Integrated amplifier recommendations?

[unmutual]

Looking for an integrated amp for my 2.1 system (Arendal 1723 Monitor S speakers with powered sub, CD and record player). My current amp is a Densen DM-10, 2x75W @8 ohms, I'm looking for something with more power and a dedicated subwoofer out.

Budget up to $1000 / €1000. Must be available in Europe.

 

[mike70]

AUDIOPHONICS AP310-P250NC Integrated Amplifier NCore NC252MP

Versatile and powerful, we offer you with AP310-P250NC an integrated amplifier with analog inputs to which you can add speakers to enjoy your music in the best possible way.

www.audiophonics.fr

 

[ZolaIII]

Judging by the bigger brother (without S) they are about 87 dB sensitive and not hard to drive. You should plug the port's and cross them standard at 80 Hz. My recommendation is Yamaha R-N 1000A but at the moment you won't find it in EU under 1400 €.

 

[mike70]

Today, the best price / performance ratio is in class D amplifiers ... by far.

Hypex modules are one of the best (with Purifi), audiophonics (based in France) have a spectacular client relationship, great warranty and fast delivery (I received products in 72 hours in the Netherlands).

Even more, you receive "credits" to use in future buys. That integrated at 600 euros is a very good option.

 

[ZolaIII]

Today, the best price / performance ratio is in class D amplifiers ... by far.

Hypex modules are one of the best (with Purifi), audiophonics (based in France) have a spectacular client relationship, great warranty and fast delivery (I received products in 72 hours in the Netherlands).

Even more, you receive "credits" to use in future buys. That integrated at 600 euros is a very good option.

Nope it's DSP correction for both speakers and room along with psy EQ (equal loudness compensation) to how we hear. It doesn't matter if it's G or H class or even older solid state A-B(or F) class as long as it performs well in all metrics and have enough power. First DSP part is not a problem, second and especially care free (automatically) it is. Not to be unfair the self filter at 105 Hz Buterrwor Q (0.71) adjusted to actual SPL can emulate it good enough to a low bass portion of psy correction and enough without correction in highs dowh to mid 60's program SPL but you do it by hand.

 

[melomane13]

your Densen DM-10 have 75 w 8 ohm, you must get at least 150w 8 ohm ( 3db) to make differences. but it is not possible today to find new integrated amplifier with more than 100w. So, at your place, i get preamplifier with subwoofer out and dsp, phono in, and power amplifier.
for exemple, https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/wiim-ultra-streamer-preamp-review.57342/
and https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/power-amplifiers/audiophonics-ap300-s500nc-p-18566.html

 

[mike70]

your Densen DM-10 have 75 w 8 ohm, you must get at least 150w 8 ohm ( 3db) to make differences. but it is not possible today to find new integrated amplifier with more than 100w. So, at your place, i get preamplifier with subwoofer out and dsp, phono in, and power amplifier.
for exemple, https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/wiim-ultra-streamer-preamp-review.57342/
and https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/power-amplifiers/audiophonics-ap300-s500nc-p-18566.html

The integrated I mention have more than 100 watts at 8 ohms ... check it out

 

[mike70]

Nope it's DSP correction for both speakers and room along with psy EQ (equal loudness compensation) to how we hear. It doesn't matter if it's G or H class or even older solid state A-B(or F) class as long as it performs well in all metrics and have enough power. First DSP part is not a problem, second and especially care free (automatically) it is. Not to be unfair the self filter at 105 Hz Buterrwor Q (0.71) adjusted to actual SPL can emulate it good enough to a low bass portion of psy correction and enough without correction in highs dowh to mid 60's program SPL but you do it by hand.

what I said is that the prices and performance you find today in class D makes them unbeatable in the price / performance ratio.

Please, find me one integrated amp with that power and almost SOTA performance at 600 euros. One only

 

[ZolaIII]

what I said is that the prices and performance you find today in class D makes them unbeatable in the price / performance ratio.

Please, find me one integrated amp with that power and almost SOTA performance at 600 euros. One only

Sure, Dynacord L1300FD for about 700€. It performs only adequately at about 80 dB SINAD (ADC and internally purposefully limited) but it has built in DSP crossover (including high pass for line out), 10 PEQ's and FIR. Gives sustainability 240W @8 Ohms and good for reactive short bursts loads at 2 Ohms. Take a look inside it's very quality made in A-F typology and line goes beyond what ever SoM amps will ever even dream of giving regarding output.

 

[mike70]

Sure, Dynacord L1300FD for about 700€. It performs only adequately at about 80 dB SINAD (ADC and internally purposefully limited) but it has built in DSP crossover (including high pass for line out), 10 PEQ's and FIR. Gives sustainability 240W @8 Ohms and good for reactive short bursts loads at 2 Ohms. Take a look inside it's very quality made in A-F typology and line goes beyond what ever SoM amps will ever even dream of giving regarding output.

