Integrated Amp with HT bypass

[ROB2009]

I'm looking to demo integrated amps that have a HT bypass mode, budget circa £1000.

Source is Spotify premium via a Sonos Connect, I don't have a separate Dac so will use what's built into the Sonos. My music preferences are generally jazz, blues and acoustic but do listen to other genres occasionally.

Current thoughts are:-

Music Fidelity M3Si (thanks Cno), Abrahamsen V2.0 UP, Roksan K3 and the new Cyrus One when it's released. Mostly from different dealers so difficult to demo side by side.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi ROB2009

Hegel's H80 amp/DAC is also worth a look. Take digital out from the Sonos and into the H80's DAC.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Peter Kudelstaart]

As you already have Marantz equipment this Marantz integrates well with your set. You may also consider a second hand PM7003, 8003 or 7004 as they too have ht passthrough or Power amp direct as Marantz calls this.

 

[CnoEvil]

Hi Rob

The 35i does not have HT Bypass, though most of the rest of the range does eg M3si

I think Creek does and I also believe the Rega Elicit does (Direct), but the Elex doesn't...it doesn't help that they all call it different things.

 

[ROB2009]

I'm getting used to the different terminology for the function.

I'm sure all different options sound great in isolation, trick is sorting out home demo's side by side if you can!

 

[CnoEvil]

Arcam call it "Processor Mode", but as far as I can tell, it's only on the A49
I think Creek call it "AV Direct".
Musical Fidelity just label it "HT".

*SCRATCH*

 

[Leeps]

Bit of a non-mainstream product in Europe anyway, but the Wyred4Sound mINT (Mini Integrated) offers 100wpc, HT bypass, digital inputs and a headphone amp along with Marmite looks.

I will confess to not hearing one, but it does tick some of your boxes.

 

[jordanfx]

i use pioneer a50 works a treat.

 

[manicm]

The forthcoming Cyrus One will also have HT bypass, no digital inputs alas.

 

[Andrewjvt]

The forthcoming Cyrus One will also have HT bypass, no digital inputs alas.

For the price it seems great value. Not sure if its 8 or 6 ohms quoted power though. But for that price you could add a good dac and have good value

 

[ROB2009]

It's definitely a contender, available late summer....but can I wait that long!

Would be nice to have an in built Dac but I guess it gives me more flexibility etc...

 

[Blacksabbath25]

It's definitely a contender, available late summer....but can I wait that long!

Would be nice to have an in built Dac but I guess it gives me more flexibility etc...

hi was it you who looked into buying a abrahamsen 2up

 

[ROB2009]

Yes it was, it's still a possibility along with the Hegel h80 and Cyrus. Still looking into the compatibility / controllability with the Logitech Harmony remote, and switching between modes.

 

[Andrewjvt]

Yes it was, it's still a possibility along with the Hegel h80 and Cyrus. Still looking into the compatibility / controllability with the Logitech Harmony remote, and switching between modes.

Out of cyrus, hegel h80 and abrahamsen i personally would take the abrahamsen out of the 3.

 

[Blacksabbath25]

Yes it was, it's still a possibility along with the Hegel h80 and Cyrus. Still looking into the compatibility / controllability with the Logitech Harmony remote, and switching between modes.

Out of cyrus, hegel h80 and abrahamsen i personally would take the abrahamsen out of the 3.

it would be a lot cheaper to buy the abrahamsen against the other amps not that I have herd a Hegel yet so that one is hard to say but value for money the abrahamsen is the way to go . Hi Andrew how's that lovely Hegel h360 going got them speakers yet ?

 

[Andrewjvt]

Yes it was, it's still a possibility along with the Hegel h80 and Cyrus. Still looking into the compatibility / controllability with the Logitech Harmony remote, and switching between modes.

Out of cyrus, hegel h80 and abrahamsen i personally would take the abrahamsen out of the 3.

it would be a lot cheaper to buy the abrahamsen against the other amps not that I have herd a Hegel yet so that one is hard to say but value for money the abrahamsen is the way to go . Hi Andrew how's that lovely Hegel h360 going got them speakers yet ?

