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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
hasmarto's avatar
hasmarto
252 posts
 

I would recommend to audition Unison Research Due integrated. It sounds really enjoyable and listed as $4000, made in Italy. 

freezoner OP
27 posts
 

Yes...I heard the Dynaudio speakers through a lower priced Unison Research integrated the other day. It sounded great. Thanks for the recommendation!

steve59's avatar
steve59
1,979 posts
 

I think the dynaudio you listed { in grey oak} with either a used Krell or Hegel would be a great base to complete a system around. KEF speakers bass can be tricky to unlock and often sound tipped up because they need stupid power to sound balanced. The Dynaudio's tend to have a full bodied midbass and smooth treble at a price a bit more reasonable than Sonus Faber.

freezoner OP
27 posts
 

Thanks again for the sound advice (pardon the pun please)!

I pulled the trigger on a NAD M33; I got a great deal on an open box and it really does sound great considering its "Swiss Army Knife" list of features. It suits my needs as a starter.

I have gotten the list of speakers down to PMC Prophecy7 (incredible although they exceed my pay grade), Sonus Faber Sonetto V G2 (through which I listened to the M33 - fantastic with a very high WAF), and DynAudio Evoke 50s (I would like to hear their Contour 30i). 

Again, I appreciate the expertise provided from all concerned! 

A

jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,920 posts
 

I pulled the trigger on a NAD M33; I got a great deal on an open box and it really does sound great considering its "Swiss Army Knife" list of features.

m33 is indeed rich in features, hard to beat in this regard

sonically it can be bettered by others suggested, but only in pretty high level, resolving systems

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