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A New Integrated Amp

Hello. I'm soliciting opinions/experience with integrated amps. I wonder about hybrid integrated amps also (ie., Advance Paris A12). I am not all that impressed with Arcam, Marantz, Yamaha, but I've heard Luxmans (wow), Parasound (a bit sterile) and Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III (impressive in a demo environment).  I have not chosen speakers as of yet but I'm leaning towards DynAudio Evoke, Sonus Faber Sonetto,  and PMC.

I listen to primarily artier rock (although Metallica, Soundgarden, The Who and Zeppelin hits the spot from time to time), electronica, trip hop, new wave and punk from the late 70s and early 80s, spacey prog, and P-Funk; we also like to hear the musica de Latin America.

Budget for an amp ought to be in the $3K-$4K range. Room size is 15 x 20 x 9.

Thanks in advance

freezoner
dunham_john's avatar
dunham_john
37 posts
 

Agreed with cdtd. If you end up down the path of the Maggies, the 1.7 series is ideally paired with the Cronus Magnum III, along with a separate and self-powered sub, like Rythmik F12 or comparable.

kennymacc
721 posts
 

I totally agree with those who suggest that you decide on which speakers you like best, then match the amp with the speakers.  Happy listening   

freezoner OP
27 posts
 

Thanks everyone for your most valuable inputs!

I will take the loudspeaker-first approach. I will audition speakers that will work best in my environment and that I want for the long-term at the most I can afford. I am already quite enamored with DyanAudio, PMC, and Sonus Faber. Maybe KEF.

I will then select amplification with the idea that finding what works best in the short term with the idea that I will upgrade in the future. Class D? Class A/B. I dunno - not knowing is what makes the adventure so grand, right?

secretguy
1,981 posts
 

Agreed with cdtd. If you end up down the path of the Maggies, the 1.7 series is ideally paired with the Cronus Magnum III, along with a separate and self-powered sub, like Rythmik F12 or comparable

Couldn't disagree more. I had this combo. The amp was out of it's depth.

noodlyarm
151 posts
 

I agree with many others here to start with the speakers and then match the integrated amp from there.

 

insofar as great Integrated Amps, I recommend giving the Krell K300i a listen.  It is stunningly good and if you get it with the digital board, it will be a nice central piece to your rig.   They can be found used at the top end of the price range you mentioned.

 

BYW, I own one and and loving it.   90watts into 8ohms Class A, then up to 150. In class A/B, doubles in 4ohms and doubles agin into 2ohms.    It will drive anything and do it with authority, clarity, and great musicality.

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