Need help finding atypical integrated amp


Hey guys,

I've been an audiophile for about 20 years and am a former industry vet, but I have a need for a product that I can't seem to find.

In short, due to space/wife requirements, I need to give up my Audio Research gear and move to an integrated amp. In the process, I'm giving up an amp, pre-amp, DAC and outboard phono pre-amp. I'm not going to kid myself that going from separate to an integrated will get me the same kind of performance, especially with my budget, but those are the breaks.

Anyway, I'm looking for an integrated (one chassis) amp that can do all of the following at some level:

* Would like to have a toslink digital input
* Need to have analog (RCA) inputs (at least one)
* Would like to have a built-in phono pre-amp
* Need to have a pre-amp out for use with a powered sub
* Need to have a remote
* Needs to be compatible with use in a cabinet... a "class d" or similar design would be preferable
* Needs to be QUIET (using with 101 db sensitive Zu Druids)
* Needs to be in the $2,000-$2,500 range

For the life of me, I can't find anything that meets these specs. I've found ones close... Peachtree Nova has all but the phono... NAD 375 has all but the digital input... TacT 2150 has all but phono... Rega Mira 3 has all but the digital input... Cairn 100 range with modular components might work, but I can't find enough info on them to pursue it.

Does anyone have any ideas? I know I'm asking for a lot, but considering so many products come close, I'm hoping there's a "hidden gem" out there that I'm just missing.

Thanks for the help!
128x128pmindemann

Showing 1 response by loomisjohnson

if you reaLLY have you heart set on a one box solution, you could opt for a really good used avr like an arcam or b&k, which has all your requirements in a box and, truth be told, probably would sound about as good as the integrateds you're considering.