2. amps-preamps
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Integrated amp + DAC + room correction all-in-one for Nola Boxer 1 + REL R328 sub

Dear forum,

I’m looking to upgrade my integrated amp + external DAC source to an all-in-one integrated amp + DAC + room correction box. Budget to $2500, may stretch to $2800 if super-compelling.

I currently use a Creek 5350se integrated amp, with external DAC input from a Yamaha RX-V773 AVR (TI/Burr-Brown PCM1681 DAC chip on whatever circuit Yamaha cooked up).

Loudspeakers are Nola Boxer 1 on Dynaudio Stand 4, and REL R328 sub connected by Neutrix cable to main L/R binding posts on amp. Loongg runs of ProWire speaker and Neutrix cables through crawlspace to loudspeakers / sub.

Music = classical + opera, electronic, new & old rock, alternative, trap, house

Room is 18’ x 12’ x 13’h average ceiling height (2808 cu feet), hardwood floors, random furniture objects. Speakers 6’ apart, REL sub in corner to right of right speaker, listening position 8’ from center of speaker axis.

Requirements (but will flex if compelling):

  1. one box, no separates: amp + DAC and ideally + room correction
  2. ethernet-in on DAC circuit <= can be talked out of this if sensible alternatives
  3. ’classic’ & useful front-plate design <= no NuPrime IDA-16
  4. simple, solid, non-stupid remote <= again, no NuPrime. Rogue doesn’t get hi marks here either
  5. known affinity with Nola Boxer 1 a huge plus

Here are units I’m researching in DESC order of coveting-ness:

  • Hegel H190 <= yes $4K USD srp, will stretch to $2800 to buy used
  • Parasound HINT6 Halo <= ESS Sabre32 Reference ES9018K2M DAC, new product, no reviews/track-record. No ethernet-in either. Will stretch to $2800 for used ... and probly have to wait a long time for that.
  • Creek Evolution 100A <= no ethernet-in. Eventual poor reliability experience with my existing Creek 5350se, which used a lo-quality ALPS input switch, which is failing
  • Micromega M-100 <= will stretch to $2800 for used. No ethernet-in afaict.
  • Rogue Cronus Magnum II <= reviews suggest cheap-feeling remote. No ethernet-in.
  • Yamaha A-S801 <= ’budget’ solution at $900 USD, ESS Sabre ES9010K2M DAC circuit. Needs Yamaha wireless connector for ethernet-in. May not have room correction?

All helpful feedback appreciated including units I haven’t considered. Relatedly, I’m wondering how much I’d give up if I went the ’budget’ route (Yamaha A-S801).
usery

Showing 5 responses by uberwaltz

uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
OP
I too was initially concerned on what I termed low power rating of the 2170, after all I was moving from a BAT VK-600SE which was 300w x2 at 8 ohm!
I need not have worried at all although the only speakers I have driven have all been fairly benign loads, electrostatics maybe a little more challenging.
95db room level volume is VERY easily achieved...lol
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
That is correct, the 3400 fixes that but at quite a price hike although it also boasts more power and a built in music server.
Not sure what you are using for present music streaming but I use a Bluesound Vault2 with direct internet in and than feed the spdif signal out to the 2170
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
+1 Soix.

But I am incredibly biased.....lol.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
OP
Your reasons for going all in one mirror mine as I was slowly replacing each and every unit at considerable cost in search of "nirvana"
Since the 2170 I have not even looked at amps or dacs, all I added to this mix was a decent phono stage, Goldnote PH-10 which appears to match well with the 2170 and my Nottingham Analog tt.

Enjoy the journey and check this thread out for 2170 real world experiences.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/who-has-luv-for-the-lyngdorf-2170-and-is-thinking-about-the-3...

uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
If you are even remotely considering the 4k territory then you HAVE to demo a Lyngdorf2170.
Yes I am very biased......
Replaced well over 10k worth of seperates in my rig.
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