Integrated Amp Shopping Decisions


Looking to replace my 1987 NAD 1240 preamp and Adcom 535ll. They have served me well for years but are now both very long in the tooth and probably time for caps but not interested in investing as it would be a poor investment to update them. So I am looking to go integrated. Have a Technics 1210GR and Music Hall 7 so vinyl is a given. Also need USB for my Dead flac files.  So my needs are decent MM phone preamp, USB and can run either RCA or coax out from my Rotel Tribute CD.   Don't really need Bluetooth. Preferable to have tone controls. I am looking at a new speaker purchase which may likely be Wharfedale Lintons or Evos.  Price point around $1800 max.

So, I have a list of possibles.  Cambridge CXA81 but no tone controls or phonestage so not sure about this one, Parasound HINT6 preowned puts me $1800 (Its got the phono and DAC, ) Bel Canto C5i gives me phono and DAC (if I can find preowned) Rogue Sphinx (plus add Schitt Mani DAC) Musical Fidelity M5si (preowned), Yamaha S801 gets good reviews but lower price scares me.  Any contenders I am missing?  Thoughts?

vinyljones1

@2psyop  After much looking and reading, the MF M3si looks like a top contender. It gets high marks for the phono stage and has USB and some nice reviews. No tone controls though.  The Hint 6 is also still a contender as is the Denon 1600 or 1700NE. They have what I am looking for. Had a Denon cassette deck back when I bought my NAD (1987) and it ran for years. Checked out the Belles Aria but found very little about it. Even their own website has no specs. Seems very strange to me. No write ups to speak of either. Seems like a ghost product so I think I'll scratch that one.

If a Musical Fidelity M6si is of interest, let me know. All original everything. 

I appreciate all the great responses. Actually considering the Denon 1600NE as it has what I need. The Belles sounds interesting but I as a former self employed business owner, I can't for the life of me understand why the maker doesn't even bother to show any photos except for front of unit nor any specs etc.  Is there no pride here? Very little on the web about a product that's been around quite awhile. Something doesn't seem right. Just on that fat I have a hard time even considering it.

Honestly, you might be better off getting the Parasound NewClassic 200 integrated instead.  Its price new is <50% of the Hint 6, and has a very similar feature set.  Put the $ saved into your speakers and you'll likely come out ahead in SQ.