Your favorite integrated amp(s) under £2000? Why?

[margetti]

Sonneteer Alabaster - just a good, honest, and very musical amplifier.

 

[DIB]

My current Creek 5350 amp.

Why? Besides sounding bloody great, I picked it up new for half the RRP price. That sort of deal always makes things sound sweeter.

.

 

[plastic penguin]

My current Creek 5350 amp.

Why? Besides sounding bloody great, I picked it up new for half the RRP price. That sort of deal always makes things sound sweeter.

.

Know what you mean. The Leema was almost half price (brand new), but my selection I was avoiding the obvious.

 

[plastic penguin]

Yes Al

im looking for a nice SS for my bro

I see. What sort of outlay are you looking at?

Surely the Electro amp would be a good buy for someone as I don't expect to have to service my amps that regularly?

Told him the used Electro is a better buy than a Nait 5si / Exposure 2010 / Rega Elex

So it should be given the new retail price of EC1-3 is around £2300, while the 5si is £1000, 2010 is about £600 and the Elex is £900.

 

[stevebrock]

Yes Al

im looking for a nice SS for my bro

I see. What sort of outlay are you looking at?

Surely the Electro amp would be a good buy for someone as I don't expect to have to service my amps that regularly?

Told him the used Electro is a better buy than a Nait 5si / Exposure 2010 / Rega Elex

So it should be given the new retail price of EC1-3 is around £2300, while the 5si is £1000, 2010 is about £600 and the Elex is £900.

PP - read back - the Electro ive found is £999 used - so at its price point is a steal

 

[matthewpiano]

Seeing as we seem to be including older models as well as current ones, my list would look something like this:

Pioneer A400

Marantz PM66SE

Creek 4330R

Exposure 1010

Naim Nait 3 (yes really!)

Rega Brio-R

Creek Destiny 2

Sugden Mystro

Sugden A21a

Arcam A38

Rega Elicit-R

 

[CnoEvil]

Icon Audio ST40

Electro ECI-3

Sugden A21

Pathos Classic one

 

[matthewpiano]

Yes Al

im looking for a nice SS for my bro

That was a very quick way to de-Rega your system Steve! From pretty much all-Rega to practically no Rega!

No digital sources?

 

[stevebrock]

Icon Audio ST40

Electro ECI-3

Sugden A21

Pathos Classic one

Not sure if I was ignorant ot not - but as soon as I heard the ST40 i knew it was the amp for me,shoudl I of demoed other valve amps? Maybe!! After the Elciit saga I did get a Creek Destiny and Primare i30 on home demo and they were both superb amps, but the ST40 just did it for me!

I smiled when I saw it on Cno's list.

Love my system now - everyting is just so.....well....engaging, the Kudos have just topped it all off.

that is all

 

[plastic penguin]

Forgot to add to my little list: Pioneer SA-706. Fantastic amp and sensational with Wharfedale speakers.

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

Sonneteer Alabaster - just a good, honest, and very musical amplifier.

it's about time...

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

Icon Audio ST40

Electro ECI-3

Sugden A21

Pathos Classic one

Not sure if I was ignorant ot not - but as soon as I heard the ST40 i knew it was the amp for me,shoudl I of demoed other valve amps? Maybe!! After the Elciit saga I did get a Creek Destiny and Primare i30 on home demo and they were both superb amps, but the ST40 just did it for me!

I smiled when I saw it on Cno's list.

Love my system now - everyting is just so.....well....engaging, the Kudos have just topped it all off.

that is all

you are getting away from Rega, don't run to much... :shifty:

was having a conversation the other day with my Rega dealer about the replacement of Rega DAC and after demo the New Saturn R.

Rega make wonderful sources, CD players, TT and Rega DAc for the price you can get better if you like analogue sounding DAC, or digital sources.

Thats way it's so difficult for me to up grade my DAC, until now...

 

[hifikrazy]

Unison Research Unico Secondo. Hybrid design that delivers a lovely combination of valve sweetness and solid state power... the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove.

 

[matthewpiano]

Unison Research Unico Secondo. Hybrid design that delivers a lovely combination of valve sweetness and solid state power... the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove.

I reckon I would love that going on your description. Actually the other Unison Research kit I've heard has bwwn fabulous.

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

Unison Research Unico Secondo. Hybrid design that delivers a lovely combination of valve sweetness and solid state power... the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove.

