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Integrated Amp Shopping Decisions

Looking to replace my 1987 NAD 1240 preamp and Adcom 535ll. They have served me well for years but are now both very long in the tooth and probably time for caps but not interested in investing as it would be a poor investment to update them. So I am looking to go integrated. Have a Technics 1210GR and Music Hall 7 so vinyl is a given. Also need USB for my Dead flac files.  So my needs are decent MM phone preamp, USB and can run either RCA or coax out from my Rotel Tribute CD.   Don't really need Bluetooth. Preferable to have tone controls. I am looking at a new speaker purchase which may likely be Wharfedale Lintons or Evos.  Price point around $1800 max.

So, I have a list of possibles.  Cambridge CXA81 but no tone controls or phonestage so not sure about this one, Parasound HINT6 preowned puts me $1800 (Its got the phono and DAC, ) Bel Canto C5i gives me phono and DAC (if I can find preowned) Rogue Sphinx (plus add Schitt Mani DAC) Musical Fidelity M5si (preowned), Yamaha S801 gets good reviews but lower price scares me.  Any contenders I am missing?  Thoughts?

vinyljones1
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,745 posts
 

Have the Rogue Sphinx.  Have paired it with both the Technics 1210 & 1500.  The built in phono on the Rogue is as good as the Schiit Mani phono (which I owned at one point).  I also have the PS Audio DAC and SACD transport in the mix. Zu Audio Omen bookshelf speaker round out the system.  

I think you will be pretty happy with the Rogue.  Took me awhile to find it.  Had a Rega Brio, which was just ok.  Had a Croft integrated which I could not understand why people liked it.  Rogue is enjoyable.  Non-fatiguing sound.  

 

Rich 

krelldog
308 posts
 

I went from the Parasound Int to a Pass INT 60...it was a step up...but not huge. The Parasound will also give you a basic Phono pre-MC/MM not the best but better than entry level. I also thought the DAC was better than I expected.

jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
886 posts
 

+1 on the rogue phono stage implementations.  If Sphinx phono stage  is anything like my RP-1 it’s good as the Moon LP 110 separate.

paradisecom
262 posts
 

Just a touch over your budget would be the Rotel RA-1572mkii. I have the 1570 I bought as a stop-gap piece a while back and it turned out to be way better than I thought it would.  I really enjoy it. 

goldprintaudio's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
goldprintaudio
502 posts
 

I'm a dealer for several of lines you mentioned (Rogue, Bel Canto, Parasound).  The Sphinx is a great choice and very flexible unit with its power output and onboard phonostage.
Another option you didn't mention that you may want to consider, the new Rega Elex-MK4.  Nice onboard MM stage AND a nice on-board Dac as well (although no USB input).

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