My integrated amplifier search

[sidvee]

I have been researching integrated amplifiers for my bedroom based system. The source will be a musical fidelity xray cd player and xdac v3 DAC, along with a m2tech converter for FLAC files over my laptop. Speakers will be Paradigm Studio 20v3.

So far the shortlist stands at:
1. Rega Brio R
2. Exposure 2010s2
3. Musical Fidelity m3i

I am also considering tube based integrateds as well, but mostly leaning towards SS for fuss free listening.
Esteemed Fm's, kindly suggest any other options upto 1 lac.
Auditioning is going to be hard, except maybe the 3rd one because no dealers for others here in hyd, but since this system will be used for non critical listening, am hoping to get away with reading reviews and soliciting user opinions.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[Nikhil]

Sid, the MF M3i was very decent when I heard it at Audio People.
Should be a good match with your CDP as well.

For a bedroom setup I would highly recommend a network receiver or adding something like an AppleTV (Optical Output) which will give you a lot of functionality for online content. My wife and I spend a lot of time on Youtube or online radio on our bedroom setup.

 

[sidvee]

For a bedroom setup I would highly recommend a network receiver or adding something like an AppleTV (Optical Output) which will give you a lot of functionality for online content.

Thanks Nikhil,
Plan to listen to internet jazz radio stations through my Laptop. I have used the m2tech hiface converter in the past and the MF xdac v3 is an excellent DAC, so hopefully sound will be decent.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[himadri]

So far the shortlist stands at:
1. Rega Brio R
2. Exposure 2010s2
3. Musical Fidelity m3i

Hi
Can this also be added to the list?It is supposed to sound 'tubelike' Audio Analogue Puccini
cheers

 

[sidvee]

Audio Analogue Puccini
cheers

Who is the dealer for this Himadri?
Cheers,
Sid

 

[himadri]

Who is the dealer for this Himadri?
Cheers,
Sid

No idea but the Audio analogue website posts the indian distributor as http://www.audioanalogue.com/rivenditori_area.php?ID_nazione=98
cheers

 

[asliarun]

Odyssey makes or used to make a minimalistic integrated amp called Cyclops that accepts one input. I've never had the opportunity to hear the amp but considering what others have to say about Odyssey amps in general, this has been on my wish-list for a while. Plus, the amp has such good specs that it should be able to control most speakers and sound musical. I think it is basically a Khartago combined with a passive pre (Etessian?), but I may be wrong.

Edit: I just realized from your sig that you have a Symphonic line amp and you probably know way more about Odyssey.
Please disregard my suggestion if it didn't make sense to you.

 

[rikhav]

Hi Sid
You can also consider Yamaha A-S2000. Its a true balanced design and is a high current amp
You can get a very good discount because unfortunately the amp does not sell well.

 

[sidvee]

Please disregard my suggestion if it didn't make sense to you.

No issues asliarun -all suggestions welcome. I did consider cyclops, but single input is a concern as I want to connect Cd player, dac, and potentially entry level tt soon.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[rikhav]

No issues asliarun -all suggestions welcome. I did consider cyclops, but single input is a concern as I want to connect Cd player, dac, and potentially entry level tt soon.
Cheers,
Sid

If you want to connect a TT, A-S2000 has an inbuilt phono as well

 

[sidvee]

If you want to connect a TT, A-S2000 has an inbuilt phono as well

Thanks Rikhav will consider the yammy as well.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[rikhav]

Hi Sid
Are you planning to buy it from India or US?

 

[jai1611]

I'd second the A-S2000 provided the Paradigms are not bright. I've heard the amp extensively with Dynaudios and the pairing works very well. Don't have much experience with Paradigms so can't say how the combo might sound.

 

[Dr.Bass]

Hi Sidvee, I have heard all of them. The MF is the worst of the lot. The exposure is the best of the lot. Rega falls somewhere in between. The MF has the typical hifi SS sound. Exposure is nice and sweet. However the Naim Nait 5i (if you can pull it off) is a totally different planet altogether compared to any of these. You should be able to get one used under 60k.

 

[srinisundar]

I have been researching integrated amplifiers for my bedroom based system. The source will be a musical fidelity xray cd player and xdac v3 DAC, along with a m2tech converter for FLAC files over my laptop. Speakers will be Paradigm Studio 20v3.

So far the shortlist stands at:
1. Rega Brio R
2. Exposure 2010s2
3. Musical Fidelity m3i


Cheers,
Sid

Here in the forum "aashish351" is using 3010s2 with Dali Ikon 2... May be he can chip in with the views.

 

[ranjeetrain]

Hi Sid, my vote goes to the Exposure from your list. Besides I want to add Myryad Z142 (auditioned it today and impressed with it's guts and voicing). Do audition it before taking the call. It's a very clean sounding machine for a very small price. Most importantly, since it will be a bedroom system, WAF is a factor I suppose. This amp will score very high on WAF.

Also, I want to add Primare I20/21/22 to your list. They are all great machines, just need to check if you like the synergy.

And, if you can stretch a bit, I saw a pre-owned Electrocompaniet ECI-3 on sale sometime ago. But I am sure even then it will be a bit north of your planned budget. If you want, I'll check if that's still available.

Here in the forum "aashish351" is using 3010s2 with Dali Ikon 2... May be he can chip in with the views.

With Ikon 6

 

[sidvee]

Hi Sid
Are you planning to buy it from India or US?

Rikhav,
I want to buy locally.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[sidvee]

I'd second the A-S2000 provided the Paradigms are not bright. I've heard the amp extensively with Dynaudios and the pairing works very well. Don't have much experience with Paradigms so can't say how the combo might sound.

Thanks Jai. The paradigms are laid back, so they should work.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[sidvee]

However the Naim Nait 5i (if you can pull it off) is a totally different planet altogether compared to any of these. You should be able to get one used under 60k.

Thanks Dr. Bass. Not sure if I will find this India though.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[sidvee]

Do audition it before taking the call.

Thanks Ranjeet. Audition is a problem. Most of these are not available in Hyderabad and do not want to make the effort to to travel for a second system component as it will be for casual listening only. So I am going to rely on FM's ears like yours and info. I can google.
Cheers,
Sid