1000 - good phono - copper wire interfaces & cables work best $500 NAD 316EEE - surprising for the money Rich |
I’ve demo’d the Exposure 2010s2, didn’t care for it. I have a Rega Io now and I preferred the Io to it, ditto an Arcam A28.Hi Greg, I’m in the exact same situation as you... eyeing those lower end Rega amps (IO, Brio) for my small room, so I’m interested in opinions. Could you please share what leaves you dissatisfied with the IO, and what are the strengths of that amp? What speakers are you using with it? Any dealbreaker flaws you’ve detected, or is it just a general urge to upgrade to something better? |
BTW, I currently own the well regarded, inexpensive, Audio Refinement Complete Integrated Amp, as well as the Rega Elicit-R. The Audio Refinement is a nice little amp for the price. But the Rega Elicit-R is in a different class. It has much more control, better bottom end and more refinement. It's still musical, just much more exciting than the Audio Refinement. And it should be. It's 3X more expensive. |
There are lots of amps new and used to chose from. I can't overstate what I've posted before....The amp and speakers must have synergy. Great amps and some great speakers may sound great or lousy together. I have experienced that more than once. BTW...you didn't mention which speakers you would be using with the amp. I once used a NAD integrated with top of the line Klipsch speakers. Not impressed. But, that same amp with PSB speakers was a whole new world. Pairing the two is the whole game. |
@greg7 - In your $1000 - $2000 price range, I really like the Rega Elicit-R. I've owned integrated amps from Musical Fidelity, Anthem, Arcam, Plinius, Bryston, Parasound, and several others, and I prefer the Rega sound. The Elicit-R has great bottom end and is non-fatiguing in my system. I consider it to be a very musical choice. I also use the built-in phono stage for my turntable and find it to be very good for the price. They seem to sell for about $1500 on the used market, maybe a little more today. That's what I paid for mine 2 years ago. |
How about used? A killer integrated amp is the JVC X - 1 from the 90's! The amp section uses JVC's "Super A" circuit with the same tonal qualities as a pure Class A design! Without the drawbacks of excessive heat and current draw! I have one in my collection. I'm surprised that other 'philes haven't picked up on these JVCs! They certainly rival anything from Pass for SQ! |
