Upgrading Integrated Amp

Hear Here said:

Jonoshal - We have little idea of your budget but you obviously prefer a simple system rather than lots of boxes connected by lots of over-priced cables. You still use vinyl but mainly "stream from your phone". How frightful especially when you say "I'm a music lover but not a hi-fi expert"

If you're love music you deserve better than your phone to supply it!

You mention a NAD product amongst others. Could I suggest a probably more costly NAD product that should offer much better sound and allow you to upgrade your speakers in the future without having to retrace your amplifier decision?

The new (and not quite yet available) NAD M33 is an integrated amp with DAC built in, a phono stage for your vinyl, lots of digital and analogue inputs, a headphone output (and subwoofer if you ever go that route), a built-in streamer (ditch the phone), the excellent and intuitive BluOS app control (use your phone, tablet or PC) and even room correction. All in one box for a reasonable price - about $5000, £4000 or €4000. Oh yes, another cheeky feature is you can shout at it if connected to an Alexa or similar - if you have such an annoying device in your home! It has a great colour LED display to show what you're listening to and a lovely old-fashioned big volume control where it should be - on the front of the unit - and an equally old-fashioned but so useful IR remote control.

If you can't wait or stretch to that cost, look at the recently discontinued NAD M32. All the features of the M33 apart from room correction and Alexa control, although you'll have to add the BluOS module for music streaming. They will become available for sensible prices used as the M33 will tempt owners such as myself to upgrade. Look for a used one with the BluOS module fitted.


Peter

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CSG said:

You haven't mentioned what phone you have or budget but those speakers need a minimum of 25 watts which isn't much. I would suggest something like the Marantz PM6006 or PM8006 which both have great phono stages for most MM carts and are superb middling cost integrated amps.

FWIW, in my living room, I run a PM8004 (earlier model) and, while I have a Technics turntable hooked up to the phono input of the amp, most of my listening is streaming through an iPad Mini II which I used to run from the headphone out to the RCA ins on the amp. Then I learned I could go from the lightning port to the USB in on my Marantz CD6004 CD player. This does two things, 1) it runs the signal through the CD's DAC and, 2) charges the iPad when the CD is on. I never noticed a aural difference between the two set-ups but the latter is certainly more convenient. My speakers in this system are the NHT SuperOne 2.1's, an acoustic suspension speaker with incredible performance, especially if you're bass adverse like me. If you need the full spectrum, a sub is always an option.

More info will probably help others give you their opinions but based on the two amps you list, a Marantz PM8006 which is made in Japan is worth a very serious look IMO. It has plenty of power and is an absolutely wonderful piece of gear.

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