Wanted: Integrated amp

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dragon1952
dragon1952 Posts: 4,896
edited February 2022 in Wanted (WTB) Classifieds
OK...I know lots of you guys have unused gear stashed all over your houses.
Possibly looking to downsize a bit and maybe go with a solid state integrated. No tubes please. Wanting to spend $1500 or less on a nice used piece such as Musical Fidelity, Classe, Creek, Krell, Plinius, etc. Something that sold for $2.5-$3K at one time and would still be considered audiophile. Prefer something at 100wpc or more @ 8ohms and 150-200wpc @ 4ohms. Speakers are Martin Logan Electromotion ESL, 6ohm impedance.
2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Inakustik Reference USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones

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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,619
    edited February 2022
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    I have a Marantz PM-14S1 for sale for $1,500. Original MSRP was $3k.

    https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/195440/marantz-reference-integrated
  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,896
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    Clipdat wrote: »
    I have a Marantz PM-14S1 for sale for $1,500. Original MSRP was $3k.

    https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/195440/marantz-reference-integrated

    Seems like a good price...a little less power than I would prefer. Can you describe the sound?
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Inakustik Reference USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,619
    edited February 2022
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    It has a lighter touch vs a brute force type approach. Extended highs and controlled lows, supple but not boosted midrange. Built in phono preamp seems to enhance the midrange and is super nice for vinyl listening.

    But the major performance attribute is the expansive sound and three dimensional imaging, lots of spatial cues. Elegant and refined.

    Also posted some listening impressions here: https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/comment/2602455/#Comment_2602455
  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,896
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    What's the difference between the PM-14S1 and PM-14S2?
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Inakustik Reference USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,619
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    They never made a PM-14S2 but they did make a PM-15S2, that model came first before the 14S1.
  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,896
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    No longer looking, thanks ;^ )
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Inakustik Reference USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,619
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    What did you decide on?
  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,896
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    A Krell S300i. It was on my list of possibilities but evidently some had issues so I was a little hesitant to fork out over $1K, plus the age factor, but this one has been in a system up until now and working fine so I said what the heck.
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Inakustik Reference USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,619
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    Cool, let us know what you think of it once you get it up and running!
  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,896
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    You bet. If I'm happy with it I may be putting my PS Audio Stellar S300 amp and EE Minimax pre up for sale. I've had tubes in my system for probably 16-17 yrs and I'm just ready to try something different.
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Inakustik Reference USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones