2. amps-preamps
  3. 1407725268

Integrated advice

Hi everyone,

I hope you are all doing well. I am considering moving some of my rig to my office system, so I may have an opening at home for an integrated. I'm happy with my current speakers - Golden Ear Triton 7 - that have an 89db sensitivity and a minimum of 3.7ohms. The front end is digital - Oppo 105 (may move to the Sony HAP Z1es, but nonetheless it will be digital). I've been using a Hegel H80, which I find to be a very nice sounding amp. However, more headroom/power would be a nice thing to have, especially because the Triton 7 has a nicely controlled deep bass.

I'm looking at a budget around $2,000-$3000 and want balanced inputs. I don't need a DAC or phono input. At this price point, I've seen a few possibilities that look interesting:

a. Wyred 4 Sound STI-500 (or the 1000)
b. Krell s300i
c. Musical Fidelity M6i (if I can find it used)

Wondering if you might give me your thoughts on any of the above. There are no dealers around here, so I won't have a chance to listen to it. However, I'll be sure to buy from a site with a return policy.

I appreciate your input and wish you all a good evening,
Scott
smrex13

Showing 4 responses by smrex13

smrex13 OP
645 posts
 
The Rogue Pharaoh has the features I'm looking for. However, I had a negative experience (shared by others, apparently) with the Sphinx, so I'm leery to take another (expensive) chance.

It sounds like Ayre is the leader right now, judging by the responses and the reviews I've seen. My listening room is about 15x13ft., so I'm sure that it would be enough power.

Another option that I just came across is the Red Wine Audio Signature 16. My power is terrible, so a battery powered amp (with a tube stage) sounds like a great idea. It's only 32wpc into 4 ohms, but I'm intrigued.

As an experiment, I hooked up my old NAD 316BEE to my system last night (40WPC), and it's much more dynamic and has better bass control that my Hegel does, although it lets through much more digital grit (that damn a/c current again). I wasn't expecting that at all, so I'm reconsidering the power needs anyway.

Thanks again for your thoughts, and feel free to keep 'em coming!

Scott
smrex13 OP
645 posts
 
Thanks for the input so far. The Nuprime has the features I want, but it's probably too new for me to feel comfortable buying it. I'd need to have more reviews/experiences from other members regarding its DAC and its sonic signature.

Ayre is quite intriguing as is the Luxman. I'll have to find a place that sells them with a trial period.

Keep the recommendations comingÂ…

Thanks so much,
Scott
smrex13 OP
645 posts
 
Goldprintaudio-

Doesn't the Krell 550i need a 20 amp circuit? I had ruled it out because of that, but perhaps I'm wrong?

I did like the sound of the Sphinx, so I wouldn't completely rule out the Pharaoh. How do you compare it sound-wise to the Sphinx?

Thanks,
Scott
smrex13 OP
645 posts
 
Mattoy - you have described the Hegel perfectly. It just seemed like I could never find a comfortable volume - either I was straining to hear the details in the music, or I was overwhelmed in my somewhat small listening room. Using balanced ICs helped a bit.

I really like the Triton 7s, too. Very impressive for their size and price. They are exactly what I was looking for, so now I'm just trying to find the right amp. Thanks for the Simaudio recommendation. It's not a brand I know a lot about, but people seem to have wonderful things to say about their products.

Happy listening!
Scott
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