New Integrated

[Mike - H]

Hi everyone, I need some help choosing an integrated amp. I don’t change stuff very often, and I don’t keep up with all the latest gear in between so I’m starting from scratch. I have about 2k to spend, the main issue I’m finding is my headphone amp, I drive it from the tape out section of my present integrated. Like most people I want to upgrade when I buy and I am finding that as I go up the quality scale “tape out” becomes harder to find, but I don’t trust the headphone socket on the units enough to leave myself with no other options. I also need an onboard DAC to connect an Audiolab 6000CDT to

My research to date has shown me that the Marantz PM8006 ticks all the boxes, but it’s getting long in the tooth and I don’t want to buy something only for it to be replaced in a few months. I really like the Hegel H95/120 and the Arcam SA20/30 but again no “tape out”. Anyway, any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

cheers

[Macca]

Why might you need to replace it in a couple of months? I don't get that bit, although the rest makes sense.

[struth]

try pathos. although no tape out it has a superb headphone stage(all of its own; not a tap). I had the Classic remix. might need to look near new but its a very good unit.

[Mike - H]

Hi Martin, I was meaning replaced in the model line up, leaving me wishing I'd waited.

Mike

[Mike - H]

Thanks Grant, the pathos is bit rich for me, I am very impressed with the PrimaLuna EVO 100, if I can't find a way round the other issues I may go back to that

Mike

[walpurgis]

I've never owned an amplifier with a built in DAC. I don't think I'd opt for one as the DAC is the probably part that would become out of date quickest. My preference would be for a separate amp and DAC where possible.

[Mike - H]

Thanks Geoff, I would prefer the built in DAC but it would not be a deal breaker.

[Bonky]

I've never owned an amplifier with a built in DAC. I don't think I'd opt for one as the DAC is the probably part that would become out of date quickest. My preference would be for a separate amp and DAC where possible.

Agreed.

If I had to buy another Int Amp I'd get an Exposure 2510.

R

[Macca]

Hi Martin, I was meaning replaced in the model line up, leaving me wishing I'd waited.

Mike

Ah right, bit thick of me.

I'd get a separate DAC - thing with having a DAC built in to the amp, if the DAC goes faulty it won't be possible to fix or won't be worth the money of fixing, and if you ever want to sell on then you've got to try to sell an amp with a faulty DAC in it and the value goes right down.

[hifinutt]

I wonder if the arcam a39 is ok for you? I think it has tape out ( record out) available at around 550 sh and there is one new at 790 if it's still available ( audio emotion) cracking amp for the money . I am a big arcam fan having 2 diva amps in use and great vfm

[Pieoftheday]

I wonder if the arcam a39 is ok for you? I think it has tape out ( record out) available at around 550 sh and there is one new at 790 if it's still available ( audio emotion) cracking amp for the money . I am a big arcam fan having 2 diva amps in use and great vfm
Sorry to thread crap, I've been looking for one of these for a while,ta for the heads up, just bought it:)

[Lawrence001]

Nice

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

[zanash]

no budget is mentioned ...so if I was looking I try the Nord acoustic, Nord one INT-TVC NC500

https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/product-page/nord-one-int-tvcnc500-super-integrated

[Mike - H]

Hi guys, I’m sorry for the huge delay in responding; it’s been bedlam round here. Well I did some more research, based largely your input and I settled on a purely analogue Yamaha A-S1200. No DAC, no streamer no digital input at all, with 70s looking switches and VU meters it also looks the dogs danglies for someone of my age.

The trouble started when it arrived damaged in transit, back it went but they had no more black ones in stock. Luckily, I left my money with them, fixing the price, because when the new stock finally arrived it had gone up nearly £500. It has been up and running a couple of days now and I’m very pleased with it. It is ever so slightly brighter sounding than my old XTZ, but nothing I can’t live with.

Sitting in my rack with a nice new Yamaha CDP it’s caused an itch, when the builders have finished tearing my house apart, I’m going to have to go and dig out my Yamaha cassette player and that big box of tapes. Anyway, thanks for your help and advice, particularly the bit about no onboard digital, I’m now a happy camper.

mike

[hifinutt]

thanks for update mike