Need Help choosing integrated amp

**Audio.mike** · November 18, 2019, 04:09 PM

I recently bought a mint condition sonus faber venere S. However i can't demo them at home or at any dealers because the venere s was discontinued. I had the chance to listen my speaker with audio research tube set up and i was blown away but Audio research is way over my budget. I mainly listen to jazz, blue , soul and vocal. My budget is around 3500 €. The cheaper the better since i also have to get a CD player. I have done some research and my list are: accuphase e-270, musical fidelity m6si, rotel ra 1592 , a integerated Hegel or esoteric i-03 ( im getting a good deal but never heard of them before). Thanks

**joeinid** · November 18, 2019, 04:48 PM

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on the speakers

**Low325** · February 29, 2020, 12:04 PM

My vote goes to the h190 for that budget. It has great control of the woofers, and i thought it had an energetic top end. It also has a great dac and built in streamer and a number of digital inputs if needed. It’s a very capable integrated. I started demoing a h190 and eventually bought a h390 blindly after being impressed with the first demo. Also demo’d the Rotel but wasn’t so impressed. Good luck, and i hope you’ve already chosen...but you haven’t had further posts since for updates

**Mr Peabody** · February 29, 2020, 11:51 PM

I agree, Hegel would probably be my first choice with SF.

Esoteric would be a neutral sound. MF I find a bit warm with a plump bottom end.

I would scratch Rotel off the list, IMO, just not a fan. I have not heard Accuphase but many tend to like them a lot.

**Kuoppis** · March 2, 2020, 03:20 PM

Accuphase has a great reputation, but I have never owned one.

For my work I have a project system to take along, when I’m gone for longer periods of time. It’s an interesting one, a Lyngdorf TDAI-2170.

A DAC is in-built, so just connect your Laptop and off you go. It has room correction as well (that’s why I bought it, as it’s not possible to optimize acoustics in a hotel room). Mine comes with all sorts of interfaces to connect different media devices.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

**hifinutt** · March 3, 2020, 03:01 PM

heard the rotel 1572 a number of times with B&W and it was very accomplished , but never heard with SF . Hegel 390 recently impressed over a number of high end brands in a review . they seem to be gaining a great following so hegel integrated might be a good place to start

are you able to get to the audio show in Moscow in april ? lots of good systems will be there and you can hear systems for yourself

https://10times.com/hi-fi-highend

**13th Note HiFi Reviews** · March 3, 2020, 05:39 PM

I’d recommend Hegel but also consider a great class D amplifier. Nord in the UK makes tremendous class d power amps with hypex power modules - a Dutch firm. Lots of brands use them like bel canto and other brands but the guy who owns this firm bolts them in with an op amp and they sound terrific and are incredible value for money. I’m hoping to test some Hegel amps as I had a great chat to Hegels marketing manager at the Bristol HiFi show.

**Oscar** · March 7, 2020, 11:36 AM

Rotel 1572 is really awesome.

**joeinid** · March 7, 2020, 05:35 PM

Welcome Oscar

**bart** · March 7, 2020, 05:53 PM

A new candidate for all-in-one integrated is the NAD M33.
Uses the new super stable and quiet Purifi Eigentakt amp modules that Bruno Putzeys developped.
He was also the developper of the Hypex amp modules by the way, but has evolved a lot since then.
I've heard them and they are very promising.

**Shadowfax** · March 7, 2020, 05:53 PM

I recently purchased a Luxman 505uxII from Mike and am very happy and satisfied. Driving Dynaudio 82s to levels I never had before.

**Phil A** · March 7, 2020, 06:08 PM

I love my Hegel 190 I have in a secondary system and love it. The good thing about it is it has a built in DAC so you can start off with whatever transport you may have to play CDs.

**deangale123** · March 7, 2020, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by Kuoppis

Accuphase has a great reputation, but I have never owned one.

For my work I have a project system to take along, when I’m gone for longer periods of time. It’s an interesting one, a Lyngdorf TDAI-2170.

A DAC is in-built, so just connect your Laptop and off you go. It has room correction as well (that’s why I bought it, as it’s not possible to optimize acoustics in a hotel room). Mine comes with all sorts of interfaces to connect different media devices.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Hi just a quick question , there is a single XLR input on it what is that for ? Sorry just can't read the description . I love what room correction can do and I know Lyndorf have been doing it awhile.

