Recommend me my next solid state integrated ...

KobeeDog said:
The Roksan BT looks good, but honestly, I would never use the bluetooth functionality.
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The aptx Bluetooth functionality is absolutely killer. When streaming from another aptx compatible device, you're getting CD quality via Bluetooth. In comparison to a $2,500 CD player with $400 interconnect, the aptx Bluetooth is pretty much on par. Perhaps not quite, but extremely close. Great for streaming TIDAL and more.

Now, there's nothing saying you have to use the Bluetooth at all. The K2 BT is a great integrated amp for the money regardless of that feature. It also has a very good MM phono stage built-in.
 
I truly appreciate the input. But... respectfully, paying for functionality that one would never use doesn't really make fiscal sense.

In some ways, all that extra circuitry and RF stuff inside the unit may actually be a detriment, if one weren't using it. I could be wrong though.

I'm sure, though for a lot of users the bluetooth would definitely be a major plus!
 
I have a Hegel H80 and I love it. I plan soon to move up the scale a bit. And I want to experience tubes. The Hegel grips my speakers with authority on low frequencies and is always very musical. I suppose it wouldn't sell for much more than $1500 USD given how the currency has strengthened against the Euro and Krona. In fact, it occurs to me that a lot of U.S. audiophiles might be smart to try to grab inventory in Canada that has not caught up with the 25% fall in the C$.
 
KobeeDog said:
I truly appreciate the input. But... respectfully, paying for functionality that one would never use doesn't really make fiscal sense.

In some ways, all that extra circuitry and RF stuff inside the unit may actually be a detriment, if one weren't using it. I could be wrong though.

I'm sure, though for a lot of users the bluetooth would definitely be a major plus!
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Actually, the Roksan K2 BT is only modestly more money than the straight K2 and comes with a number of improvements/refinements that easily justify the slight increase in price. The BT model isn't just the same amp with Bluetooth. There are considerable changes. So, whether you use the Bluetooth or not, you can basically consider it free.
 
A further recommendation from a current Hegel owner (I have the H-200 integrated): I think you can find a used H-80 or H-100 somewhere near your price range. These have the added advantage of a built-in DAC (Hegel makes good ones) and have plenty of power for most speakers. It's definitely going to be a different sound than you're used to hearing with your tube amps, but Hegels amplify very evenly across the whole frequency spectrum. Excellent detail, excellent imaging, excellent balance. We'll all be interested to know what you decide on.
 
rbbert said:
I would be curious to know which models come in under $1500, even used? :happy:
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Lets be fair no one mentioned budget or $1,500 till after I posted Ayre and Burmester as far as doing audio on a budget not my area sorry. Find a dealer that works in that area price wise. It can be done I just have no idea how to do it.
 
Why not used? I like my Bedini BA-803. Or why not an older Jeff Rowland amp? I use a model 5 that works well with my Acoustats. Or a refurbed Threshold 400a?

That said, my Ray Lumley M-100 tube amps with KT-120's kick the butts of these amps in almost every way (cost 3x more).
 
Garth said:
Lets be fair no one mentioned budget or $1,500 till after I posted Ayre and Burmester as far as doing audio on a budget not my area sorry. Find a dealer that works in that area price wise. It can be done I just have no idea how to do it.
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Hey Garth the OP in his first post noted
I'm looking at a budget of around 1-1.5k (new or used)
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The Ayre and Burmester would be a nice addition to anyone's system.
 
Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions and input. After a long decision making process (and an excellent price from a very helpful dealer), I ordered one of these:

AX-501 | TEAC
 
I will for sure. Going to be interesting going from just a few watts, to a lot.
 
So I've had the TEAC since Friday and I've managed to put maybe 15 hours on it. I have to say I'm pretty happy with the sound of it. It doesn't at all sound like the few Class D amps that I've owned. The ones I've had owned sounded warmish and rolled off on the top end, with very little sparkle in the highs. This sounds very balanced across the frequency spectrum.

Build wise it is very well put together, there is nothing to complain about quality wise. The volume pot is very precise, and has a nice, solid feel to it. Left/right channel tracking is absolutely perfect. The remote is solid feeling, and the volume up/down has a fluid action to it that doesn't scare you with sudden jumps in volume.

It is actually smaller in real life than it looks like in all the pictures. In fact, the yellow VU meters are so tiny, they are very hard to read even from a few feet away.

All in all, a worthy purchase.

Now to find the right speakers to match with it!
 
Well, the TEAC was a bit of a fail.

After about 1/2 a week of owning it, it constantly went into protection mode every time I changed a song.

Weird.

Back it went.
 
KobeeDog said:
Well, the TEAC was a bit of a fail.

After about 1/2 a week of owning it, it constantly went into protection mode every time I changed a song.

Weird.

Back it went.
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Sorry to hear. What speakers were you driving with the TEAC integrated?
 
cmalak said:
Sorry to hear. What speakers were you driving with the TEAC integrated?
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I tried 3 different speakers with it, it wasn't the speakers. I also tried 2 different DACs, as well as well as all the inputs on the amp. I even tried different IC's.

It was definitely the amp, if that's what you were getting at ;-)
 
So I decided to quit farting around and step up a bit to something of quality.

Picked up a McIntosh MA6600 integrated.
 
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