Hybrid Digital Integrateds - any good ?

[basslover]

Hi all,
I'm seriously wondering about trying one of these, and I notice there are a few contenders, probably headed by the Nad D 3045, Quad Vena and Audiolab 6000A. These all offer more or less what I'm after connectivity-wise, and all seem around the same power rating. I just wondered if there are any users on any of these out there to share thoughts, experiences etc. I can't really try any so would have to plunge in, and at the moment the Nad tops it because of flexibility (on its side..!) but just weighing up the pros and cons. Any views?

[mikmas]

I've had the original Quad Vena for about a year and a half now and I've been well pleased with it.
I originally bought it to replace an Audiolab Q-Dac going to a 'conventional' pre/power set up and get rid of some of the cable spaghetti.
I've found it to be very versatile and covers most of my needs admirably ... the sound is rich and surprisingly powerful (for an integrated) and the versatility is a bonus. Particularly like the added analogue inputs and also the line-out function that means I can use it with my Quad 405-2 if the fancy takes me ....

Only downsides for me:
1. No phono stage ... but this is addressed in the new model.
2. No 'tape output' which is only really a drag if I want to use a different headphone amp.
3. Analogue inputs are not fed to either of the digital outputs (a bit much to ask for maybe).

[hifi_dave]

The new Quad Vena II is excellent and now has a very good phono stage.

[struth]

Yup, got a Vena 2 off Dave and the Phono Stage is excellent for an integrated. Certainly 200+ range, which makes the Vena Package great value

[SLS]

I have two integrated units, Audiolab M-One and Devialet 250 Expert Pro CI. Very happy with them both.

[alphaGT]

Have you seen the Peachtree models? They’re one of the first to combine digital in an integrated. And I think they are rather handsome looking. I don’t have a lot of experience with them, but was at an associate’s house and the few minutes I heard it play I was very impressed with the sound he was getting.

Russell

[mr sneff]

Have you seen the Peachtree models? They’re one of the first to combine digital in an integrated. And I think they are rather handsome looking. I don’t have a lot of experience with them, but was at an associate’s house and the few minutes I heard it play I was very impressed with the sound he was getting.
Russell
I have a Peachtree Decco2 which I think is excellent, particularly as I picked up a pristine S/H unit for £350! I like the styling, which is similar to the Quad Vena. The onboard DAC, IMO, is particularly good especially USB input which I use with my Raspberry Pi. The slightly weak link is the power amp section, but as there are pre-outs I run it with a separate power amp.

[alphaGT]

I have a Peachtree Decco2 which I think is excellent, particularly as I picked up a pristine S/H unit for £350! I like the styling, which is similar to the Quad Vena. The onboard DAC, IMO, is particularly good especially USB input which I use with my Raspberry Pi. The slightly weak link is the power amp section, but as there are pre-outs I run it with a separate power amp.

So how many watts does the Decco 2 produce? I recall some of their integrated’s having a lot, I thought there was one that was 200 watts? I’ll have to read up and refresh my memory on that.

But yours sounds like a real kick butt system! Running your Raspberry Pi directly into it, sound very interesting!

I’ve got a Cary CD player, that has a direct input to its internal DAC. I imagine if I knew how, I could run me some Raspberry Pi into it as well? It doesn’t do USB, it would have to be SpDIF I suppose? If I hook my iPad into it, would that be Apple Pi? ;)

Russell