Which integrated amp?


Hi all,

I need help. I am trying to decide between the following integrated amps:

Exposure 2010s
Unison Research - Unico Primo
Vincent SV 236MK II
Musical Fidelity M3i

I have included below a list of my current gear. Any suggestions and/or advice would be most welcomed as I am having trouble making up my mind. I was trying to keep things under a grand, but have since upped my budget to around $2000. Please check out my list to match an amp to my current gear, and get back to me with any thoughts, suggestions, recommendations, etc.

Thanks so much!

I currently run the turntable through a phono amp connected to the auxiliary 1 input and a USB DAC connects to the auxiliary 2 input. I am also running a line out from the aux 1 that I connect to my laptop with an RCA to mini so I can record/rip vinyl. Any new amp I purchase would need to have a line out that I could use to rip vinyl. So, keep that in mind. I mostly listen to Rock music and a bit of Jazz with occasional Funk and Soul thrown into the mix at times. I also would need a line (or pre?) out to connect a headphone amp, as my current amp has a headphone jack, and the amps listed above do not.

Also, I am using basic thick black rubber encased RCA interconnect cables. Not sure what brand they are. They are a step (or a few steps above) the basic cheap RCA cables, anyway. I know that cables can make a difference in sound quality, but my budget will not allow for expensive cabling (at this time). Any suggestions on relatively inexpensive but high quality cables would also be appreciated.

Thanks again for your time!
- G

My Gear List:

Speakers: B&W CM4s
Specifications:
21/2-way floorstanding front L/R speaker Drivers: 1" aluminum-alloy
dome tweeter, 6.5" woven Kevlar-cone bass-midrange, 6.5" aluminum-cone
woofer
Frequency response: 38Hz-20kHz, ±3dB
Impedance: 8ohms nominal, 4.4ohms minimum
Sensitivity: 90dB/W/m
Recommended amplification: 50-150W

The Amp I am replacing - > Integrated Amp: ROTEL RA-02

Phono Amp: ClearAudio Nano
SPECIFICATIONS
Mode:
MM / MC mode
switched by jumpers on the bottom of the unit
Amplification:
54 to 69 dB (MC – Mode)
34 dB to 49 dB (MM – Mode)
Input load:
47 kΩ / 220pF / MM
Individual / User / MC
MM / MC – input:
switchable (at bottom)
RIAA:
75μs / 318μs / 3180μs
RIAA accuracy:
± 0,4 dB
THD:
0,04 %
S/N ratio:
67 dB (A) (MC – Mode)
84 dB (A) (MM – Mode)
Channel separation:
> 80 db (1 kHz)
Max. output voltage:
10 V eff. (1 kHz)
Power supply:
16 V AC (< 500 mA)
In/ Outputs:
asymmetrical (RCA)

Turntable: REGA RP3 W/ELYS 2 CART & Groovetracer Reference subplatter

CD Player: ROTEL RCD-02
Specifications: Burr Brown PCM 1732 D/A Converter, HDCD decoding,
coaxial digital output, 12v trigger input

USB DAC: FIRESTONE ILTW
Specifications

* Amplifier Structure: Low pass filter with 2Vrms output
* Power Structure: High frequency switching DC-DC regulator
* USB Support: 44.1/ 48/ 88.2/ 96/ 176.4/ 192 kHz - 16 or 24 bit
rates (176.4 and 192 kHz asynchronous mode only)
* Operation Mode: Supports adaptive and asynchronous mode
* Digital Interface: Direct I2S data format transmission
* Circuit Protection: Output Short/over current protect
* DAC Chip: WOLFSON WM8740
* USB Chip: TENOR TE8802
* LPF Opamp: National Semiconductor LM4562
* Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz
* Noise Level: (1kHz, A-weighted) -106.7dB
* Dynamic Range: (1kHz, A-weighted) -106.9dB
* THD%: 0.012%
* Crosstalk: -102.7dB

Power supply for DAC: FIRESTONE AUDIO SUPPLIER
SPECIFICATIONS
24VDC ± 5%; 300mA max. output
gizmology
OK, so...I checked out the Anthem 225 (on better speakers and with more expensive cables than what I have at home) and...eh, I was a bit whatevs. It sounded ok, but not thrilling. I read a comparison of the Anthem and the HK990 that favored the Anthem. Now I am just as confused as ever! If the HK is similar to the Anthem, or according to two other people online, the lesser of the two...then I probably will not be thrilled with it either. I dunno. Still wondering if anyone has heard the TEAC AI-2000? I may try and make it out to demo an Exposure, but the place is a bit far from me, so not sure when I'll get there. Anyone have any other ideas, answers, suggestions, or comments to confuse me even further?! ; )
When I used to own B&W speakers I always had the best luck with NAD. If I were in your shoes I would be looking at the C375bee. Look into the Hegel H200 as well.
Yeah, that has been suggested but I owned a few NAD components in the early 1990s and they always had some sort of problem and wound up in the repair shop, so I am a bit leery of going there again. Although, that WAS a long time ago. I'll look into your suggestions in any case. Thanks!
There is a MF A5.5 for sale here in the integrated amp section that fits your budget - get that and call it a day - it will match nicely with your B&Ws.

(no affiliation to the seller)

I use the older A5 with my B&W CDM1NTs - great synergy and match.