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Modern Integrated Amps?

whiskey&wax

whiskey&wax

New Member
Hi everyone,

I live in Denver and have been reading this forum for bit, but this is my first post. I solely listen to vinyl at home and currently have a Rega Planar 3 TT with the Elys 2 cartridge, a Moon 110LP Phono Stage, Revel M16 bookshelf speakers, and a Kenwood KR-4070 stereo receiver. Everything in my system is a recent buy except for the Kenwood (I'm thinking of grabbing the Exact cartridge after the Elys wears out, which I don't think is as bad as many make it out to be). While I do enjoy the warm sound of the Kenwood KR-4070, it's a bit robust and lacks sensitivity and sound stage imo. I'm looking to upgrade to a modern piece and am mainly considering a Moon 240i or a Marantz Model 30. I've listened to both and am torn. I preferred the sound of the Marantz overall - warmer with more bass presence - but really liked the detail and sound stage of the Moon. My sales guy tells me both are great amps but that Moon is technically of higher quality and one I'll prob appreciate more long term. I'm a bit curious about Musical Fidelity as well, but have read mixed reviews and can't find a store with any demo models. I'd prefer to find a great bare bones integrated amp without a DAC or Phono Stage since I only listen to vinyl and already have the 110LP, but I'm not finding much stores carry in house. Any advice or recommendations? I'm looking to stay around $2500 or less.

Cheers
 
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botrytis said:
I am up the food chain, with speakers - I have the Revel M126Be's...

All the Revels are nice sounding though, very under the radar.
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I bet your Revels sound amazing considering how much I already love the M16's. Maybe I'll upgrade at some point!
 
Since you already have the phono stage, I would expect that you could achieve much higher sound quality and a more versatile
and easily upgraded system with a separate power amp and a passive preamp ..

Truly good passive preamps are available Inexpensively which leaves the bulk of the budget for the power amp ..
And given that are very few knobs or switches in power amps, a high quality used amp is likely to last a very long time .. so a used piece that is relatively recent is a very viable option for high quality at a reasonable price.
 
Akustic said:
Since you already have the phono stage, I would expect that you could achieve much higher sound quality and a more versatile
and easily upgraded system with a separate power amp and a passive preamp ..

Truly good passive preamps are available Inexpensively which leaves the bulk of the budget for the power amp ..
And given that are very few knobs or switches in power amps, a high quality used amp is likely to last a very long time .. so a used piece that is relatively recent is a very viable option for high quality at a reasonable price.
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Great point. This could be a clever solution considering I'm looking for an integrated amp without a DAC, streamer, or phono stage. I guess I assumed buying a quality preamp and power amp separately would cost significantly more than just a good integrated. Thanks! Any recommendations on passive preamps?
 
whiskey&wax said:
Great point. This could be a clever solution considering I'm looking for an integrated amp without a DAC, streamer, or phono stage. I guess I assumed buying a quality preamp and power amp separately would cost significantly more than just a good integrated. Thanks! Any recommendations on passive preamps?
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I use an SMD DACT from Eric Yam .. $100 Ebay ..
I've heard but don't own a Khozmo too ..$250 ..

It's really more about the sonics of the amp ..Of the solid state amps, I like Nelson Pass amps .. Threshholds .. and Levinsons or McCormacks
There is a lot out there though .. go for true High end names used ..

As for passives as long as you skip the remote and bells and whistles ... it's really just a very high quality volume knob and a selector switch .. It's mostly about the quality of that volume knob...
Best path to a high quality system is to keep the signal chain as short and simple as possible.
Why add in the unnecessary preamplificatin devices in an integrated ??
 
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botrytis said:
Passive pre`s are too hard to match and sound different as the volume control is used. I really don`t suggest them for the uninitiated. And, yes, I have one in an integrated amp.
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Most Amps will work fine with a Passive, but it is a good idea to check into the amps sensitivity and ensure that the chosen amp isn't one of the few that will have issues
using a Passive preamp ..
And if the chosen amp can't be driven by a passive, there are literally hundreds of active preamps to chose from ..
 
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whiskey&wax said:
I've read great things about these boutique analog amps (e.g. Belles, Rogue, Odyssey). I don't know anyone who has one nor can I typically 'audition' one locally though...
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I have bought a lot of kit lightly used and moved it on for not much less than what I paid for it.
 
You're on the right path by improving the amp ...
It's the center of the chain... any limitations in the amp and your sources and speakers will be limited by the amp.. (they were)
With decent sources and speakers which you have, a truly good amp is the logical upgrade to build around, and a good amp will bring out the best in what you have.
It's the anchor to improve around.

You've got a healthy budget for separates there .. especially lightly used, or as you note boutique integrateds which are generally separates level quality in one box.
But separates are easier to upgrade down the road .. why be limited by having to replace both amp and preamp because they're in one box ..

As I noted .. I would be looking at separates in your shoes...
 
Look at Luxman amps either new or vintage if a restoration doesn’t scare you. They will sound better than anything you have mentioned.
 
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