I had one in home demo the Unico Nuovo, it is a killer amp, just got the Pathos because it was a ex demo and at a price that only happens once in a life time... :cheer:

 

[bigfish786]

Currently loving my Leema Pulse. not a bad buy at £425.

Previous amp was a Arcam A70, which i personally found to be a cracking little amp. a bargain at £279.

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

Icon Audio ST40

Electro ECI-3

Sugden A21

Pathos Classic one

yes Pathos is a great sounding amp, love mine!

Detailed, never edgy, wonderful imaging ( the dyns top of ) great bass control, power is always avaiable, smoth and silky mid and upper treble, a joy that i can listen for hours. 8)

 

[MrReaper182]

My 90's sony 808es amplifier. I picked it up in mint condition for about 360 quid. Everything I play though it sounds crystal clear with amazing detail and no matter how fast or extreme the music gets it keeps up with the music very well indeed. I also really love the look of the 808es. If anyone finds one in good condition going for a reasonable price you should have a listen if you can.

 

[hifikrazy]

Unison Research Unico Secondo. Hybrid design that delivers a lovely combination of valve sweetness and solid state power... the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove.

I had one in home demo the Unico Nuovo, it is a killer amp, just got the Pathos because it was a ex demo and at a price that only happens once in a life time... :cheer:

Just spotted a demo unit Pathos Ethos going for the equivalent of GBP1850. If I was still using an integrated amplifier, I would certainly be giving that serious thought. Sounds like a lovely amp:

http://www.whathifi.com/review/pathos-ethos

 

[ErwinC]

Cyrus 8a with the PSX-R. No phono stage, sure, but it is a very capable amplifier, in a great form factor. Certainly not clinical to my ears.

+1

 

[eggontoast]

One of my favourite amps would be the Myryad MI120, lovely little amp. Another one that sticks in my mind is the Lecson Quattra.

 

[edplaysdrums42]

Croft Acoustics definately needs a mention. Fantastic gear for the money. I've been through a few amps and have really settled with the 25/7 combo. :cheers:

 

[crusaderlord]

I love my Arcam A38 - it recevied loads of praise when it was launched but as with most hifi it soon goes quiet on news and recommendations as other manufacturers release newer kit.

I have heard a handful of integrateds (naim, marantz, cyrus, cambridge audio, linn) at this price range (albeit note i purchased early on at £1100 when it was being discounted - now its more like £1600 - the price of a lot of hifi i note has gone up significantly over the last 3/4 years on amps and speakers especially - even for the same models) .

Anyway the Arcam is the 3rd amp by the company i have owned (A32 and A70 before) and this one is by far my favourite. Still has the comfortable sound of Arcam (i just dont like overly bright amps - Cyrus and Cambridge Audio) but this Arcam has more sparkle and clarity than the older A32 had and has amazing bass depth. One of its major pluses is its soundstage presentation and its depth and solidity of bass. Also i just like the style of it (in black) and the green display too.

I also separately bought an old style smaller black Arcam remote control to use with it and the cd - sad but true.

If i were to go buying an integrated amp now with the same money i still think i would end up with the Arcam, it just suits me sir. The Naim is another one i like, i felt it ran the Arcam close but the soundstage was more expansive with the Arcam and a bit more closed in on the Naim - still the latter has great rhythm. I do think the all in one Naim systems are great value though and may have been a viable alternative if i went into hifi from cold right now.

I love my set up - have done for 3 years with no sign of changing. The new Arcam dac is a new item and is superb too and i am a big fan of all the Neat Motive speakers. Certainly other set ups will match what i have, but i cant say for my taste i have heard any better. The one amp i have always wanted to try is Unico Research - i just have never had a local stockist to hear one.

 

[CnoEvil]

I love my Arcam A38 - it recevied loads of praise when it was launched but as with most hifi it soon goes quiet on news and recommendations as other manufacturers release newer kit.

As an Arcam lover, you should, if the chance presents itself, try the Electro ECI-3, as I think you'd get on with it.

 

[chebby]

I don't have any favourite as such. Two years with a Nait 5i was pretty good but I wouldn't do it again.

Near the top of my "must listen to one if I could ever afford to" list is the Sugden A21 and it would probably have to be with Harbeth P3ESRs. (A class A Accuphase amplifier with slot in DAC module is way beyond the budget in the title.)

Beyond that I have no interest in seperates. I suspect there is only a 'wafer' of difference between most £1000 - £2000 solid state class B amps unless they are deliberately 'voiced' to deviate from a straight line within audible thresholds.