Help - Best amp with built in DAC for less than 3000 pounds

[scubasteve]

That is all i need. it will drive B&W 805s speakers.

Source is digital lossless from apple TV or CD digital from oppo BD83 (i also have a cyrus CD8x in the cupboard unused)

The amp will drive the front speakers in a 7.1 HT setup. A HTM4s Centre speaker and 4 * MA rears will be driven by an onkyo 905.

The room is 8 by 5 metres. music is mix of jazz/pop/rock. I like a nice warm sound.

I can also consider buying a new receiver if that makes sense (arcam 600)

 

[the record spot]

Maybe worth having a look at the Harman Kardon HK990 amp - built in DAC, 150wpc, around £1000. Excellent by all accounts and close to your requirements too I think.

http://www.thehomecinemacentre.co.uk/index.php/hi_fi/hi-fi_amplifier/harman_kardon_hk990/

 

[Andrew Everard]

Or the SuperNait...

 

[scubasteve]

The supernait is appealing but you guys only give it 4 stars which is a worry as i have always put a lot of faith in your reviews.

i have also thought about the accuphase e450 but cannot find any reviews of it.

do you think the Harmon is upto the job?

 

[the record spot]

HK990 - I'd have thought so, with ease. 88db speaker, though I see it's only rated for amps between 50-120 watts. Check that out as the HK990 is 150wpc. Never having heard either, it's worth you asking around. The Home Cinema Centre guys may carry the B&Ws so might have heard them together. They might drop by later.

 

[TheHomeCinemaCentre]

The 990 will easily run your speakers and will be a good lift from the Onkyo if you are using that at the moment. It has an AV bypass facility which will help no end in setting the system up. You can route the sub through the Harman as well should you wish a bit of extra bottom end in 2ch - it will still work in a 5.1 set up. There is also room eq split over the bass/mid/treble should you need it.

It is a superb amp and performs way beyond it's price point. Read around and you will find plenty agree . It is certainly worth a demonstration.

 

[the record spot]

See?

 

[scubasteve]

looks like the HK990 is not available in my country currently

 

[chebby]

scubasteve:i have also thought about the accuphase e450 but cannot find any reviews of it.

The only UK review of Accuphase I have read in recent years was the November 2008 Hifi+ review of the E213 (now replaced by the E250).

I cannot find an online version of the review (and nor could I post a link here if there were one) but it was highly favourable.

The E450 has two 'option' card slots in the back for their DAC modules but, last time I looked, the Accuphase DAC-20 modules cost about £950 each and only have one optical and one coax on each card.

Either way, the E450 is way outside your stated budget at $5400.(before adding DAC modules)

There are a couple of UK dealers but they don't show prices.

 

[scubasteve]

Thanks Chebby. i can get the accuphase for around 3500 so is still tempting. although it does not look like it has HT bypass.

Any thoughts on the Bel canto s300i

 

[John Duncan]

I don't understand how you're proposing to set this all up - if you're using an Oppo for CD replay, it has to go through the receiver's DAC anyway (so that it knows about the other four channels), so having one in your amp is pointless...

 

[jockey.wilson]

Cyrus Pre XPdQx plus X Power...

Both take up the space of a normal sized amp (due to half width) and comes in at under 3000 pounds...

 

[Anonymous]

JohnDuncan:I don't understand how you're proposing to set this all up - if you're using an Oppo for CD replay, it has to go through the receiver's DAC anyway (so that it knows about the other four channels), so having one in your amp is pointless...

Not if you intend to use a dedicated stereo setup for music...

 

[John Duncan]

Fahnsen:
JohnDuncan:I don't understand how you're proposing to set this all up - if you're using an Oppo for CD replay, it has to go through the receiver's DAC anyway (so that it knows about the other four channels), so having one in your amp is pointless...

Not if you intend to use a dedicated stereo setup for music...

Which is why I'm asking him how he proposes to set it up - separate digital out from the Oppo for CD replay to DVD replay? What about the apple TV - using the video capability or not (since there's only one HDMI and one optical)?

