2. amps-preamps
  3. 1228877055

Small integrated

I have a difficult situation. I have bought a new 50" plasma for the family room and my wife picked out the furniture stand. It won't accommodate my amps or receivers. Although the shelf-behind-door is 17", the opening is only 14". But, she likes the furniture, so it stays. I am looking for an integrated that is as small as possible, less than 15" wide and less than 12" deep, solid-state since it is enclosed, and at least two inputs. Built-in DAC or USB input would be a bonus but not essential. The source is an Oppo 980 (or the new Oppo BR when it is available) and DirecTV. Speakers are Gallo A'Diva Ti + REL sub. I will stay with 2 channel for now. One that came to mind is Nuforce Icon, but I am hoping there are others. Thanks for any and all help!
tgrisham
tgrisham OP
1,291 posts
 
Celtic-Which tubes have you tried or recommend?
lvk47
94 posts
 
Hi try a GLOW amp. Here is their website:
http://www.glow-audio.com/home.html
Its gotten some very nice reviews
nzera
68 posts
 
Definitely check out the April Music Aura Note. I use it with Duevel Planets. Very small footprint. Very refined sound. Has a built in CDP, and multiple digital inputs for its internal DAC, which is top quality. Slightly disappointed using analog inputs through the single RCAs- probably they did not put too much into the preamp stage since they assumed it would be primarily used for digital media.
audiofil
17 posts
 
Try something a bit more fun and modular. Look at the small Grace Design 902M + let's say a 102 from Jeff Rowland. The 902 is a great DAC with every digital input you may ever want including USB, it is also a phenomenal reference headphone amplifier capable of running two headphones simultaneously and it is a preamplifier. It (902) has independent volume control for headphones and pre-out with volume memory setting. You may not be a headphone fan, but perhaps you will find this way of listening sometimes both practical and enjoyable. Both are very small units and both are balanced (balanced out in the 902 available as an option) Good luck.
tgrisham OP
1,291 posts
 
LVK47, Nzera, Audiofil-Thanks for all the suggestions. I was initially bummed out about the furniture and not being able to use the components I intended to use, but now it looks promising and maybe even fun to search for the best sound with the smallest footprint. Again, thanks and all ideas are welcome.
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