It's far from SOTA performance

 

[Timcognito]

This Yamaha comes on sale quite often here in the US.

 

[unmutual]

AUDIOPHONICS AP310-P250NC Integrated Amplifier NCore NC252MP

Versatile and powerful, we offer you with AP310-P250NC an integrated amplifier with analog inputs to which you can add speakers to enjoy your music in the best possible way.

www.audiophonics.fr

Does anyone here have first hand experience with this amp? Looks like a good candidate!

 

[unmutual]

This Yamaha comes on sale quite often here in the US.

View attachment 439069

This, too, looks nice, but is twice the price of the Audiophonics AP-310 mentioned above, from what I can see.

 

[Mikig]

If you are a bit of a traditionalist, you can find many options by looking in used. I would go for a Yamaha AS-2000, replaced by the 2200, which you can easily find under a thousand euros, or a Musical Fidelity M5 which you can find around that price. You could also try a Quad system with a pre/power amplifier like the 77 or 99. You can find them in pairs for around 500/600 euros. If you like new, there are valid alternatives in class D or with the TPA3255. You can do practically everything with them at reasonable prices. If you want to stay on A/B, you can often find Yamaha 801 or RN on offer at those prices, or even something from Rotel.

 

[Blumlein 88]

Does anyone here have first hand experience with this amp? Looks like a good candidate!

I don't have first hand experience. However it uses a Hypex NC252MP class D module in it. Makers might cringe at what I am about to say, but today's class D amps are spectacularly good. As long as you don't make mistakes they provide excellent performance. Audiophonics has a very good reputation and make nicely thought out products with an attractive look to them. Were I in the market for this I wouldn't be concerned with that brand. It will do the job you need done quite nicely.

 

[ZolaIII]

It's far from SOTA performance

OTA well people around hire in double blind tests come to conclusion that you can hear even less than that.

 

[Timcognito]

This, too, looks nice, but is twice the price of the Audiophonics AP-310 mentioned above, from what I can see.

Agree and Audiophonics is good brand but no phono,no BT, no hdmi, no NAS connectivity, no S/PDIF, no USB, no Ethernet, no Room correction, no central app/dashboard to run everything from your chair and tablet/phone. It often goes on sale for 30-40% off and could be overkill for your needs.

 

[digitalfrost]

NAD C 3050 is beautiful and has what you need. It lists for 1500€ on the homepage, but you can get it slightly over 1000€.

Check the manual: https://nadelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/C3050-OM-ENG-v07.pdf

Measurements (of the LE model, but non LE sould be the same?):

SoundStageNetwork.com | SoundStage.com - NAD C 3050 LE Integrated Amplifier-DAC Measurements

www.soundstagenetwork.com

https://nad.de/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/STEREO-3-23_NAD_C_3050_LE-Verstaerker.pdf

And it looks like this:

Other options would be:

- IOTAVX SA40
- Sonos Amp
- Yamaha A-S701
- Cambridge Audio AXR100

But the NAD is my favorite. I don't even need a new amp nor do I have space for it, but I want it regardless. It looks fantastic.

 

[mike70]

OTA well people around hire in double blind tests come to conclusion that you can hear even less than that.

But I don't pay more for that performance ... if it's the same, I buy the cheaper ... and I get the "extra good engineering" for free. Capisci?

 

[ZolaIII]

NAD C 3050 is beautiful and has what you need. It lists for 1500€ on the homepage, but you can get it slightly over 1000€.

Check the manual: https://nadelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/C3050-OM-ENG-v07.pdf

Measurements (of the LE model, but non LE sould be the same?):

SoundStageNetwork.com | SoundStage.com - NAD C 3050 LE Integrated Amplifier-DAC Measurements

www.soundstagenetwork.com

https://nad.de/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/STEREO-3-23_NAD_C_3050_LE-Verstaerker.pdf

And it looks like this:

Other options would be:

- IOTAVX SA40
- Sonos Amp
- Yamaha A-S701
- Cambridge Audio AXR100

But the NAD is my favorite. I don't even need a new amp nor do I have space for it, but I want it regardless. It looks fantastic.

You got my attention. It's a looker, doesn't perform very good but it does adequately (84. 5 dB SINAD, 91 DAC). Question is for you does it have high pass or self filter adjustable for sub out? Is MDC2 Blue Sound module the only one and is Dirac Live on it? Is it optional and what's the final cost with both of it even if you catch the amplifier for 1000€? For me worst part is only one analog input. Of course it doesn't have equal loudness compensation.