Best Intergrated Under 3k

The NAD Masters is supposed to be very good. My favorite is Musical Fidelity.

I own the NAD Masters M3. It is an amazing amp, very controlled, transparent and powerful sound with a nice warmth that many people here tend to prefer.

You can even use one of the pre outs for HT bypass function

For $3K you can get Parasound Halo seperates...

$3K would get you the larger amplifier; I ordered the Halo with the smaller amplifier and the tuner.

Cheap controls???
I looked at a Krell integrated amplifier; and, it's buttons were tiny.

Another option is the McIntosh integrated...

Even the entry-level Cambridge Audio Azur integrated is fantastic. For only half your budget, you could get their top-of-the-line Azur 840A. I am hard put to imagine an integrated getting any better than that.

Correction: it is now on sale for only $1000. That makes it one of the best deals in 2-ch audio today!

It would greatly depend on your speakers.

Primare or PrimaLuna are good choices also for under 3K.

Imho, all these suggestions so far are way over priced.

This int http://www.pacificvalve.us/BDC222.html will drive those MA's easily...

When I worked for a Hifi dealer, these were my favorites in order:

1. Krell KAV-400xi (Easily the best intergrated I've heard under $5K)
2. Cambridge Audio 840A
3. NAD M3

Always thought the creek products were over priced and over praised. Plinius integrateds were nice, like the 8200, but haven't heard the new stuff. Classe's new integrated is my favorite integrated amplifier, but beyond your budget. The three above have been listened to on a daily basis, on many different speakers. Again, I was working at a hifi shop at the time. I think every integrated over $1K should have a unity gain stage (Theater bypass ciruit).

Narrow, your choices to 3 and starting taking loaners out. The 3 I mentioned sound very different and based on your anyone's tastes should be a very easy decision. Specs wise, the krell mops the floor with the others, but specs go out the door, if you don't like the way it sounds.

As a dealer I might be somewhat biased, but I own and recommend these for a reason.

First, my favorite in the category you are looking is Musical Fidelity. A very musical piece with a lot of power to drive just about any speaker. Drop dead gorgeous too.

Secondly, I cannot argue with the value of the Parasound Halo's. The Halo P3/A21 is fantastic. This combo has a very neutral sound to it, has plenty of power, it looks great, excellent warranty, and the reputation of Parasound is outstanding.

Both in my opinion distance themselves from the Krell 400. But, admittedly, it's a nice unit as well.

Never been a NAD fan, but I have to hand it to the Masters series. It's not your average NAD product.

As for the Cambridge, it's for the budget minded and cannot be mistaken for a high end piece. But, in it's price category, it's the only thing I would recommend since Onix Electronics isn't around any longer.

Hope that helps.

Try Primare or Plinius

You are in luck - this Primare I30 is available at Audiogon:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ran&1210354064

Based on this review - it's a winner:

http://www.sumikoaudio.net/primare/a...0_WHF_2005.pdf

If you consider used gear, take a peek at these:

Jeff Rowland Concentra-2, Concentra-1
Mark Levinson 383
BAT VK-300X-SE
Plinius 9200

- Andy

Very happy to hear you are enjoying your NAD Masters M3. I am considering adding the M3 to my other Masters gear (M15/M25), but HT bypass is very important to me. Can you please elaborate on how to use one of the pre outs for HT bypass. I asked NAD Technical support but they have been of no help.

With respect to all the high priced suggestions so far, has anybody looked at the spkrs that Buddahead owns?

Would it not make more sense to allocate more cash towards moving up to into the MA Sig line?...versus spending thousands on an amp?

I did a fair bit of search before deciding on my integrated amp (and I had a budget similar to yours - altough I did try some of the more expensive gear):

Here are the products I considered:

- Rega Mira 3
- Primare I21, I30
- Roksan Kandy, Caspian
- Marantz 15si
- Cyrus 6vs2 and 8vs2
- Creek 5350SE, Destiny
- Cambridge Audio (740A, 840A)
- Densen B110, B150
- T&A (PA 1230R)
- Rotel RA1062, RA1070
- Music Fidelity A3.2, X series
- Several others (including chinese brands like Opera Consonance, Vincent etc.)

Most of the products above are mid to high end of the spectrum.

The final decision should be based on how the amp integrates with the rest of your gear (eg. Speakers etc.) as well as your own preference of sound.

I ended up buying Densen B-110 which, in my opinion, is one of the best value for money..

Here's the reason I bought it:

(a) Exceptional sound - a terrific combination of finesse and power
(b) Densen excels at driving speakers of difficult load
(c) Very well damped - has a tight control over bass
(d) Very elegant looks (minimalist, cool and very chic)
(e) Can be easily upgraded (to B-150) if I so choose. Has a life-time warranty
(f) It works very well with my speakers and in my room - I love the sound

check out the manufacturer website:
http://www.densen.dk/index.php?page=...s&produkt=b110

Densen is very popular in Europe. Unfortunately, not very commonly available in the US (not sure where you are located).

Also, I have heard Monitor Audio RS6 (fine speakers! - if you are in Europe, make sure you audition Densen)..

Good luck!

AJ

I would also consider the Exposure 2010S integrated with phono card (if you plan on listening to vinyl). That is about $1600 dollars I think. I've listened or demo'd the Rega, Cambridge Audio and NAD. In my opinion, the Exposure is better. I use mine with Stirling LS3/5A's and a Project turntable in a smallish room. The sound is magnificant, very detailed, smooth and the imaging is superb. For about $4K it is a wonderful system. Oh, I forgot if you like tubes, you may also want to listen to the Rogue integrated amp - also very nice and detailed. Hope this helps.

mooneycj

According to the Densen website there is no distributor in the US, and no used pieces are listed at Audiogon.

You can pick this up on Audiogon for around $3000.00. Exellent build quality, excellent customer service, best of both worlds with tube pre-amp and powerful solid-state amp section, wonderful user interface and remote control.

The BAT is a good piece. I almost bought one. I ended up going with a Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 300. It also has a tube preamp section. I used it to drive magnepan 3.6R's and it was a match made in heaven.

It was a very sad day when I moved into a smaller place and sold it all. I'm currently using an MF A-5 and I like it a lot. Not the same magic as the mag/tri-vista combo but sounds better than the NAD S300 I still have lying around.

would this be a good buy for my system? Im looking for the best neutral intergrated with HT bypass.
I have Salk Song towers , Song center, 4 song surrounds and a PS3. I will add a ht processor and amp later.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ran&1213748669

I mentioned this in the other thread you posted this in as well, but your link is not working.

Try and avoid duplicate posting whenever possible.

Sorry for the bad link and duplicate. Sometimes though you dont get any response in threads. The piece is a Musical fidelity A5 INT L2 mod for 1600.00 from underwood HI. It say's it's new. That seems a little too good to be true. But they have a stellar ranking.

buddahead, I have found in my demoing that musical fidelity to make a very nice pairing with monitor audio speakers. the rs6 would appreciate a bit of grunt !

if going back an mf a3.2 would be a minimum, an a308 would be a very nice pick as well. if youve seen one it is quite something in a 2ch integrated. in more recent an a3.5 would be an absolute minimum. and an a5 if an find one would be really the ultimate !

a quite a range of amps there for sure, but see what you can find and if get the chance do check em out.

another option is the arcam a90 which is a very nice integrated thats fully featured, the primare i30 mentioned is superb as well, very well engineered. though havent heard with ma speakers to comment.

not heard the nad master series with ma's either but also a very well engineered item that one. certainly some lovely choices for you to check out by the looks !