Integrated amp recommendations

[mrehorst]

I Currently use a Sony GX9 ES. The speakers im currently using are Polk monitor 10's.
I have it connected to my PC and mostly use my PC and tv as sources.

Im looking for something that sounds a little more rich.

What does "rich" mean?

Wiim Amp Ultra costs around $500 or so, has HDMI and optical inputs for TV. It has USB but not as an input for the computer, so you'd need an external DAC such as the SMSL SU-1 for about $80. The amp puts out 100W into 8 and 200W into 4 Ohms, and uses post filter feedback so it will drive just about any speaker (no need to worry about "synergy", whatever that is). It also has a built in streamer and very good DAC. Built in DSP functions as graphic or parametric eq, and as a crossover in case you use an active sub. It can also do room eq automatically. It's small, runs cool, and is easily hidden if you care about such things. I use mine with Quad ESL-63s and an SVS sub and it sounds great.

 

[rickl]

My older sister had a Kenwood (KA-5700?) that sounded awesome to my young ears. Dunno whatever happened to it but she didn't give it to me!

I'm using ka-5700 in the living room rig and a Ka-7100 in the lab. Both were broken but with a little work they sound great.

The ka-3500 is similar to the 5700. Both are easy to fix.

 

[juliet lima]

I'm looking for recommendations for a Integrated amp.

I Currently use a Sony GX9 ES. The speakers im currently using are Polk monitor 10's.
I have it connected to my PC and mostly use my PC and tv as sources.

Im looking for something that sounds a little more rich.

Ive been looking at Rotel A11 Tribute and the Marantz PM6700. I have no way to audition them locally.
I would like to keep it 700ish or under. I'm just wondering should i be looking at older used gear to
get more band for my buck.

I find digital from most Sony es integrated’s and pre’s to be a bit bright. Maybe more than a bit.

Although I hate the blue lights my one experience with a marantz 2240B yielded the best sound of ones and zeros that I’ve ever heard. If I was primarily using a computer/tv and had reasonably efficient speakers I’d be hard pressed to want anything else.

 

[Mr Creosote]

Have a look at the Yamaha A-S501. At 85 watts, a pretty respected integrated amp. It'll drive my Polk Monitor 10s with authority.

 

[Akustic]

Richer sound ??

That's a pretty wide open description, and only you can define it .. Listen to as many as you can with a return option ..

As for "newer or older" in an integrated amp that's pretty straightforward.

Every component in an integrated amp is subject to deterioration over time .. so it simply can't be what it was when new.
Every switch and knob is worn.
Every used amp of the same brand and model has been subject to different conditions that can affect the amp's sonics.

The decision is up to only one set of ears ..yours ..

Enjoy the Music ..

 

[Markoz]

I like my 7's with Peerless tweeters too. I've been meaning to swap my 10's out for the 7's. I do have to use my sub with with the 7's though. I don't have tone controls in my main system and in my living room the 7's can be a bit bass shy at lower volumes. They do sound really good though. At higher volumes I can turn the sub off. The 10's dig deep enough a sub just isn't needed.

Definitely loving the bass of the 10's. They dig deep enough to rattle the pictures on the wall during some passages. They are great with the PAS/ST35.

I just happened across the manual and receipt for the 7's that I bought from my college roommate. He bought them new in October 1987 for $460. They credited him $300 for a pair of 5jr+ that he returned.

 

[Lavane]

Definitely loving the bass of the 10's. They dig deep enough to rattle the pictures on the wall during some passages. They are great with the PAS/ST35.

I just happened across the manual and receipt for the 7's that I bought from my college roommate. He bought them new in October 1987 for $460. They credited him $300 for a pair of 5jr+ that he returned.

My Dynakit ST-35 just didn't sound quite right with the 10's to me for some reason. But the VTA M-125 KT88 PPP mono blocks will defenetly rattle pictures hanging on the wall. The reason the ST-35 didn't quite work out for me is maybe due to not having tone controls in my preamp? I do get great low end with a pair of Marantz Imperial 6's connected to the ST-35.
I really like the impact the PR's can produce in the 10's. You can really hear and feel the impact of bass drums.
I have a pair of Polk 5jr's also. They sound really goon in a small room. Not so much in a larger room lkke a living room though.
Im thinking about getting a new preamp with tone controls though. I haven't used tone controls in my main system since around 2015.