The Lux will do very nicely to fulfill the priorities you set out. With it, you are not buying redundancies, and it has a classic design. If you can find one for your stated budget you will not be disappointed with its performance. The Ohm Walsh 1000s are a nice choice for your speakers. Enjoy...and it's good of you to care for your elders, who evidently raised you right.
Temporary Down Sizing - Integrated Amp Recommendations
Moving into a small condo, as I need to take care of my parents for a few years, so my reference system is being put in storage.
My current reference system is:
- T+A PA3100HV integrated Amp
- T+A CRITERION TCD 110 S Floor-standing speakers
- Cary Audio DMS 700 Digital Source & DAC
- Clear Audio Ovation Turntable
The new system will perform double duty for both music and two channel cinema - (no more surround sound equipment either - ugh).
Because of the limited space open floor plan of the condo (having to keep the speakers close to the front wall) and needing to create a omni-directional sound stage - appealing to a wider listening group, I have decided to go with Ohm Tall 1000 speakers. I will also keep my Cary Audio DMS 700 as my digital music/NAS/ Streaming source & and use it’s DAC for ingesting the digital audio from the video feeds into the system.
For the amp - based on the decor (read wife) I’ve decided to go with a bit of vintage look, UV meters, on the integrated amp - which will be displayed as a center piece on the entertain console under the TV.
With a budget up to ~$3k I have been thinking about:
- Yamaha A-S2200
- Luxman L-505uXII
- Vincent Audio SV-228 hybrid
Since I don’t need any digital capability the Yamaha and Luxman are very appealing, but I am a bit concerned with the reviews of those units and the references to those companies house sound signatures, as my T+A leans on the warm, analog side of neutral - not typically the way the Japanese brands are described as. The Vincent with a tube front end might be closer to what I am use to, but it doesn’t have balanced inputs and has a built-in DAC which I don’t need.
Long story short I would appreciate any constructive input, advise, recommendations.