Looking for a ‘’No braine’r Integrated amplifier under 7500 or so


hello all!

I’m looking for ideas on a ‘slam dunk’ flexible high value solidly performing INTEGRATED amp for an office system, but one that for a while can be my ‘go to’ or primary unit and is a bit above entry level.

preference is to buy new, but preowned in the right scenario works for me as well.

Pesently I’m starting all over in amassing gear and felt to initiate the project by wading into the water slowly.

I have on hannd remnants of my former   efforts in a then very good line stage preamp and DAC, though the DA age is showing and well behind current popular trends  and support for new formats.

also on hand are some ‘so so’ amps, and several pairs of speakers and I just added a Blue Sound Noede 2I.

ultimately I see nearly everything being replaced but felt starting with a very nice Integrated seems as good a starting point as any.

topology is as such, not too too imoportant. decent power however is key as speakers being paired here are as yet unknown. likelyhood here is a pair of monitors and a sub.

the music playback will likely be streaming from providers and NAS files.

Aesthewtix Mimas has peaked my interest currently. and having owned bAT their INT is interesting too. apart from these two I’m wide open to suggestions on current one box amp solutions..

glass or sand power here makes little difference apart from thereafter mating speakers to the INT power constraints..

your thoughts, and expieriences here are vastly appreciated. THX
blindjim

Showing 2 responses by jwl244

Hi blindjim. My opinions here are going to be very different than everyone else. They all sound like they have more experience than me. But here goes... I personally LOVE the Naim uniti atom/nova line. It is absolutely amazing. I have an atom which puts out 40 wpc and the nova which I think is about $6000 puts out 80 wpc. Although 40/80 doesn't seem like much many reviewers have noted that the atom can drive many speakers just fine. This will of course depend on your distance from your speakers, how loud you like to play, and how sensitive they are. I sit about 10 ft away driving martin logan 6xti speakers (93 sensitivity) and they get loud and the bass remains tight and deep. It's incredible. I would go for the nova for the 80 wpc at your budget and unknown speakers. The naim is an all in one box solution and they call it a "lifestyle" product because it's just so easy to plug and play right away. It's visually nice to look at and again in an office setting seems perfect. You're not looking to fuss with too much and just want a simple solution that has amazing connectivity. The naim ticks off all boxes there. That would be my suggestion to look into. 
Blind jim. I see the arguments for picking a speaker first.. I totally get that... I feel the naim uniti series would go well with any speaker you pair it with. Again.. I think about your environment. If it’s your office the environment is completely different. You may not be able to achieve a silent sound floor for example. That may not be the goal. Instead I think of my work space as one in which I am mostly distracted but every so often a riff in the song draws me to it so I have to stop and listen to it. I would think usability and the experience is more important. There are a lot of distractions. Vinyl I would put on the back burner in favor of the ease and access of the digital domain. When you get home you can put on a record on your TT and sit down with a glass of wine or whisky (my preference)