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High WAF, simple, integrated amplifier

I am in search of an integrated amplifier for my girlfriend who enjoys my high(er) end toys but doesn't want to deal with the sheer size of such parts. It has gotten me thinking about what integrated amps exist that are small and at least mildly attractive; a sort of iPod of integrateds. I have not come up with many since it seems that even basic integrated amplifiers suffer from mission creep.

Ideally an amplifier for her (and I suspect many people just outside the hifi community) is simple to operate with just a few input devices. No need for playing with setups, just good sound into the one pair of speakers. Can anyone point out an integrated amp that only has 2-3 line level inputs, NO phono stage, NO tape loops, minimal if any tone control? A remote for volume would be good but not required. A front mini jack for iPod/computer input would also be great but not required so long as a 3rd line input is available. The ability to select between two pairs of speakers could be nice if we are going to get really crazy but is certainly not required.

The box should be less than 12" wide since rack width is unnecessary for an amp with such limited features and low power. I would assume 40-50W into 8 ohm is fine, but with such a simple box, the entire space can be dedicated to the amplification stages so I could see it being quite happy with a wide range of impedances. The current goal is to power some decent stand mounted bookshelf speakers like Paradigm Atoms.

Cost is up in the air I suppose, but to make it appealing to those just outside the hifi community I assume that entry level hifi price is in order, maybe $300?

Does such a thing exist? I know there are probably some amazing high end parts like this, possibly tubed, but that is not the goal here.
antistrange
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sfar
1,352 posts
 
I own the NuForce Icon that Rcrerar recommended and it does sound as if it would meet most of your requirements. It's beautifully designed, versatile and sounds great. No remote control and only 12 watts of power but in a smallish room with efficient speakers the sound is quite remarkable.

Another possibility might be the new Cambridge Audio Sonata system. I haven't heard it but it's small and looks to be designed with someone like your girlfriend in mind.
peter_s
1,088 posts
 
Look for a used peachtree decco at the $400 or $500 level. Very nice design, does all you ask and more.
antistrange OP
3 posts
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I haven't even heard of several. There seems to be some focus on the $300. I mainly put that out there as what I consider the threshold for intro hifi. Not Best Buy garbage, but not what many here might consider hifi. Lets call it midfi. More than anything I was just surprised it was so hard to find something of this type short of crazy art tube amps. I know the width request is odd and that ~17" is the standard for rack width, but most people dont use a rack. I suspect that even holds true on this forum.

New or used doesn't matter much to me. If some engineer sold something like this out of his garage in the 70s, that is just fine with me. The goal here is just easy, good sound. No concert hall necessary and no nests of cables desired. Most people just want to hear a good song played well with no fuss. We are strange.
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onhwy61
4,163 posts
 
NAD makes a CD/receiver in a small footprint format w/ a front panel USB port. I think they can be had new for $400.
hgeifman
1,193 posts
 
What about the NaimUniti all-in-one audio player?

The NaimUniti is our first ever all-in-one audio player. It combines a ten-input, 50-Watt-perchannel integrated amplifier based on the award-winning NAIT 5i, a CD player based on the similarly acclaimed CD5i, and a digital-to-analogue converter with an output filter derived from that developed for the stunning CD5x. To all that, NaimUniti adds a high quality DAB/FM tuner, the ability to play streamed audio files wirelessly from UPnP™ servers or internet radio stations, and separate interface inputs for USB memory sticks carrying audio files, iPods and mp3 players. With the NaimUniti, you just need a pair of speakers.

http://www.naim-audio.com/products/naimuniti.html
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