SS Integrated Amp Question

[bokat57]

Hi

I am looking for a solid state integrated amp with 20 wpc or less.
Can someone recommend an amp like this ?
Does such an amp exist ?

Thanks:thmbsp:
Bob

 

[1tumbleweed]

Vintage or new? For new, there's the TEAC AI-301DA with DAC & Bluetooth, 22wpc for $400 at Amazon or Crutchfield.

You might also consider the NAD C316BEE, with a bit more power than you asked for at the same-ish price.

Happy trails,
Larry B.

 

[slimecity]

Absolutely - plenty of these in the vintage field. Ie: Sansuis like the AU-555. I have a nice little Nikko vintage amp that is less than 20 WPC. Also plenty of vintage Kenwoods, technics etc of this approximate power rating.

 

[Tedrick]

The Pioneer SA-500 is a real sweet-sounding 10 wpc integrated.

 

[bokat57]

Hi

Interesting ! However at this time I am looking for new stuff. I would spend $2000 to $3500

Thanks
Bob:thmbsp:

 

[bare]

Sigh.. Find and Buy an NAD that fits your needs and Budget. Likely get to keep a lot of your budget as well
Remember than a Prosaic NAD is Better sounding than 80% of the New stuff out there.... let alone the old gear.

 

[1tumbleweed]

Can you tell us why you want to restrict the power to 20 watts? At those prices it'll be hard to find something with that little power.

You don't have to turn it up loud, y'know.:yes:

Happy trails,
Larry B.

 

[marqueemoon]

That's a weird budget.

For new stuff NVA makes some 15 watt models. The Dayens Ampino would be another option. It's 25W at 8 ohms. The fully loaded upgraded caps/Alps one is $700ish.

 

[RuffzGuts]

Very odd....why??? if have that kind of money to spend wouldn't you go tube?

 

[marqueemoon]

If I wanted low SS power and had $3500 to spend I would skip the integrated idea and look at First Watt stuff.

 

[bokat57]

Hi Guys

Good questions and comments I will try to respond to each.

Can you tell us why you want to restrict the power to 20 watts? At those prices it'll be hard to find something with that little power.

You don't have to turn it up loud, y'know.

I do not listen to music very loud. I am probably using about a 1/2 to 1 watt p/c at most it is my belief that a lower power amp will sound better at lower volumes.
A lower power amp will have less head room and I will sacrifice that for a cleaner signal at lower volume levels I think a higher power amp has to be played louder to sound it's best.

That's a weird budget.

Thats only a number I threw out there it could be less but I am thinking a well designed amp that performs well ( see above ) could cost at least that much.

Very odd....why??? if have that kind of money to spend wouldn't you go tube?

I do have a tube amp it is a all tube integrated 3 wpc SEP

If I wanted low SS power and had $3500 to spend I would skip the integrated idea and look at First Watt stuff.

It is my belief the least amount of equipment in the signal chain the better.

If you guys have any comments or questions please feel free to post them and I will try to answer them hopefully in a way that makes sense.

Thanks:thmbsp:
Bob

 

[ConradH]

Your initial premise of cleaner sound from a small amp at low levels might have a grain of truth, but for all sorts of reasons from economics to designer ego, small solid state amps are rarely an engineering tour de force. The emphasis is on low cost, which means design shortcuts or at least simpler topologies that don't usually perform as well. One certainly can build a very good low power amp, but the market would be headphone amps or the low power tube amps you've already got. I'd ignore the power limitation as artificial and just look for the cleanest integrated. Exactly what that would be is certainly wide open and subject to taste. One man's clean is another man's harsh.

 

[bokat57]

For new stuff NVA makes some 15 watt models. The Dayens Ampino would be another option. It's 25W at 8 ohms. The fully loaded upgraded caps/Alps one is $700ish.

This gear looks cool but unfortunately it has no channel balance control.

Thanks:thmbsp:
Bob

 

[bokat57]

Your initial premise of cleaner sound from a small amp at low levels might have a grain of truth, but for all sorts of reasons from economics to designer ego, small solid state amps are rarely an engineering tour de force. The emphasis is on low cost, which means design shortcuts or at least simpler topologies that don't usually perform as well. One certainly can build a very good low power amp, but the market would be headphone amps or the low power tube amps you've already got. I'd ignore the power limitation as artificial and just look for the cleanest integrated. Exactly what that would be is certainly wide open and subject to taste. One man's clean is another man's harsh.

Hi

Basically I agree with your statement. The whole point of my original post was to find out if there was in fact a high end hi fi low power SS integrated amp.

Thanks:thmbsp:
Bob