Integrated Amps

jmwest1

Hi all! I haven't posted much under this username, but I've been here for years under aiconn. I'm looking at purchasing an integrated amp. I've narrowed it down to a Peachtree Nova 150 or Musical Fidelity A3. I'm familiar with the Peachtree sound, but I've not heard anything from Musical Fidelity. Would someone comment on the choices, or throw out something else? BTW, my budget is $1000.

jbreezy5

Not a fan of Peachtree, myself; most guys on here speak well of Musical Fidelity.

rooftop59

jmwest1 wrote: »

Hi all! I haven't posted much under this username, but I've been here for years under aiconn. I'm looking at purchasing an integrated amp. I've narrowed it down to a Peachtree Nova 150 or Musical Fidelity A3. I'm familiar with the Peachtree sound, but I've not heard anything from Musical Fidelity. Would someone comment on the choices, or throw out something else? BTW, my budget is $1000.

Love my musical fidelity A308! By far the best integrated I’ve had, although I haven’t had a lot. Cambridge Azur 851a and a peachtree nova 220se are probably the other two contenders, and although I really enjoyed the original peachtree nova, the 220se couldn’t compete with the Cambridge, and the Cambridge couldn’t compete with the MF imho…

dromunds

Rooftop is correct. I also have the MF A308 and it’s also the best integrated I’ve had. I am definitely a Musical Fidelity fan. Mine is going nowhere unless I can move up the MF line.

WLDock

I've been looking at $1K and under integrated with a home theater bypass function. The super hyped Audiolab 6000a was on my list as well as the Musical Fidelity M2si. I've never demoed either one so the choice is tough. Then there were some deals here and there that I missed out on. So, I'm, back where I started. I'm looking at preamps and DACs mated with a 200w per channel B&K amp as an option vs. an integrated.

Still, that dual mono A3 that you are looking at might be hard to top if you are getting at a good price given their age. Some that found it forward and bright have been able to tame the sound to their liking with cables an interconnects. Go for it!

jmwest1

While ingesting everyone's suggestions and deciding I was thrown a curveball. Years ago my 2 channel system was comprised of a Cambridge Audio Azur 640a integrated, a 640c disc spinner, and Totem Rainmaker speakers. When I moved into the current house I got a wild hair and sold that stuff off to fund a home theater setup. It was nice, but I really missed what I had before. Over time I picked up a PS Audio SGC DAC and a pair of Quad 12L active monitors, but they just didn't do it for me.

The curveball was a pair of Totem Rainmakers popped up at a great price. So I jumped on them. There went a third of my budget. Within a couple of days I saw a Cambridge Audio Azur 651a for sale at another great price. I picked that up, and a pair of bi-wire speaker cables. I am getting old, but I think it sounds better than my old rig.

Thanks for the input on the integrated amps. At some point, most likely when I hit the lottery, I'm going after a Musical Fidelity M5si. I still have about a third of my original budget so maybe it'll come sooner.

mikejedi0619

I love my Yamaha AS2200. I would heartily recommend a used AS1000 or 2000 which should be in that price range and should have no issues driving your speaks

Hope this helps

Sitka

I too have a Yamaha AS2200 and the sound is amazing, especially with well recorded hi-def tracks. I'd look into the Yamaha AS801 which includes a built-in DAC and is in your budget. The AS1200 is a step up and unlike the 801 it's pure analog - no DSP or digital anything. You can find used 1200's in your price range on ebay.