 

[jaxwired]

This Bryston B100ST can be purchased with a built in DAC. The Bryston DAC is considered one of the very best on the market. This one box solution would cost you a little over your budget at £4000, but if you scout around you find it for less. If you went for this, you'd be set for quite a long time...

http://whathifi.com/Review/Bryston-B100SST/

 

[caddyhound]

The Lyngdorf TDAi 2200 is a digital amplifier with 4 digital inputs (and 200 wpc into 8 ohms).The room perfect option is the icing on the cake.I got mine from a reliable supplier for very little more than your budget,and the Room perfect works brilliantly in my awkward room.

 

[scubasteve]

Thanks guys fo rthe advise. the setup will be a little complicated.

1 oppo for CD stereo. coaxial digital out to the coaxial in on the amp

2. Apple TV for movies - HDMI to Onkyo, pre out to amp hdmi to TV

3. apple tv for music - optical out to optical in on amp, component out direct to TV. nothing to onkyo

4. Oppo for movies - hdmi to onkto, pre out to amp, hdmi to TV.

i think makes sense and will work. it is not perfect. worse case i add a squeeze box for audio and stream lossless from the PC and use apple TV just for movies etc.

 

[Craig M.]

moon i3.3? you mentioned you're after a warm sound, the moon should deliver that.

 

[drummerman]

scubasteve:
The supernait is appealing but you guys only give it 4 stars which is a worry as i have always put a lot of faith in your reviews.

Strange. 'Only 4 stars' and you dismiss what many regard as one of the best integrateds on the basis of one review? - I'd like to say I wouldn't buy it personally, for similar reasons the WHreview marked it down for but plenty of users/reviewers would'nt agree. At least I used it myself though. - Surely, if you are planning to spend that much you owe it to yourself to go a little out of your way and try a few options ... ?

 

[Anonymous]

I love my Supernait, and purchased it after auditioning it with a wide variety of music and only a cursory look at various reviews.

Don't be put off by reviews after all they are someone else's opinion its you that will listen to it in your home not them, especially as you are spending that much coin you must audition..........

 

[Dan Turner]

MENISCUS:
I love my Supernait, and purchased it after auditioning it with a wide variety of music and only a cursory look at various reviews.

Don't be put off by reviews after all they are someone else's opinion its you that will listen to it in your home not them, especially as you are spending that much coin you must audition..........

I agree. I've just ordered a SuperNait having spent the weekend auditioning it, and I found it to be excellent. WHF may 'only' give it a 4 star review, but there are plenty of other reviews out there and they all seem to be very positive.

LINK REMOVED - House Rules

If your brief is 'Best amp with built in DAC for less than 3000 pounds' then the SuperNait seems to be an obvious contender.

 

[Ajani]

Dan Turner:WHF may 'only' give it a 4 star review, but there are plenty of other reviews out there and they all seem to be very positive.

Gentlemen, may I point out that 4 stars is in NO way a bad review!!!! WHF had some minor issues with the Supernait and dropped the fifth star as a result, if you agree with those issues then you may choose to buy something else... But you really should audition it first....

 

[Andrew Everard]

Ajani:Gentlemen, may I point out that 4 stars is in NO way a bad review!!!!

Exactly - which is why I suggested it in the first place.

 

[Dan Turner]

Ajani:
Dan Turner:WHF may 'only' give it a 4 star review, but there are plenty of other reviews out there and they all seem to be very positive.

Gentlemen, may I point out that 4 stars is in NO way a bad review!!!! WHF had some minor issues with the Supernait and dropped the fifth star as a result, if you agree with those issues then you may choose to buy something else... But you really should audition it first....

...and I put 'only' in inverted commas for that reason - I certainly wasn't saying that I view a 4 star review as a negative outcome.

Also I didn't realise links to other sites was a violation of house rules - sorry.

 

[scubasteve]

thanks guys. i have actually managed to find a second hand supernait (3 months old) that i can get for around 1700 pounds so it is right at the top of my list.

I am going to have a listen to the moon i3.3 and also the bel canto s300id.

any other ideas?