Sub $2,000 Integrated Amp Recommendations

Chris, this describes my experience with the new A1 as well. It just makes me want to keep listening. It was a huge step up for me from Audiolab 6000a in terms of sound quality. I just wish the gain wasn't so high on the A1, even in "direct" mode. My speakers are Proac Tablette 10 signature, not highly efficient but no problem for the A1. 

Well, I am late to respond but I congratulate you on your decision. I was thinking that, with your budget, the A1 would be a great SS choice for your speakers. 

thanks @chrisroot76 for the update, this is a very useful thread!

Full disclosure, I am selling this unit over on USAM but the Simaudio Moon ACE is worth considering.  Integrated 50 wpc with DAC and Streamer (including Apple Airplay) and MIND 2 Sim app.  It worked great but I wanted to switch out to Sim separates.  Absolute Sound has a review.

Just and update on my decision. I compared the Music Fidelity A1, Arcam a25, and the HiFi Rose 280 recently to pair with my Klipsch Forte IVs. Rose was the most detailed, largest sound stage, but sounded the most etched and the bass didn't show up until upper 80s-90 db. The sub out on the amp was the weakest of the bunch. The sound was engaging and the amp is fast and cool looking in person, but the amp got fatiguing with my speakers. It does have a really nice phono stage.

The Arcam had a smooth overall sound and much less fatiguing than the Rose. Really good bass control and probably gripped the Forte's woofers the best. Phono stage was average. The Arcam played well at all volumes and has nice dynamics. My only complaint was that the mids felt a little tame and overall sound could feel safe or neutral with maybe more emphasis in the bass and upper treble when the amp turned up to louder levels. 

The Music Fidelity A1 didn't have the same detail as the rose and arcam, but what it had that the other two amps didn't was weight and thickness to the sound that won me over pretty quickly. I never felt like I couldn't hear into the music and pick out details, but that the amp doesn't favor detail like the Rose did to my ears and the arcam to a lesser extent. The A1 sounded the most holistic and made me want to listen for longer periods of time and was just a more engaging experience. The amp doesn't really change its characteristics either as you turn the amp up or down, which i really like about it. The phono stage also is excellent. Not as quiet as the Rose, but close and sounds fantastic with my Mobile Fidelity Master Tracker MM cartridge. The Forte's midrange and bass sound fantastic with this amp and the horned tweeter never gets harsh. The speed of the amp is great too. I was skeptical but intrigued by all the glowing reviews of this unit, but I highly recommend it. I personally prefer the weight warmth this amp gives any music you play through it. If you're into that sound, its a bargain of an amp especially if you get an open box deal at $1,400. If you have efficient speakers that can be bright on the high end, then I think this is a great option. If you're worried about the heat, I don't think its that bad for a class A amp. Just turn the amp up loud and it won't have to dissipate as much heat through the heat sink. :) 

Check out a pre-owned Parasound Halo Hint it has everything you could want and should be obtainable for under 2k.

Lyngdorf 1120 or 2170 if can get for that price. Room correction on Lyngdorf is world class and worth its weight in gold IME. 

Research Rogue Sphinx 

Maybe used Audio Alchemy Preamp+Amp separates.  Slightly above your price range but includes a DAC.  Positive reviews.

Hi,

Try the current Rotel A14. Lots of features. Great sound

Pre-owned Yamaha A-S2100. Easily competes with $7K^ worth of separates. Hard to do better for <$2K and easy to do a lot worse. 

Best Bet....Audiophile Integrated...Mint pre-owned .BELLES ARIA....$1600 Look it up. Very Musical with bass punch...beautiful natural vocals and brilliant highs...never harsh.

Read about the Jungson JA88D class A integrated on Troels Gravesen website.  It is at the bottom of his lead page of former equipment.  I own it and do not think of changing.

http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/JungSon.htm

Good advice @mm1tt77. I really love the horn sound and plan on being with the Fortes for awhile. I initially got my system to get into vinyl, but I have also been streaming more when I'm not sitting down listening. Currently I've been just using the WiiM to stream Apple Music and the internal DAC on the Denon. Music on the turntable sounds much better in comparison, but looking to improve my streaming situation as well. So depending which way I go with the integrated amp (e.g. Music Fidelity A1), I may need to pick up an external DAC. 

@chrisroot76  you have gotten some great advice and options.  
 