Im getting atcs in about 6 weeks time so the 360 is just sitting idle and its bad without music atm. I cant wait though

 

[Blacksabbath25]

Yes it was, it's still a possibility along with the Hegel h80 and Cyrus. Still looking into the compatibility / controllability with the Logitech Harmony remote, and switching between modes.

Out of cyrus, hegel h80 and abrahamsen i personally would take the abrahamsen out of the 3.

it would be a lot cheaper to buy the abrahamsen against the other amps not that I have herd a Hegel yet so that one is hard to say but value for money the abrahamsen is the way to go . Hi Andrew how's that lovely Hegel h360 going got them speakers yet ?

Im getting atcs in about 6 weeks time so the 360 is just sitting idle and its bad without music atm. I cant wait though

yes I know that feeling you could buy some cheap secondhand speakers so your got some music to listen too i have some Dali 3s in the attic if you want some cheap speakers . I would love to hear the 360 one day

 

[Andrewjvt]

Yes it was, it's still a possibility along with the Hegel h80 and Cyrus. Still looking into the compatibility / controllability with the Logitech Harmony remote, and switching between modes.

Out of cyrus, hegel h80 and abrahamsen i personally would take the abrahamsen out of the 3.

it would be a lot cheaper to buy the abrahamsen against the other amps not that I have herd a Hegel yet so that one is hard to say but value for money the abrahamsen is the way to go . Hi Andrew how's that lovely Hegel h360 going got them speakers yet ?

Im getting atcs in about 6 weeks time so the 360 is just sitting idle and its bad without music atm. I cant wait though

yes I know that feeling you could buy some cheap secondhand speakers so your got some music to listen too i have some Dali 3s in the attic if you want some cheap speakers . I would love to hear the 360 one day 

I had some cheap wharfedale 220s for the meantime but decided to return them.

Yes one day we will have to sort a demo of the 360. You are always most welcome to come for a test. Best once ive finished the kit speakers in about 4 - 6 months

 

[ROB2009]

It does tick the boxes spec wise....unfortunately it has a face only a mother could love!

 

[ROB2009]

Hi, does anyone have any experience of the Peachtree nova150 amp?

 

[Leeps]

Sadly no, but the Peachtree Nova 150 is a nice looking bit of kit. A handy smattering of digital and analogue inputs and usefully they've brought back the Home Theatre Bypass input that was missing on the 125SE and 220SE. They also seem to have paid a lot of attention to the headphone output too, although it's noteworthy that the tube buffer has no longer been included; a long-standing feature of Peachtree amps.

There aren't too many dealers in the UK, but one I noticed online also stocks the Wyred4Sound mINT, which is similarly specced and compared to the previous generation Peachtrees was, according to one review, a little better timed, details and a little more forward. But the new gen Peachtrees, particularly sans-tube might have a different sonic signature this time round.

But at almost £1k more for another 30wpc, the Hegel H180 looks a little expensive on paper.

 

[Leeps]

Think the Peachtree nova150 and Hegel h80 are roughly the same price.

Yes but I think the Hegel H180 has HT bypass, the H80 doesn't. Rega are similar. The Elex-R doesn't have it, but its pricier sister the Elicit-R does.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Yes but I think the Hegel H180 has HT bypass, the H80 doesn't.

Hi Leeps

H160, H360 have HT direct input and one of the H80's two analogue inputs can be configured to a HT direct input.

Btw, as of summer 2014 the H80 also incorporates pre amp output.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[ROB2009]

Think the Peachtree nova150 and Hegel h80 are roughly the same price.

The new Audiolab M-ONE integrated amp looks nice but no HT bypass...

 

[Leeps]

Yes but I think the Hegel H180 has HT bypass, the H80 doesn't.

Hi Leeps

H160, H360 have HT direct input and one of the H80's two analogue inputs can be configured to a HT direct input.

Btw, as of summer 2014 the H80 also incorporates pre amp output.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

Stand corrected Rick. Is there some kind of switch on the back that changes it from a standard input to a power amp only?