Integrated with phono & DAC

[martian sunrise]

Following on from the 'Versatile Amps' thread, I am looking into the options for an integrated amp with a DAC and a phono stage.

My main set up (modded l1210/caiman2/croft epoch/FB Air/Eatons) has always been in the living room, with the second set up (sony ps6750/pioneer sa-9500/minstrels) in an annexe at my in laws. we have been happy with this, as it gave me two options.

we now have a new member of the family, and the boss is finding the main set up a pain in the ass, with turning everything on, making sure it is off, etc and I am probably listening to music more seriously when I am on my own down at the annexe (I stay there when I work out of Bristol).

anyway - the mrs has asked for the set ups to be swapped, but I am interested in a newer amp (2nd hand!) that is an all in one solution for the front room. i don't really know too much about what is out there, but a bit of research has come up with the following:

tq claymore
xtz a100
parasound halo integrated
bel canto c5

are there any others that I should look into? anyone got anything they would like to sell/swap?

the tannoys stay, as does the pioneer, but I am up for shuffling around to get something suitable, so anything else would be considered.

thanks!

[Manicatel]

NAD stuff springs to mind as having a DAC & a phono stage built in (MM only, I think). The 338,368 & the 388 models do.
Also some of the Rotels.
What’s the budget?

[martian sunrise]

thanks for the suggestions - i will check them out

as for budget - i reckon about 1K, but flexible

[mikeyb]

Good luck finding a TQ Claymore, I've just sold mine to wee tee cee ( who now owns 2 ), I think there might only be 6 in existence.

[wee tee cee]

The tq claymore is worth chasing.

Fabulous class a head phone section

USB DAC is the best ive heard.

Great phono section.

as an amp in its own right its fantastic.....

Delighted Mike let me stewardship.

My other one was Colin Wonfors own amp so hot rodded regards matching of components and some expensive caps.

Both are rather special at making music!!!

[martian sunrise]

Ha. Ok. Let me know if you ever want to shift it

[mikeyb]

The tq claymore is worth chasing.

Fabulous class a head phone section

USB DAC is the best ive heard.

Great phono section.

as an amp in its own right its fantastic.....

Delighted Mike let me stewardship.

My other one was Colin Wonfors own amp so hot rodded regards matching of components and some expensive caps.

Both are rather special at making music!!!Rub it in why don't you [emoji23]

[paulf-2007]

The tq claymore is worth chasing.

Fabulous class a head phone section

USB DAC is the best ive heard.

Great phono section.

as an amp in its own right its fantastic.....

Delighted Mike let me stewardship.

My other one was Colin Wonfors own amp so hot rodded regards matching of components and some expensive caps.

Both are rather special at making music!!!stupid telephone numbers price.

[wee tee cee]

best amp ive heard -gary and toppsys lda 30ob lda power amps aside..

Ye pays yer money and all that!!!

Both my tq claymores are keepers , one soon to be augmented with a EWA M100 for power duties!!

[mikeyb]

stupid telephone numbers price.Reviews thought it was good value at the time [emoji6]

Can't be many amps that well specified with so many features that cost much less these days, certainly not of the quality of sound on offer. But I do know Colin hated the asking price, he thought it should have been a lot less [emoji6]

[paulf-2007]

It's the old diminishing returns, crazy prices for tiny improvements, maybe. I've been through 2A3, 300B, PX25, EL34 etc with front horns, back loaded horns, open baffles, etc. Now I get as good with a Sony receiver I paid £69 for, phono stage is excellent, just means I have to use a separate Dac.

[Stereosane]

I own an Audio Analogue Fortissimo amp which has a Dac/Phono built in with switching option between MM/MC. I can't comment on the phono stages as I havent used it, the Dac is okay not bad but nothing exceptional. I think it was more an added feature for connecting your tv to it, the writeups say the phono stage is decent though. As an amp it is brilliant and definetly geared more towards quality sound than the features which there are a few nice ones though.