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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?

996turbo911
kennyc
2,923 posts
 


It is difficult to find an integrated with good DACs as most are built to a cost limit vs sonic performance.

A few integrates with good DACs:

  1. Hegel H400 or H600 - very good DAC
  2. Aesthetix Mimas w/DAC module  - very good DAC
  3. Used Mola Mola Kula with optional DAC - great DAC
prefab's avatar
prefab
66 posts
 

For sheer utility, reliability and great sound I love Bryston. They really don't make a bad sounding unit. I have a 90s era preamp that I use in the garage (I do a lot of projects there, it is not a throwaway space). It is a fine sounding unit. Not as good as my Pass/Ayre/Vandersteen system, but it does a really fine job on all kinds of music. I'm sold on them as an easy pick. I understand that the newer cubed models sound even better. 

knownothing
1,821 posts
 

The new ARCAM SA45 is a fairly high-power all-in-one box device with Dirac Live.  Might be worth checking out.

I would also look at the Primare I25 Prisma DM36 as another one box solution.

Others mentioned already are also viable options.  This is suddenly a crowded field.

kn

bthartman
38 posts
 

You might also take a look at the T+A Symphonia integrated.

 

https://upscaleaudio.com/products/t-a-elektroakoustik-symphonia-streaming-integrated-amplifier?srsltid=AfmBOoquxkiNUDpVTwEkSE2HYpoxsrkViITEKGj8De8f8O2Kj20eSi6t

vthokie83
1,224 posts
 

If you are close to a dealer that carries them, I would highly recommend checking out the Dutch & Dutch 8C. They are an all in one speaker system: streamer, DAC, amp, room correction, speakers, and subwoofers....just bring your ethernet to the speaker and you are ready to go.

They are larger stand mounts, but they are a really really good system. I helped a friend set them up in his Wisconsin vacation home, and thought they were brilliant. I would recommend an upgraded power cable, they do improve with a better cable (in this case Audio Sensibility)

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