Best amp with built in DAC for around £1500

[Ben K.]

Any suggestions for integrated amp with built in DAC to partner monitor audio speakers and olive 03hd? £1500 or there abouts.

Thanks

 

[John Duncan]

Trouble is there aren't that many. The new primare would be a good call but frankly i think it's a bit dear. Personally i think i'd be looking at separate amps and dacs to get better value - eg a rega brio and dac might look quite nice side by side...

 

[plastic penguin]

Leema Pulse MKIII or Cyrus 8XPD spring to mind. JDs suggestion gives you a wider choice: Creek Destiny + DAC or A38 + DAC...

 

[chebby]

Leema Pulse III is about £1500 and has a bult in DAC with useful number of digital inputs. (2 x optical, 1 x coax S/PDIF, 1 x USB)

 

[CnoEvil]

Peachtree Nova is worth a listen to see if you like its presentation.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Keep an eye on the new Onkyo supposedly coming in at under £1500 - it's been designed as a downward extension of their Reference pre/power. We've had it in store putting it through it's paces a couple of months ago and it was more than happy driving KEF Reference 205/2's, which is pretty exceptional for a sub £3k amplifier!

 

[The_Lhc]

Any suggestions for integrated amp with built in DAC to partner monitor audio speakers and olive 03hd? £1500 or there abouts. Thanks

I thought one of the "criticisms" of the Olive 3 was that it didn't have a digital output?

 

[DavidNorway]

I dont know if its avalible in the uk but try to hear the Hegel H70 it is a very nice bit of kit that has all the features you ask for, also its only a 1000 pounds.Have a look at hegel.com. Good luck with your search.

 

[Anonymous]

I would demo an xtz. d100 with built in DAC, It is a beast. Can run in class A up to 50watts, then Class A/B after that. I think it would really love to have a word with the Monitor Audios.

I think they do a no obligation 30 day trial. Worth a shot?

 

[mitch65]

I would demo an xtz. d100 with built in DAC, It is a beast. Can run in class A up to 50watts, then Class A/B after that. I think it would really love to have a word with the Monitor Audios. I think they do a no obligation 30 day trial. Worth a shot?

you beat me to it! very good amp and an absolute bargain IMO and yes, you get either a demo for 2-3 weeks or you get a new one on a one months trial.

 

[oldric_naubhoff]

Can run in class A up to 50watts, then Class A/B after that.

wrong. it outputs 50W in class A or you can switch to class A/B operation for 110W of output, in which case bias is set (I presume) at a very low output level. still, 50W is really all you need for normal listening levels even with highly dynamic music.

one more thing about XTZ amp. there's a guy here with this amp and AFAIK he preferred it in class A. obviously crossover distortion must show it's effect on musical signal in this amp.

 

[Overdose]

Another alternative would be the HK990, plenty of power on tap, like the XTZ.

 

[DIB]

Another alternative would be the HK990, plenty of power on tap, like the XTZ.

I was going to suggest the Harman Kardon HK990 too. There is someone on that well known auction site selling them new for £649.99 incl Free P & P, which seems a really low price considering what everyone else is selling them for (£800-£1100).

.

 

[Inter_Voice]

In case you are interested in Leema Pulse III there is one in eBay for auction

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEEMA-Pulse-III-Integrated-Amplifier-DAC-Black-No-Reserve-srp-1595-00-/330612932438?_trksid=p5197.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D2%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D2847721263019097221#ht_1745wt_1189

 

[Anonymous]

Surprised no-one has mentioned the Cyrus 6XPd... Or even better, the 8XPd...

 

[Ben K.]

Any suggestions for integrated amp with built in DAC to partner monitor audio speakers and olive 03hd? £1500 or there abouts. Thanks

I thought one of the "criticisms" of the Olive 3 was that it didn't have a digital output?

Yes it was but since then it has been reviewed again and now has a digital output

 

[mitch65]

Can run in class A up to 50watts, then Class A/B after that.

wrong. it outputs 50W in class A or you can switch to class A/B operation for 110W of output, in which case bias is set (I presume) at a very low output level. still, 50W is really all you need for normal listening levels even with highly dynamic music.

one more thing about XTZ amp. there's a guy here with this amp and AFAIK he preferred it in class A. obviously crossover distortion must show it's effect on musical signal in this amp.

I too prefer class A. It's worth noting that the limiting factor whether in class a or auto mode is the amps temperature, in class a the amp will switch to class a/b at 65 degrees while auto mode switches to class a/b at 55 degrees. I've personally never had it switch to a/b so does not really run that hot.

 

[Ben K.]

Thanks for all the replies. I will look into these suggestions. My eventual aim is to get a higher quality sound than my marantz cd6003. If I was to go down the route of amp + dac, what sort of price dac would I be looking at to better the cd6003?

 

[Anonymous]

I would also recommend the XTZ - it's really a bargain

But the new Primare is also really really sexy... It would be my choice, if my budget was higher than the XTZ

 

[busb]

I've heard Primare's i32 at Oxford Acoustics & was stunned by the quality of it sound. At £2.2k with the optional DAC yet to be announced (imminent) - we are probably talking around £2k7 to £3k. Primare's i22 with its DAC option has been quoted by WHF as being £1590. Both these amps are class D so won't heat your listening area & will be cheap to run!

 

[Anonymous]

Another vote for XTZ 100D3.

I just got one myself and I'm stunned.

 

[nopiano]

I've heard Primare's i32 at Oxford Acoustics & was stunned by the quality of it sound. At £2.2k with the optional DAC yet to be announced (imminent) - we are probably talking around £2k7 to £3k. Primare's i22 with its DAC option has been quoted by WHF as being £1590. Both these amps are class D so won't heat your listening area & will be cheap to run!

I also rated the i32, as I wrote at the time, here: http://www.whathifi.com/forum/shows-manchester-2010-bristol-2011/what-impressed-you#comment-2584588

I'd definitely put its new baby brother on my listening shortlist. (I guess you mean Oxford Audio Consultants? Great dealer!)

 

[Anonymous]

I'd thumbs up the Peachtree Nova. Nicely made, quite wife friendly appearance. Also saves you a few bob.

HK990 is good but boy is it BIG. Nearly bought one until I realised it wouldn't physically fit in my equipment rack.

 

[busb]

(I guess you mean Oxford Audio Consultants? Great dealer!)

My IQ must have dipped below a certain level for that paragraph :help:

Oxford Audio did strike me as being above average - certainly better than the rather unfriendly recent visit to a dealer in Bath - my girlfriend was in an eccentric frame of mind & requested a glass of water which was ignored. I stated I was interested in a new amp - they had Naim & Cyrus or Cyrus & Naim - I won't be returning!

As for OAC's demo, I heard MF's M6i: fair detail & smooth but too placid for my tastes. Next came a Naim Supernait - a lot more punch & pretty good sound. Lastly, Primare's i32 driving a pair of Sonus Fabers from a Naim CDP as were the 1st 2. I was stunned by the quality - dynamics were great & the level of detail was extraordinary but unforced top end with bass that was deep! I want one but it will have to wait well into next year.

 

[bemaniac]

The outlaw rr2150 I just got has a built in DAC, mine's USA with a stepdown but they made a few UK models for import but it would probably cost you £700-800 due to the rarety but you could always email outlaw if you like the look of the antique things.