chenry

Responses from chenry

Need a modern Class A monoblock, preferably half or compact chassis
Some options: Sugden A21 SE Signature. Standard rack width, height about 4 in. Depth about 12 in (as with any class A, you will need air around it. Integrated. Musical Fidelity A1 (new version) rack width, height 3 in. Integrated. Schiit Audio ... 
Seeking Bookshelf Recommendations
Amphion Argon 3s, Buchardt S400, (or A500 actives), Studio Electric M4.  
You tube hifi influencers. Love them or hate them?
I think it pays to have an open mind about "influencers." In this hobby, the numbers of brands, the flood of new products, the relatively fewer shops that carry any audio gear pretty much require a willingness to explore the web for information. T... 
Are there other people like me ? Amazed by their low cost system :)
In many ways, and despite the loss of so many traditional brick-and-mortar audio shops, these are the best of times in this hobby. There are enormous choices of product from manufacturers who bring exceptional value for money. Having started out w... 
Preamp - what's the purpose?
Fair question. Obviously, you need a preamp if your amp has no volume control and you want to use more than one source and want to conveniently select between them with a switch. With some sources, you might need amplification to get to line level... 
DAC suggestions for a reasonably modest system
Denefrips Enya or Ares 12th should work for you at a little less than $1K, or if you are wanting to hit your max spend, the Pontus or the Gustard R26.  
Streaming Curious
The Bluesound Node is a good choice of streamer. It is easy to set up and use and has a good app, almost as good as SONOS. It has a decent DAC, but you might want to use a separate DAC and use one of the digital outputs from the Node to a separate... 
Amp — Leave on or turn off
Off. If you prefer, a digital timer might be the thing to rely on if you are prone to forget.  
on the cheap
WiiM Pro Plus. I have set up two low-cost systems for my college-student nieces (vintage Technics receiver + Wiim Pro + refurbed KLH 20 speakers and a KLH model 20 player/receiver/amp refurbed with a WiiM Pro.) They tested out well and reports are... 
Preamp advice
Given the price limit specified and the preference for valves, you might try the Schiitt Freya + preamp. It is selectable between a passive  setting, zero gain, a "buffered" solid state stage and a tube stage (octal, 4 tubes) with 12dB gain. It is... 
Finally upgrading my amp
You might look at the Peachtree Carina 300. It has a dual parallel DAC (ESS Sabre 9038-type) and 300W and a phono stage. For a little over your budget is the Carina GaN, with a GanFET design. Both have a headphone amp included. For about $1700 is... 
Best Covers
Lanie Gardner's cover Stevie Nicks' Dreams is getting lots of play. I don't think I have heard anyone do this song better.  
Looking for 200 watt Amp to drive Dynaudio Heritage speakers
Peachtree Carina GaN. Integrated, 200W, GaNFET, has a phono section (MM) if needed, does not require a DAC.   
Looking for recommendations for integrated with a more “organic” sound.
I am not sure what would or would not qualify as "organic." If you are looking for what some people term a "musical"  as opposed to a precise presentation, then class A amps, Musical Fidelity A1 or possibly a Sugden A21 SE Signature might fit your... 
New Falcon ls3/5a Silvers in the house
You have a nice used Yamaha with well-known provenance and which plays a 83dB BBC monitor speaker well, and it had a selectable class-A setting, rare at any price. If you are happy with the Yamaha (which are excellent amplifiers, especially for th...