Amp with built-in DAC

[jipsom]

I can't seem to find any collated information online. I know Naim do a couple of options but they're pricey. I'm streaming from my Mac so don't need much else by way of inputs.

Any suggestions? Budget around £1000 (unless there's a cheaper option).

 

[CnoEvil]

You could look at Peachtree.

 

[drummerman]

Cambridge Audio, Cyrus, Exposure, BelCanto, Primare (Optional DAC module) and others ...

 

[jipsom]

Cambridge Audio, Cyrus, Exposure, BelCanto, Primare (Optional DAC module) and others ...

Would you recommend any of those? Listening to all of them will be unrealistic. I'd like to trim it down. Peachtree looking like a very good option

 

[drummerman]

Cambridge Audio, Cyrus, Exposure, BelCanto, Primare (Optional DAC module) and others ...

Would you recommend any of those? Listening to all of them will be unrealistic. I'd like to trim it down. Peachtree looking like a very good option

Never heard one but they look cool

 

[Al ears]

Cambridge Audio, Cyrus, Exposure, BelCanto, Primare (Optional DAC module) and others ...

Would you recommend any of those? Listening to all of them will be unrealistic. I'd like to trim it down. Peachtree looking like a very good option

Probably need to buy second hand for some on drummermans list so you are unlikely to get to hear them unless you happen to live near a very good dealer.

However there is a very good Primare i22 going for £1100 on Choice Hi-Fi website.

Although rare the Bronoco Diva can be found for half the price of a Peachtree.

 

[Jota180]

Check out the Yamaha range of amplifiers which come with inbuilt DACs. Good range of power at what would seem, very reasonable prices. From about a couple of hundred quid upwards.

http://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/audio-visual/hifi-components/amps/

 

[davedotco]

I have had hands on a Peachtree in a friend's setup. It is a very 'complete' amplifier that does everthing pretty well.

Probably not the most transparent or neutral but it has a quality about it that I like. Hard to describe, I hesitate to use the term warm because mostly this is applied to fat, bloated sounding compnents that I abhor, but like the better Sonus Faber speakers there is a 'naturalness' to it that is not remotely related to overblown bass.

One of my top 3 sub £1000 amplifiers.

 

[bluedroog]

XTZ A100 D3 - Class A100 D3 Silver - XTZ | Sound in balance

Harman Kardon HK 990

Leema Acoustics

 

[davedotco]

XTZ A100 D3 - Class A100 D3 Silver - XTZ | Sound in balance

Harman Kardon HK 990

Leema Acoustics

Fantastic spec, good reputation but I have never heard one.

 

[DocG]

+1 for the Peachtrees. The Nova65SE is within budget.

I like the HK990 too, but it's more expensive if you buy new. There are quite some of these amps going second hand nowadays though.

PS: no Pathos Logos then?

 

[bluedroog]

I think the HK and XTZ are very similar units in many respects, obviously the Leemas are in a higher price bracket.

The XTZs have a lot of fans, are very versatile and great value, as are their speakers. I recall the UK distributer ceased trading, I'm not sure if anyone took that role up but they can be ordered online direct from Sweeden.

 

[jipsom]

+1 for the Peachtrees. The Nova65SE is within budget.

I like the HK990 too, but it's more expensive if you buy new. There are quite some of these amps going second hand nowadays though.

PS: no Pathos Logos then?

Was thinking more Pathos CAlassic Remix...then my budget got cut

Might be able to get my hands on a Peachtree 220 for less than £1k so...that could be an option

Thanks for the other suggestions as well. Very helpful (this forum always is).

 

[DocG]

+1 for the Peachtrees. The Nova65SE is within budget.

I like the HK990 too, but it's more expensive if you buy new. There are quite some of these amps going second hand nowadays though.

PS: no Pathos Logos then?

Was thinking more Pathos CAlassic Remix...then my budget got cut

Might be able to get my hands on a Peachtree 220 for less than £1k so...that could be an option

Thanks for the other suggestions as well. Very helpful (this forum always is).

No it isn't. You're just lucky!*wink*

 

[jipsom]

+1 for the Peachtrees. The Nova65SE is within budget.

I like the HK990 too, but it's more expensive if you buy new. There are quite some of these amps going second hand nowadays though.

PS: no Pathos Logos then?

Was thinking more Pathos CAlassic Remix...then my budget got cut

Might be able to get my hands on a Peachtree 220 for less than £1k so...that could be an option

Thanks for the other suggestions as well. Very helpful (this forum always is).

No it isn't. You're just lucky!*wink*

Haha. Well. so far ;o)

 

[chebby]

Quad Vena.

 

[plastic penguin]

Leema Elements have the option of a built-in DAC.

 

[drummerman]

Micromega MyAmp

 

[expat_mike]

Might be able to get my hands on a Peachtree 220 for less than £1k so...that could be an option

Is this suitable?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peachtree-Nova-220SE-INT-Amplifier-/400976493600?hash=item5d5c0fbc20

 

[jipsom]

Might be able to get my hands on a Peachtree 220 for less than £1k so...that could be an option

Is this suitable?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peachtree-Nova-220SE-INT-Amplifier-/400976493600?hash=item5d5c0fbc20

Yeah, I've looked at that one. Trouble is I'll be in America next month and they're £1000 brand new so...

Thanks for pointing that one out, tho.

 

[Al ears]

Quad Vena.

Nice suggestion.

 

[CarlDW]

+1 for the Quad Vena.

I would also is listen to the Cambridge Audio CXA80. Nice looking amp, decent spec for the money.

 

[Reijer]

TEAC, Rotel, Cambridge Minx Xi.

 

[DCC]

I use a mini, and was in search of the same – a quality int. amp w/ b-i DAC. I'm very happy with I what I purchased, so much so I'm tempted to put "very" in all caps.

To make a short comment long, here goes. I live near Cape Town, so I've limited brand options and varying added import costs to factor depending on source country. I wanted something new because honestly what's better than an initial unboxing…well that and quality rigs with on board DAC aren't flooding the used bins here. I also wanted a trad look and feel. Maybe I'm missing out by being biased but I've yet to get keen on D class units, that ruled out the new mod NADs (that and their IMHO horrid looks) & the Peachtree(s). I did listen to both and liked what I heard.

I also needed/wanted min 70wtts per at 8....that kept the Marantz 6005 off the list. I really like the 6005, love it actually, and was about to pull the trigger but got delayed for some reason. In the meantime of course I found a great deal on better speakers. Don’t judge me, who doesn't flirt with other sounding speakers when out of the house.

I narrowed it down (tnx to this forum) to two rigs, which were readily available and fit the budget: the Cambridge Audio CXA80, retailed locally for appr. 750 pnds & the Onkyo A9070, retailed locally for apprx 909 pnds. I went with the CA for price, aesthetics, and honesty...Onkyo lists their power in 4 ohms. Of course I demo'd them both extensively on You Tube. Maybe it's me but I swear I couldn't hear any difference *lol*.

So far, so VERY good. The CXA is running in nicely with the new GX50s - I got power, punch, dynamics, detail...and tnx to the MA ribbon, some of the sweetest highs I've heard at this market level - they sing! Only one complaint so far with the amp...as there is no lit volume inicator and only a very very slight indicator on the v knob, it's dang near impossible to see the volume level once you step away from the unit.

The Cambridge Audio CXA80 is my suggestion, and it's well below a grand.

 

[rainsoothe]

OP: what speakers do you have? Music type and room size?