2. amps-preamps
  3. 173846-151014

Suggestions for an integrated upgrade please

Hello everyone,

I am looking to upgrade my integrated here is my system

FLAC on mac book pro — Singxer Su6—Lampizator level4+ Gen5—jolida jd1000a

with gold lions preamp tubes and Mullard tubes— NHT 3.3 speakers

Before the Jolida I had an Hegel H100.

I like the midrange of the Jolida, it has a nice presence, nice timbres but the problem is when raise the volume, I don’t go deeper inside the music, it just gets louder but the sound doesn’t get bigger, soundstage is small. Also there’s no air with this amp. Bass is very weak.

 

The Hegel was technically nicer but I could never emotionally with the music on this amp. It just sounded fake.

 

I listen to 65-85dbs level, my room is small, 12’x18’

 

I want to stay with an integrated as my wife wont allow multiple components ans cables in the room

 

The NHT 3.3 are rates 87db @ 6ohm

 

I listened to a Kora 400, which sounded amazing but at 12k usd it is out my budget

 

It is hard to organize listening session because of covid

so I am looking for suggestions to narrow down the numbers of sessions needed.

 

I don’t mind if it is tube or transistor as long as it has beautiful midrange, timbres, deep soundstage and air.

 

budget is 3 to 5K usd, I don’t mind buying used or new.

 

any suggestions are welcome!

 

thanks

 

 

 

 

maurice89
scotthiga
2 posts
 

I just bought a Technics SU-G700. Superb sonics with a kind of retro vu meters look. It really brought out a lot crisp detail that I had not previously heard. I'm running Zu Audio Omen MK.I with the Technics SU-G700. You may want to read the reviews for yourself. I would not have considered Technics until very recently, but am ecstatic with its performance. 

thuhaile
105 posts
 

Ayon Tritons 3

jimijack's avatar
jimijack
8 posts
 

You need big power to drive those speakers Think High current 150 peak current and up.I don’t find those speakers to be bright or to sound hot in the highs......

jonwatches1
125 posts
 

+1 @panzrwagn

All of his suggestions can also easily be serviced if there is ever an issue

One idea could be a new Benchmark AHB2 + Benchmark DAC3 HGC - form factor would be same size as one integrated amp, and you hit both amplification and DAC in one go - fits your budget & simplifies your chain. I actually would be pretty curious about those

If you are looking at used McIntosh, I’ve worked with the folks at Audio Classics several times and the experience was good

BTW, I run Roon/Tidal off my MacBook Pro - I enjoy it just fine and very convenient

Good luck! Fun decision - let us know what you chose, when the new piece has arrived

ballhog
38 posts
 

The Qualiton a50i is an excellent sounding integrated, it retails for $8200 but I think you could bargain a little. Class A 50wpc tube amp.

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