Which integrated: Nait 5i, Panache or Shanling?


Ok, my eight-year-old Denon receiver died, so I finally have to pull the trigger on a new amp of some sort. I'm looking for an integrated amp in the $1,500 to $2,000 range. I'd prefer something used to save money.

I think I've finally narrowed my choice to the Naim Nait 5i, the Portal Audio Panache or the Shanling STP-80.

I have B&W 601 speakers and a cheap cd player. Both the speakers and the cd player are candidates for upgrading. Oh, this will be in a small to medium sized room.

One more thing, I namely listen to classical and jazz, though my tastes are really eclectic and I listen to lots of indie rock (but most of it isn't well-recorded...)

Thanks!!
andyrcurtis

Showing 2 responses by andyrcurtis

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm definitely looking into the Pathos Classic One now and the Cayin A-88T. I think I'm strongly leaning towards a tube integrated now.

As for my cd player and speakers. I plan on upgrading those too in the not-so-distance future. Right now, I'm going to get an integrated, since I have no power at all currently. Then, I'll probably upgrade my CDP (and interconnect), and finally the B&Ws (maybe not the cables right away; I have Audioquest type 4 cable that I'm pretty happy with).

Again thanks for the suggestions!
Thanks for all the responses. I finally went with a demo Portal Panache. I love it. Personally, I like the sound better than the Nait 5i... the soundstage is bigger and it's more liquidy, which I prefer.

The headphone amp is a big plus for me too. It sounds great with my HD600s, better, but not by much, than my z-audio lambda portable headphone amp.

At times, I wish I had a remote for it, but that's not too frequently... I just have to drag myself up and turn the volume down by hand. Not too bad in all, and I like that Portal made this product for people who are willing to give up convenience for sound quality.