2. amps-preamps
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Suggestions for New/Used amp under $3500

My System : Von Schweikert Unifield 2 speakers. Preamp outputs from a Denon 3311ci receiver. Room size is small (12x 15 x 8) but opens up into dining and kitchen. Possibility of moving into a larger space so headroom is desirable.

Planning to order a couple of amps and keep the one i like. Ability to drive center channel also would be a nice (but not mandatory). New or used does not matter.

Wondering if i can do better than Channel Islands Audio d200 mk2 monoblock pair.

Based on reviews and recommendations i have considered the following options:
- Emotivas
- Odyssey
- parasound
- butler audio
roxito
truemaineiac's avatar
truemaineiac
249 posts
 
Soix is on the money. Lots of very good integrated options in your price range and you will experience a big jump up over the denon receiver.
roxito OP
22 posts
 
Soix.... Actually CI Audio shipped me one of their Preamps (VPC3) when I reported lack of any significant improvements. That helped the comparison since it was easier to level match and A/B test the CI audio pre-amp + amp against the Denon by itself. It did not affect my conclusion.

Sources used: oppo bdb-80, google play music over chromcast,

Material: sacds, dvd-audio, stereophile test/sampler cds, google play streaming, some mp3 from my collection, etc.
roxito OP
22 posts
 
BTW.. Thanks for your inputs.
Its not that i am having trouble getting goose bumps, i am just looking to see what improvements are feasible within that budget.
hgeifman
2,113 posts
 
Ayre AX-7e integrated amplifier is an excellent amp in your price range. It sounds best running in balanced mode. I suggest you give it a listen.
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