So I'm looking at integrated amps in the sub-40K range, and I'm fairly happy with the following I've heard so far:
1. Rega Brio R (SRP 33.5K);
2. Cayin LA 34 (SRP 39K);
3. Rotel RA 12 (SRP 39K); and
4. NAD 326BEE (SRP 26K?).
I did #1 versus #4 first (paired with PSB Imagine XB with NAD 545BEE as source), a few days back, and came away impressed with the Brio R.
Today, I auditioned 1-3 and paired all the amps with the PSB Imagine XB (the only speaker available to approximate my Image B6) and the B&W CM1 S2. The source was a Cayin CD player.
To be fair, I know that the Brio R is less expensive than the Rotel and the Cayin, same with the XB versus the B&W.
My impressions - the Cayin sounded best with vocals-heavy music (like the Audiophile collections). The Rotel sounded great if playing more "modern" music (like Adele, or R&B). (P.S. The Rotel sounded really great with the B&W
, and I forgot to play the BRio R with the modern music).
All in all, I'm still confused about what to choose
The other thing which i realized is that before I decide what amp to buy, I have to decide if I'm keeping my PSB Image B6 as my speaker for stereo-listening.
Next up:
1. NAD 356Bee;
2. Marantz PM6005.
Any others?
Other info: I'll be using the amp with the following sources - NAD 516BEE CD player, a Rega RP3 turntable and a Macbook Air/Note 3 via NAD Wireless USB DAC - and my PSB Image B6.
Edit as of 2 April:
Updated line-up of sub-40K integrated amps:
1. Rega Brio R (SRP 33.5K);
2. Cayin LA 34 (SRP 39K);
3. Rotel RA 12 (SRP 39K);
4. NAD 326BEE (SRP 26K?)
5. NAD 356BEE (SRP ?);
6. Marantz PM 6005 (SRP 30K);
7. Marantz PM 8004 (?);
8. Rotel RA-1520 (SRP 45K?)
9. Cambridge Audio 651A (?).