Sent from my SM-T510 using Tapatalk

**Jack** · March 7, 2020, 07:05 PM

Looks like it says "Microphone" which would be for the room correction software microphone.

**Kuoppis** · March 7, 2020, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by deangale123

Hi just a quick question , there is a single XLR input on it what is that for ? Sorry just can't read the description . I love what room correction can do and I know Lyndorf have been doing it awhile.

Sent from my SM-T510 using Tapatalk

Yes, as Jack says that is the input for the mike to record the room correction data. The mike and a stand are part of the package.

The room correction is quite good, it really works.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

**neodinardo** · June 18, 2020, 05:27 AM

Is class D really better than A or AB? That’s the question I always have for myself. I have not been convinced yet. Perhaps the NAD M33 could sway me.

**CPP** · June 18, 2020, 06:50 AM

I'd say the Hegel, or a Naim Supernait 3

**Kuoppis** · June 18, 2020, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by deangale123

Hi just a quick question , there is a single XLR input on it what is that for ? Sorry just can't read the description . I love what room correction can do and I know Lyndorf have been doing it awhile.

Sent from my SM-T510 using Tapatalk

Yes, it’s for the microphone for recording the venue properties for the room correction.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

**neodinardo** · June 23, 2020, 11:41 AM

Hegel is a name I hear lots in reviews and forums lately. Are they that good?

**Low325** · June 25, 2020, 10:56 AM

I like their performance. It has a built in streamer, a number of digital inputs, and high current. Like with most HiFi, give your ears a listen. Hegel Integrated Amps are closer to “neutral” sounding...so a demo is highly recommended.

Originally Posted by neodinardo

Hegel is a name I hear lots in reviews and forums lately. Are they that good?

**bluegrassphile** · June 25, 2020, 04:18 PM

Aside from my INT 250 I'd go with the Naim Supernate 3 and their DAC.

**steve59** · June 26, 2020, 10:20 AM

I have a h360 and demoed the h190 and would recommend the h190-390 with the SF. With already bright or tipped up speakers the latest line from hegel might be to much of a good thing, but def a serious contender for warmer or hard to drive speakers.

**CPP** · June 26, 2020, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by steve59

I have a h360 and demoed the h190 and would recommend the h190-390 with the SF. With already bright or tipped up speakers the latest line from hegel might be to much of a good thing, but def a serious contender for warmer or hard to drive speakers.

So is the Hegel 360 and or 390 neutral or do mean mean its leaning towards bright. Just wondering, thanks

**steve59** · June 27, 2020, 08:04 AM

I think if you listen to the 300 then the 360 and lastly the h390 you'll notice a trend towards better resolution that will offer more information, but depending on the speaker whether that will come off as bright. I was comparing with a pair of salons and the added detail was well handled by the speakers.

**Mike** · June 27, 2020, 09:26 AM

In your budget, get a NAIM SN3. Later add the Hi-Cap DR. Naim also makes a nice CD player.

**Petzzz** · July 17, 2020, 12:30 PM

Paired my old SF Cremona Auditors with an Accuphase E450 and was happy with it for a decade... depends on what you listen to, this pairing it’s very satisfying as you can listen to it for hours without fatigue.

**steve59** · July 23, 2020, 08:42 AM

Hopefully we give you a list you can home demo? I have an h360 you can try if you're local.

oops, Russia isn't local. anyone wants to try the h360 that's an active member here, the offer stands as my current speakers are actives and the hegel is waiting for me to make plans for it.

**marvda1** · July 27, 2020, 03:23 PM

Check out the Norma integrateds from Italy.

**Jim Smith** · July 27, 2020, 06:20 PM

Depending on the seller, it may be slightly too much of a stretch, but a used Pass Labs INT-60 would be awesome in terms of sheer musical involvement. I have been amazed at how many tracks that I thought I knew, but I simply hadn't felt their impact yet.

Bought my INT-60 from Mike and it was a best buy, IMO.

Best wishes for a good purchase!

**bzr** · July 28, 2020, 04:51 AM

Originally Posted by Jim Smith

Depending on the seller, it may be slightly too much of a stretch, but a used Pass Labs INT-60 would be awesome in terms of sheer musical involvement. I have been amazed at how many tracks that I thought I knew, but I simply hadn't felt their impact yet.

Bought my INT-60 from Mike and it was a best buy, IMO.

Best wishes for a good purchase!

This is such a great reply form someone that has helped so many. Even you can share the love from someone that has given you the opportunity to experience something that they think is very worthy

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