Something to consider is how long you are going be paired up with your speakers or is the integrated going to be paired up with your current speakers.  They are high efficiency, easily driven.  If this is your forever speaker or this speaker family is where you see yourself living, that should play into your decision on the integrated.  You won’t need to chase power but be mindful of lower power, high quality wattage.  If you aren’t married to this speaker genre and your next upgrade are speakers, you’ll want an integrated that is more versatile in the speakers it can drive. 
 

Used as mentioned is the way to go.  The advice to look above your budget and “troll” the used market is great advice.  Music Fidelity makes really, really solid integrated amps that punch above their weight class, Parasound is another, NAD, Hegel if one fits your budget.  If you want Tube Flavor Rogue or Primaluna.  If you have your front end settled, streamer, DAC, vinyl set up, focus on the Pre / Amp set up, don’t worry about other bells and whistles.  You might also consider buying an amp first, like a Parasound A21+, then save a bit and buy a pre.  Schmitt gets a lot of love, you might look at their Hybrid, Tune / Solid state pre and one of their amps, in your budget new, never heard their gear, seem to be a bit polarizing, everyone seems to agree bang for the buck is great.  Debate is around how much they truely bunch above their weight class.  
 

Above your budget by a bit but if you saw a used Coda CSiB, that is maybe one of the best values on the used market.  A Krell 300i would also be a home run, again, both a little more than a bit over your budget.

Good Luck!  

I had the price in the topic headline, but my budget is $2,000.

Tubes, look at Decware, Quicksilver, Line Magnetic

Really need to know what your budget is and if you’re looking for new or used. 

I have a Rotel in one of my systems and it does everything quite well.  I originally bought it as a stop-gap unit before I got a more elaborate model, but I have decided to keep it since it's so good.  

Lots of great recommendations here! I had not heard of the CHoco EMEI Integrated Amp. Overall sound I gravitate to is lots of dynamics, lots of tight bottom end, and an amp that will bring out the best in the Forte midrange. I'm not into neutral sounding amps and I do have to be careful not to add too much high end with the fortes but I do want more airiness than what i am getting with the Denon. I've heard more detail and airiness and separation as I've upgraded to the Mofi phono preamp and the MasterTracker cart on my turntable.  

that’s it for stuff slightly above your budget that was fun to learn about, you have a lot of choices, best of luck deciding.

I might take a hard look at this Rotel, NEW Open Box

I never heard a Peachtree, anybody?????

A real beauty

Primaluna, my friend loves his.

new $2,800. this $2,000.

Hegel looks interesting

Little Luxman, tube integrated, NEW, 10 wpc

I have this one in my office system, sounds terrific, you need efficient speakers.

Some Japanese items, like my JVC TT81 are 100v. You need a decent quality simple 120/100 transformer (i.e. nothing fancy or pricey needed, just avoid junk)

Some good choices on your list. I had the M3si briefly and liked it, but it did not enough power for my speakers. Take a look at NAD as well.

You might want to aim higher and troll the used market for a while, some great deals to be had on lightly used equipment.

JBL, New

Not bad options you have, OP. I would take a higher-end, used approach. The Music Room is an excellent resource, highly regarded vendor. For instance:

Parasound, feature laden

Arcam says 200 wpc

I always recommend you search slightly above your budget, to know what is available if you stretch your budget some before deciding

hifishark, ’integrated amplifier’ max $2500,

Anyone know about Devaliet? this very unique piece popped up

review of the 120

https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/570-devialet-120-integrated-amplifier-dac

manual of the 140 (one for sale is 120 model) shows how the inputs can be configured for various devices.

Look for these two units and, with those speakers you will experience a whole new level of listening.

-    CHoco EMEI Integrated Amp

-    Denafrips Areis DAC

Get them used and the cost will be at your price point. I have the Pontus and a year ago used a REGA Aethos amp.  Bought the Choco amp and it bested the REGA.(in MY system).

I recently purchased a Pass Labs INT-25 so my Choco will be up for sale soon.

Lawrence From MI

Rega Elex at $1875.

How about a used Primaluna.  Maybe a Dialogue would be at that price range and you get the nice sound of tubes that aren’t too syrupy.  

Gato!! 

Gato!! 

I'd go for that musical fidelity A1...that's one great amp, and class A. It should have no issue driving klipsch. There's a few very good reviews on YouTube, audiophiliac and the British audiophile. 

I like your list, I would add Parasound that I tried and found it the furthest from warm, if that's what you prefer.

What specific improvements are you looking for and what sound characteristics are most important to you?  Also, what’s your budget and are you looking for new or used?