@kirkwallace yes I have heard the Elektrocompaniet. It's not cheap. But high quality for sure, pairs well with warm-ish speakers
Suggestions for an all in one integrated with source built in
I'm looking to upgrade an old setup that I've had for many years. It lives in a seldom used (by me) vacation home so doesn't see a lot of action. But when I do use it, I tend to immerse myself in it for days at a time. I will have more opportunities to get out there in the upcoming years so I want to upgrade what I have.
The current system was assembled over 10 years ago using an April Music Aura Note V2 and a set of Wharfedale Jade 3 monitors. It's a delightful system for the price, but technology has advanced and I think I can do better now. Also my budget is much larger than it was back then.
I have a perhaps irrational interest in sticking with an all in one setup like this. Not sure why that is. Maybe I can be talked out of it, but I would like to explore what else exists on the market before I consider abandoning this form factor. It looks like a lot more integrated amps have onboard DACs so maybe this is not the limitation it used to be.
I don't play a lot of CDs any longer so a good streaming solution must be involved. Any new device is likely to have this covered. Don't care if it has a display or not, but a remote is required, I don't like just using my phone for that.
The speakers will be replaced with another set of monitors as well. I intend to try out some of the usual suspects like B&W 805 D4, Focal Sopra and Kanta series, KEF Reference 1 Meta, maybe some Harbeth and Spendor too. Might try some more adventurous brands if I can get my hands on demo units easily. Bottom line, I won't be using anything extremely difficult to drive, nor anything ultra sensitive.
A few ideas I had include the NAD M33 v2, Hifi Rose RS520, and the Naim Uniti Nova. What else should I take a look at?
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On my budding shortlist for a future 2nd system, simple, elegant and high-performing (?*): The Grimm LS1be + LS1 sub + Grimm MU1 or MU2 DAC+ streamer. Used prices may be a bit above your stated budget. *I only know them from their (great) reviews and I like the aesthetics. Would love to hear any owner feedback. |
Another vote for Simaudio. Agree with @parkergetdean Simaudio is excellent +10 year warranty. They just released the Moon 370, as mentioned by @fastfreight . An all in one that benefits from some of their flagship North technology. I owned the 390 and it was great with DAC/streamer/phono. The Mind2 app is easy to use and Roon ready. My other go to would be the new Hegel 400. Can't go wrong with any of these two. For the speakers, the brands you listed are good choices. Would add Dynaudio to the list. Good luck and keep us posted. |
I would be reluctant to purchase an all-in-one with a DAC, as that technology continues to evolve, as does the control software. What's going to be the next Roon, Qobuz Connect, etc.? Will the manufacturer continue to support the app that comes with the device over time? Will it support the next great streaming service that comes out? Maybe not the biggest concern, but something to consider. I have a couple of Simaudio units and they are well built and great sounding. I have a Simaudio 600i that's in a second system and I could easily live with it as my only source if circumstances forced it. I would avoid Electrocompaniet at all costs, they are garbage. I bought a pre-owned unit from TMR and around a year after acquiring it, it developed an intermittent static sound in one channel. I took it to my local repair shop and they said they were told "not to touch it with a 10 foot pole" by an authorized Electrocompaniet service technician. I sent it to another authorized repair center, and after many hours of soldering and listening, he proclaimed it repaired. When I got it back, it still had the problem. He refused to do any more work on it. I reached out to TMR and they said that Electrocompaniet is on their "do not buy" list, "possibly due to similar issues". |
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