A decent integrated amp under 2K ...


I'm looking for an INTEGRATED AMP. My speakers are Altec 620A (100 db efficiency) and my listening room is 14 x 21. I mainly listen to digital files from my DAC (Metrum) but sometimes I feel less lazy and put on a vinyl on my Garrard. I don't need a phono stage, I use the one from another integrated amplifier (Spendor D40). Here's my shortlist:

1) Belles Aria Integrated (slightly powerful for my needs)

2) Croft phono integrated (since I don't need a phono stage, I think it's a shame to burn tubes for nothing)

3) Rogue Sphinx V3 (too powerful for my needs)

FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS: I can live with tubes but only in the PREAMP section and I try to avoid Class A due to the heat. I'm open to Class D (proof: the Rogue) but the choice is limited and these devices come with a bunch of stuff I don't need. I rather spend my $ where it will make a difference.

regards

128x128alaindexe

A bit more follow up; - - - - Getting back to my recommendation of BLACK ICE AUDIO,  in as much as you have such enormously efficient speakers, You could save a little more money and go with the F11 integrated amp. Same marvelous sonics as the F22 and F35, same outstanding build but quite a bit less money than the F22. The power band would be perfect for your system.

On another note:  The CAYIN which I saw mentioned, is a very excellent performing amplifier. The latest version of the A88T is also beautifully built but the price is definitely out if your range. I wouldn't recommend a used one. Furthermore I would think carefully before going to a China based company. With the world situation as it is today. if you ever had a failure issue, I can't imagine what you would have to go through.  BLACK ICE AUDIO is the new parent of Jolida Don't get them confused however. With the integration of Jim Fozgate's designs, the new BLACK ICE amplifiers are so much better than the best Jolida ever offered, - - Well, there is simply no comparison. 

A close friend of mine just took delivery on an F22 with EL34's. Right out of the box, he is totally blown away by the reproduction. That's about all I can say.

I had the croft and it is excellent but your speakers so sensitive I would look at a leben cs300 SH which is slightly sweeter than the croft. 

@axpert @hilde45 @elliottbnewcombjr @bigkidz @richdirector

I specified that I did not want tubes in the output stage and I have my reasons for doing so. BTW I’ve had a few tube amps when I was young: Harman Kardon Citation II, Leak (TL 12), Quad II, Dynaco St-70 ... Each one sounded absolutely fabulous on my Altec VOT, which is by far the best speaker I’ve own ... I remember that these amps gave off a LOT of heat and required REGULAR maintenance ... I also had to change tubes and, in the 1980s, you had to find them first, which was not easy and could be expensive ... A matched pair of KT-88s cost $ 300 back then ($ 600 today) ... What I’m trying to say is that I know what a good tube amp sounds like and if I made the choice not to have one, I have my reasons. Thank you for respecting it!

@oksailor : When I bought my Altec 620A, they were connected to a 200 watts Mcintosh amp that had powered them when they were in a recording studio. I managed to knock down walls, but in terms of subtlety, I was not impressed - and never was for that matter - with this or any other SS Mcintosh amps ... beyond their legendary build quality and reliability , I really don’t understand what attracts people ... the only Mcintosh amps I would consider are the old vintage tube devices ... these sounded really good but as soon as Mcintosh went SS it was a lot less interesting...

@boomerbillone : in my experience amps have a sweet spot in terms of output volume ... some amps that I found mediocre at low volume turned out to be better at high volume and vice versa ... so it’s best not to have a powerful amp for nothing ... also, a powerful amp gives off more heat than a less powerful one (unless the less powerful is a class A) ... and the more an amp heats up, the faster its components deteriorate ... all this to say that I know my needs in terms of power ... my current amp is 34 watts per chanel and it’s more than enough for my needs ...