@213runnin. Finding a quality preamp for a good price is going to be the tricky part.
Move From AVR to Integrated?
I know this topic gets thrown around a lot, but I recently bought a pair of Ascend Acoustic Sierra 1s I love and a Hsu VTF2 MK5 subwoofer. Right now, I'm using a Denon AVR-X2600H to power them.
I hear a lot of chatter that I'm not getting the most out of my speakers using the AVR. The drawback is my room is not treated, and I like having the bass management.
It seems difficult to find an integrated with 100wpc+, ability to stream things like Tidal, that also has ability to at least EQ the low bass, and have the ability to connect to digital sources like a PS4/5. I do like the idea of a better built power source, and I will never go past 2.1 or 2.2. Most of what I do is music and TV.
Any suggestions? Ideally I'd like to stay under 1200.
I hear a lot of chatter that I'm not getting the most out of my speakers using the AVR. The drawback is my room is not treated, and I like having the bass management.
It seems difficult to find an integrated with 100wpc+, ability to stream things like Tidal, that also has ability to at least EQ the low bass, and have the ability to connect to digital sources like a PS4/5. I do like the idea of a better built power source, and I will never go past 2.1 or 2.2. Most of what I do is music and TV.
Any suggestions? Ideally I'd like to stay under 1200.
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Check out the now discontinued Arcam SR 250. MSRP was $3600 but Music Direct has it listed for $1499 (trying to clear out stock i would assume). https://www.musicdirect.com/receiver/Arcam-SR250-Stereo-AV-Receiver-2?gclid=Cj0KCQiA0MD_BRCTARIsADXo... |
The Arcam SR 250 is a 2.1 oddity of sorts. You can call it an integrated with HMDI benefits or a 2.1 channel AVR, so it most likely won't win over too many purists around here. I have a similar situation as you. I wanted to move away from an AVR and multi-channel but I am still using this with my TV in the main family room. The Arcam is musical and was a huge improvement over my Marantz AVR with an external amp. It has Dirac room correction and bass management which is miles ahead of any Audessy product I have used. Im using it with my Revel F208 towers and don't feel its underpowered. You still get HDMI switching and it has a built in DAC which I can't say much about as I use an external DAC and streamer for a digital source. At $1499 NIB its a good deal that will be hard to beat IMO. The used Parasound Hint 6 integrated would be my second choice but it will probably cost you more used than the Arcam. |
@guy-incognito That is definitely a sweet deal/set up. I know watts are not made equal, but was hoping to have a bit more power. That said, 90 vs 110 isn’t a big deal. With the separate route I could have 2x200 and still come in under the cost of the Arcam. Again tradeoff is modular ability vs integration. A niche product but definitely something designed for my kind of use. I’m weighing options for sure. |
Read some reviews on the Arcam if you have any interest. That 90 watt rating is conservative. There is a bench test with measurements that confirms this (that i couldn't easily find right now). My Revel F208 towers don't seem underpowered so I am sure this would easily drive your bookshelves. This route would not be a loss in power compared to your AVR regardless of how the specs are interpreted. This would also be a step up overall from the Parasound classic line in my mind. I am a big fan of the parasound halo stuff though, like a P6/A23+ combo but now you are back up around $3200 new or $2200ish used. |
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