+1 to many suggestions for Ayre EX-8 v2. I have this with the streamer/dac cards installed and it is ~24lb one-box solution that does streaming, DAC, preamp, and amp. It sounds fantastic with my Sonus Faber speakers.
Integrated amp: Component weight
I'm an older guy with a bad back looking to spend $5-10K on an integrated amp. Before I get into functionality, connectivity, or even sound quality, my threshold considerations are price, power, and weight. My 86dB-sensitivity Harbeths do best with the equivalent of a 200-300wpc solid-state unit, I need to drive a variety of analog & digital sources, hope to keep weight under 40lbs, and want to stay away from "classic" Class D designs. Been there, done that, D simply didn't work in my system.
My question: Does anybody know of any published listing of amplifiers that compares products by weight or size?
So far, I've only found a few 15-35lb models that meet this initial filter, from sellers like Ayre, Devialet, & Bryston, and, surprisingly, even ARC. However, there are connectivity & functionality issues that make these otherwise-terrific options a poor fit.
Any suggestions?
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@deone Yes, the EX-8 V2 is a monster, beautifully and innovatively designed, with boatloads of connectivity. And it’s incredibly light for a 300wpc Class AB amp, thanks to the late Charlie Hansen’s "diamond" output-stage topology. I’m very impressed & agree with you 100%. The EX-8 would have easily addressed all my requirements and even includes a terrific DAC that is heads & shoulders above any integrated DAC I've seen in a $10-15K integrated -- and probably most $2-3K standalone DACs. (I can't speak to that from first-hand experience, though.) Unfortunately, there are non-technical reasons I didn’t go for it from Day One, which I’m not at liberty to discuss here. So I’m not considering an Ayre purchase just this second, despite the fact that I’d love to have one inhouse. If a few things resolve at some point, however, I'm sure that I'd be happy for a long time with an EX-8.
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Hello @cundare2 ! You have some nice options and seem headed on the right track with Ayre, the older on newer Naim 200 series and Coda. I have heard two others that I like. The Audionet Watt weighs 55 pounds but is very very good. It checks all the other requirements. I have heard this in my system and it takes a lot of money and weight to top it. At their rating of 167w @ 8 ohms I would not worry about power. GTT Audio often has a show demo of this model. The other are the Soulnote A2 and A3. the A3 is too heavy at 66 lb but super nice. I own the A2, and even rated at 100 watts it punches well above that. My speakers are more efficient though. But very sweet sounding SS integrateds. I got my A2 barely used for 4k. I see them very occasionally for 5k. Good Luck! Fun! |
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