Amped!

TK421

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Oct 30, 2020
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Evening all,
I've been looking at several ways of changing up my hi-fi set up and one of the units i've been thinking of swapping is the amp. I've come close to buying a few but there's always been something that's stopped me.
In a an ideal world, i would like an amp with :

Obligatory criteria :
- DAC
- Tone controls
- Phono stage
- Sub out
- An AUX output
- Record out

Extra criteria but not deal breakers :
- Integrated bluetooth
- Not too deep so i can fit it in or on my cabinet (30cm max)

I don't want to spend more than a grand so can anyone match these criteria with something out there?
 

TK421

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Oct 30, 2020
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Close...but too big (depth). Appreciate the suggestion though.

- The IOTAVX SA3 came close but no AUX out and no bluetooth (and not very powerful without the PA3)
- The Arcam A19 also came close but no tone controls
 

newlash09

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Aug 28, 2015
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Evening all,
I've been looking at several ways of changing up my hi-fi set up and one of the units i've been thinking of swapping is the amp. I've come close to buying a few but there's always been something that's stopped me.
In a an ideal world, i would like an amp with :

Obligatory criteria :
- DAC
- Tone controls
- Phono stage
- Sub out
- An AUX output
- Record out

Extra criteria but not deal breakers :
- Integrated bluetooth
- Not too deep so i can fit it in or on my cabinet (30cm max)

I don't want to spend more than a grand so can anyone match these criteria with something out there?

Apart from being big, deep and expensive - parasound halo integrated or the newer parasound hint 6
 
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By wanting all eggs in one basket when they could be added separately onto a decent amplifier is always going to be a limitation on choice and quality.
All of that kit done to a budget means something is going to suffer.
Get separate DAC would be my advice and even a separate phono stage.
I can't think of anything that covers all requirements for that sort of budget.
 
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newlash09

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The Hint 6 is what I am next looking at purchasing.

Hello sir :)

I had the previous model hint. Loads of power, but doesn't show it unless required. Absolutely neutral, but felt it had a slightly tapered top end, which added a sense of mellowness to the music. Just sounds like a straight wire with gain, with Absolutely no colouration, apart from that mellowness I mentioned above :)
 
D

Deleted member 116933

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I think second hand will be your friend here I’d get a separate dac as all ears suggested.

And hifis are deeper than 30cm in most cases today. Especially if everything is one box.




Are you sure you can’t fit in anymore than 30cm? Is that with cables attached? And plugs

Perhaps a naim uniqute2 14mm over your size.

Or maybe a blue sound power node2 but you’ll need to add a phone stage to both these options
 

TK421

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Oct 30, 2020
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The Denon PMA seems to have good reviews and quite a few of my requirements..
The PMA600 has integrated bluetooth and a sub out (not that I want a sub)
The PMA800 is more powerful but no bluetooth..
The PMA800 is currently cheaper than the 600 which is probably due to demand..

Should I try the 800 over the 600 hoping that they'll drive the Dynaudios better?
 
The Denon PMA seems to have good reviews and quite a few of my requirements..
The PMA600 has integrated bluetooth and a sub out (not that I want a sub)
The PMA800 is more powerful but no bluetooth..
The PMA800 is currently cheaper than the 600 which is probably due to demand..

Should I try the 800 over the 600 hoping that they'll drive the Dynaudios better?
That might be a good idea, Bluetooth can be added with an extra bit of equipment.
 
D

Deleted member 160668

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Far too prescriptive a list imo and you are massively limiting yourself.

Lose BT as a requirement (it's poor anyway and can easily be added cheaply).
Depth - why? Is is on a shelf. If in a cabinet can you cut a slot so the back hangs out but can't be seen?
Tone controls? Really? Most decent amps dont have these.
Buy a separate DAC.

The world is then your oyster and you will likely end up with a better result.

On that basis, good luck, but I can't help.
 

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